FOOD FOR KIDS: Salt Can Be Bad For Kids Too

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE in children has doubled in the last 20 years and it could be due to too much salt. A recent survey of studies showed that reducing children's salt intake can lower their blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease later in life, says Consensus Action on Salt and Health.

Processed food is a major culprit, though it's now easier to find lower salt content products (check the label). A six-year-old should have no more than 3g of salt a day, so try to limit intake to lg for each main meal and avoid adding salt when cooking.


Fibre: Get them Young


Are you getting enough fibre? Then apparently you're the exception. A recent survey by the Gut Foundation found that only one in ten children currently has a high-fibre breakfast cereal or even one piece of fruit a day. And that's not setting up good habits for later life, with two-thirds of adults and children surveyed already suffering abdominal symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation or pain. To get sufficient daily fibre, you need to eat at least three servings of veggies, two of fruit and a high-fibre breakfast cereal to keep your gut in shape and stave off future problems.

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