Canadians are fast food salt junkies

In an article in the Montreal Gazette on Oct. 28, I learned that we Canadians are slowly poisoning ourselves with our excessive salt consumption. This dangerous trend can lead to a host of killer ailments...and we're not talking about the little bit of salt you put on your veges here. We're talking about the sodium content of fast food.

Here are few of the highlights from the article:

"Sodium is being added to the food supply at such high levels it's acting as a 'vascular system poison', said Kevin Willis, director of the Canadian Stroke Network. The result, a coalition of 17 leading health groups said, is an 'epidemic' of high blood pressure leading to strokes, heart disease, kidney failure, dementia and other chronic illnesses."

"According to federal figures, 90 per cent of men over 19, and 65 per cent of women exceed upper daily limits for sodium, and even small children are getting too much, with one-to 8-year olds consuming more than twice the recommended adequate daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of sodium per day."

"The average Canadian consumes about 3,500 milligrams of sodium per day. Some of the worst sodium-laden foods include pizza, submarines, hamburgers, hot dogs, soups, pasta, milk-based beverages, poultry dishes, cheese, cereals, beef and sauces."

"Already, products sold in Canada contain far more sodium than identical brands sold in other countries. Kellogg's Corn Pops, Rice Krispies and Special K cereals sold in Canada contain as much as 85 per cent more salt per serving than the same cereal purchased elsewhere."

So, my friends, stop being lazy little salt-lickers and get out the wok. Make time to shop, chop and prepare and your body will thank you for it.