Recommended sodium intake by age
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How much salt per day for a woman
What does 1,500 mg of sodium look like...
Salt in your diet
Find out why having too much salt can be bad for you and how to cut down.
Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
It's easy to have too much salt (or sodium).
Around three quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals.
It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast-food outlets.
Daily salt intake
Adults should have no more than 6g of salt a day (around 1 level teaspoon).
This includes the salt that’s already in our food and the salt added during and after cooking.
| Age | Amount |
|---|---|
11 years old and over | No more than 6g (around 1 teaspoon) |
7 to 10 years old | No more than 5g |
4 to 6 years old | No more than 3g |
1 to 3 years old | No more than 2g |
Under 1 year old | Less than 1g |
Babies should not have much salt, because their kidneys are not fully developed and cannot process it.
Read more about food to avoid giving babies and young chi
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