3-minute read Children need some salt in their diet for healthy nerves and muscles

but too much salt can increase their risk of health problems. There are a few
simple ways to help to reduce your child’s salt intake. Salt is made up of the
elements sodium and chloride — which are both essential for proper cell function in
our body. We only need a small amount of salt for good health. Children in
Australia now consume more salt than is recommended. Too much salt can cause health
problems in people of any age, including young children. For example, excess salt
increases the risk of respiratory problems, including asthma. It can also increase
the risk of osteoporosis and high blood pressure later in life. Salt also increases
thirst. If you satisfy that thirst with sugary drinks, it can increase the risk of
gaining too much weight. About 80% of the salt you eat comes from salt in processed
foods. About 20% is added in cooking and at the table. But you get as much sodium
as you need from foods like milk, yoghurt, eggs, meat, fish and poultry. There is
no need to add salt to babies’ food. There are many varieties of salt, including
sea salt, rock salt, Celtic salt, vegetable salt, pink salt and chicken salt. All
these products are basically salt. If anybody claims they’re ‘good for you’,
they’re wrong. Any minerals they have are in such tiny quantities they won’t help.
Iodised salt is important in some areas of the world where iodine deficiency is
common. In Australia, salt used in making bread must be iodised and this provides
enough iodine to meet almost all children’s needs. You can find out how much sodium
is in a range of packaged and take-away foods at Food Standards Australia New
Zealand. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of
healthdirect content. Last reviewed: March 2020