Sodium Intake in Children

The rise in the sodium intake in children has gotten higher over the past two years.

Children now have the ability to sometimes command to their parents what they want to eat and what they do not. Most of the time its usually fast food, which entails chicken nuggets, pizza, French fries and more. Giving in to your child needs everyday for what seems as a quick after school snack could possibly hurt your child in the long run.

Heather Fisher, registered dietician, said during our interview that trying to get your child to make their lunch with you could be fun. Cut their sandwiches in cool shapes and designs. And also don’t just give them turkey and ham because that alone can be salty and boring.

If you want your child to be healthy, there are other alternatives besides candy, chips and cookies. Give them fresh veggies with a side of ranch or blue cheese. Or make them a bag of trail mix with unsalted peanuts or cashews and add M&M’s and raisins to the bag to give them the best of both worlds. 

Most fathers and mothers are so young these days that they don’t know how to cook a healthy home cooked meal for themselves or their child. While interviewing DeMorio Waymon, single father to a one- year-old said, his son eats exactly what he eats. Usually their food options are McDonalds, Burger King and pizza.

Some of the top leading food sources is pizza, cheese, pasta, breads and cold cuts. The general amount of sodium should be no more than 2,300 mg a day. And if your child is already diabetic or have kidney disease then it should be no more than 1,500 mg a day.

Not paying attention to what your child consumes on the daily could set them up for hypertension and heart disease. Start feeding your child meals that will help them health wise now and in the long run. Your child is an example of who you are and sometimes what you do.

If they see you only eat out five to seven times a week, then that is exactly what they will do. Lead by example and make life long changes now for the near and far future.