Nearly 70% of commercial pre-packaged meals and savoury snacks for toddlers in the US have high levels of sodium, which may present long-term health risks, according to a new study.
The study was led by Joyce Maalouf, a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers first identified leading baby and toddler food brands using a nutritional database.
The researchers then analyzed the nutritional content of 572 different food products. The sodium level in each product was evaluated. A product with 210mg of sodium per serving was considered as 'high' in sodium.
According to the study, pre-packaged food for toddlers had higher sodium than the baby food.
The amount of sodium in some of the toddler meals was as high as 630 mg per serving - about 40% of the 1,500 mg daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. More than 70% of the toddler meals and snacks had more than 210 mg of sodium per serving,
Nearly all commercial foods for 4- to 12-month-olds were relatively low in sodium. Vegetable and meat baby foods were less salty than pasta options.
Commenting on the study results, Joyce Maalouf said that the children are consuming too much sodium.
This is a problem as much sodium in a child's diet can lead to high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, Maalouf added.
