Health warning over salty salads
Some salads contain unhealthy amounts of salt
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Tuesday, 31, Jul 2007 10:38
Eating a salad or pasta dish at lunchtime may not be as healthy as people think, as new research shows some contain more salt than a Big Mac and small French fries.
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) studied 156 ready-made salads and pasta bowls from nine high street retailers, three coffee shops and two fast-food outlets.
The Food Standards Agency advises people to eat no more than 6g of salt a day as increased levels have been associated with high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of stroke and premature death from cardiovascular disease.
Although Cash found that the average salad and pasta bowl contained 1.4g of salt, nearly one-fifth of all products surveyed contained more salt than acceptable for one meal (2g).
EAT's Thai noodle salad contained the highest level of salt at 4.4g per portion, providing 74 per cent of an adult's daily salt limit.
McDonald's grilled chicken Caesar salad with low fat Caesar dressing contains 3.3g of salt, a third more than the burger meal option.
While some salads on their own are healthy, the choice of dressing could add an additional gram of salt to the meal. Burger King's tomato and basil dressing adds just 0.1g while the thousand island dressing adds 1.1g to the meal.
"Many people think of a salad as a healthy lunch," said Professor Graham MacGregor, Cash chairman and professor of cardiovascular medicine.
"And in many cases this is true and we would encourage people to look out for low salt, low fat salads as a good lunchtime option. However, our research shows that there are some salads out there which really ought to carry a health warning, rather than be thought of as a healthy option."
It is estimated that reducing salt intake by 2g to 3g per day can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a quarter.
Commenting on Cash's study, Alex Callaghan, policy officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Shoppers should not take this report as a reason not to eat salads and pasta bowls, but as proof of the need to check the contents of the food they pick up off the shelves.
"We urgently need the traffic light food labelling system to be embraced by all in the food industry, making it easier for people to quickly identify high levels of salt, saturated fat and sugar in the food they choose."
Saltiest salad and pasta bowls surveyed
1. EAT's Thai noodle salad – 4.4g
2. Tesco's tuna and sweetcorn pasta snack – 3.7g
3. EAT's smoked mackerel superfood – 3.5g
4. McDonald's crispy chicken Caesar salad with low fat Caesar dressing – 3.5g
5. McDonald's grilled chicken Caesar salad with low fat Caesar dressing – 3.3g
6. EAT's spicy chicken noodles – 3.0g
7. Morrisons' chicken and bacon pasta – 3.0g
8. Morrisons' tuna pasta – 3.0 g
9. Somerfield cheese and tomato pasta snack – 3.0g
10. Somerfield chicken and bacon pasta snack – 3.0g