Sodium daily allowances for every age
By Sue Mah
It’s true: we do need some sodium in our diets. Problem is, from kids to adults alike, Canadians tend to go overboard when it comes to the salty stuff. Take a look at how much sodium experts suggest we consume each day, and see how much we actually do consume. Yikes. See "Put the Pinch on Salt" in the Summer 2007 issue of The Health Journal print edition to find out how you can cut your sodium intake.
YOUR DAILY SODIUM INTAKE
AGE (both genders) | IDEAL How much sodium we need every day* | MAXIMUM Maximum amount of sodium that we should eat in a day* | REALITY How much sodium we’re really eating – not including the salt we add at the table or while cooking!** (rounded figures) | 1-2 years | 1000 mg | 1500 mg | 1900 mg (both genders) | 4-8 years | 1200 mg | 1900 mg | 2680 mg (both genders) | 9-50 years | 1500 mg | 2200-2300 mg | Males 3500-4100 mg | Females 2800-2960 mg | 51-70 years | 1300 mg | 2300 mg | 3300 mg | 2600 mg | Over age 70 | 1200 mg | 2300 mg | 2880 mg | 2300 mg |
*Dietary Reference Intakes. The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2006. ** Source: Sodium consumption at all ages. By Didier Garriguet. Health Reports Vol 18, No 2. May 2007. Statistics Canada, Catalogue 82-003
|
