Cut salt for better health

New research published today from Consensus Action on Salt (CASH) reveals that there are unnecessary levels of salt hidden in butter and margarine.

The main findings of the survey are as follows;

• seven out of ten salted butters would receive a red traffic light for salt as well as for fat
• Less than four out of ten of butters and margarines meet the Department of Health’s 2012 Salt Targets
• Marks & Spencer Slightly Salted Softer Butter is SALTIER than its own Salted Farmhouse Butter
• Approximately three per cent of the of salt we eat comes from fat spreads, and ten per of fat and saturated fat

The survey looked at over 300 products, from all the leading supermarkets, and found that 62 per cent of fats and spreads have failed to achieve the 2012 salt targets set out by the Department of Health. On average people consume 11g fats and spread a day, however, whilst people are aware of the high fat content of fats and spreads and the risks linked to obesity, they rarely think about its contribution to their daily salt intake and their blood pressure.

Tips for making healthier choices;

• Opt for unsalted spreads and butters
• Think twice about diet spreads with less fat, they may have a higher salt content
• Have smaller portions or use it less often – a standard ‘portion’ is one catering pat of butter
• Opt for olive oil, canola (rapeseed) oil or other vegetable oils high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat when cooking, as they have no salt and less saturated fat than butter