Readymade Meals and Snacks for Toddlers Contain Alarming Levels of Salt

One can't afford to relax by relying heavily on the readymade foods sold by top companies. According to a team of researchers, majority of the foods available in the market meant for toddlers - both meals and snacks - contain alarming levels of salt.

To check the salt content, researchers included more than 1,100 readymade food products for babies (aged below 1 year) and toddlers (aged between 1 and 3). Food that contained more than 210 mg of sodium per serving was considered to be high in sodium.

Compared to babies' foods, the meals meant for toddlers showed high levels of sodium content, with some containing even up to 630 mg of sodium per serving.

"Our concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child's diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods may develop early in life. The less sodium in an infant's or toddler's diet, the less he or she may want it when older," lead author of the study Joyce Maalouf said in a news release.

"Parents and other caregivers can read the nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods, to choose the healthiest options for their child."

Previous studies have shown the risks of depending too much on off-the-shelf baby foods available in the market. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Greenwich in April 2012 found that majority of the baby foods sold by popular brands do not contain the necessary levels of vital nutrients needed for the healthy growth of a baby.

The findings of the current study were presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention (EPI)/ Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism (NPAM) 2013 Scientific Sessions.

The daily intake of salt recommended for kids is 4g. According to health experts, very little salt is required to keep a child healthy. They emphasize the fact that they should eat a lesser amount of salt compared to adults.

According to World Action on Salt & Health (WASH), high salt intake at childhood can pave the way for many health problems, including blood pressure, osteoporosis, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma, stomach cancer and obesity.

Similar to the current study, a study conducted by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) in June 2012 found children's meals offered by major food chain restaurants like Nando's, Harvester and Wetherspoons containing high levels of salt, more than what they should have in an entire day.

Providing healthy snacks like fruits and yogurt other than crisps, switching ham and cheese sandwiches for chicken or tuna and monitoring the salt levels of sauces, bread and cereals helps in reducing salt intake of kids, WASH recommends.