Take it with just a pinch of salt

Passers-by queued outside the Health Ministry in Valletta yesterday to get their blood pressure and body mass index checked as part of World Salt Awareness Week.

“Nature produces enough salt in the food we eat,” Health Minister Joe Cassar said, advising people to only supplement that with a pinch, which translates into just five grams of salt.

Although Maltese like salty foods, a diet high in salt had its consequences, he added, pointing to high blood pressure as a main outcome. This, in turn, was known to increase people’s chances of suffering heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, salty foods increased the risk of osteoporosis, obesity and stomach cancer and worsened the symptoms of asthma.

Referring to a 2002 study, the minister said 47 per cent of the population used salt when cooking and a quarter added salt to food on the table.

“It is all a matter of lifestyle. Speaking for myself, I keep the salt shaker off the table,” Dr Cassar said.

Processed foods were known to contain a high amount of salt, he said, pointing out that the government encouraged producers of such foods to decrease their salt content.

Health promotion director Charmaine Gauci advised people to read food labels and be more aware of what they were eating. She encouraged those present to have their blood pressure and body mass index checked and pointed out this could also be done at health centres.

For more information visit www.ehealth.gov.mt.

Factbox

Foods with high salt content:

• Anchovies
• Ham
• Salted nuts
• Bacon
• Salted fish
• Olives
• Noodle snack pots
• Fish/chicken in breadcrumbs
• Soy sauce
• Crisps
• Salami
• Cheese

Foods with low salt content:

• Pasta and rice
• Unsalted nuts
• Fromage frais
• Legumes
• Porridge oats
• Low-salt cheeses like mozzarella and emmenthal
• Fruit and vegetables
• Eggs
• Fresh fish
• Yoghurt
• Fresh meat and poultry

Source: World Action on Salt and Health