Public Health Announces March 2012 is Nutrition Month
Written by admin, March 1, 2012
March 1, 2012 – The Peterborough Public Health together with local Registered Dietitians launched Nutrition Month today by encouraging individuals and families to reduce their sodium intake.
Sodium is a nutrient found in table salt and many foods. While your body needs some sodium to function, too much may lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease.
“We all need some sodium, but most Canadians eat about 3400 mg per day. This is more than double the amount of sodium we need,” said Erica Diamond, RD, Public Health Nutritionist at Public Health. “Adults need only 1500 mg of sodium in our diets each day. Sodium is not only present in processed foods like deli meats, frozen dinners and pickles. It is also hidden in bread and bakery products, as well as soups and sauces that may not even taste salty.”
Residents are encouraged to try out the online Salt-o-meter which shows how quickly sodium in our diets can add up. It is available by visiting www.theglobeandmail.com/special-reports/hard-to-shake/salt-o-meter/article1187915/ .
To help you make the healthiest food choices possible, Registered Dietitians offered the following suggestions to help local residents lower the amount of sodium they consume:
At home:
- Prepare your own meals more often; find quick and easy recipes by visiting Meals in Minutes on Public Health website (Meals in Minutes)
At restaurants:
- Check the nutrition information of menu items before you order and choose foods with less sodium. This information may be in a poster or pamphlet at the restaurant or on the restaurant’s website. Ask for your meal to be cooked without salt or monosodium glutamate (MSG), a seasoning that is very high in sodium.
At the grocery store:
- Buy fewer processed or packaged foods and fill your cart with fresh food.
About Registered Dietitians:
For one-to-one nutrition counseling at no cost in Peterborough, residents can contact their Family Health Team. Registered Dietitians are one of the many health professionals accessible through their family physician.
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are uniquely trained food and nutrition experts, who work in hospitals, Family Health teams, public health units, health clinics, workplaces, private practice, food industry and universities. Look for the initials “RD” to know that you have linked with a trusted and accredited expert for food and nutrition advice. A Registered Dietitian is the smart choice for nutrition advice.
For more information on this topic:
EatRight Ontario – www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Heart-Health/Cut-out-the-Salt.aspx
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For further information, please contact:
Erica Diamond
Public Health Nutritionist
(705) 743-1000, ext. 361