CDC: Most of your favorite grocery items are loaded with salt


As nutrition guidelines and groups like the American Heart Association continue to warn about the risks of eating too much sodium, many Americans are trying to keep their salt intake low.

However, it turns out salty foods are pretty hard to avoid — even when you're shopping at the grocery store rather than eating out.

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that much of what you find on your grocery store aisles is loaded with salt.

The study, released this week, took a look at the most popular items most people shop for when they go to the grocery store. What they found, is there are not a lot of options if you're being salt-savvy.

The study tracked nearly 4,000 of the most purchased products sold across the US.

Here’s a breakdown of the food categories and how they stacked up when it comes to sodium:

Pizza: There is a lot of salt in your favorite store bought pizza. A whopping 70 percent of products in this category exceed FDA standards for healthy sodium content.

Cold Cuts: These types of meats contain a lot of salt. The study found 50 to 70 percent f these products exceed sodium recommendations.

Soup: The study found 50 to 70 percent of these products exceeded sodium recommendations.

Sandwiches: The study found 50 to 70 percent of these products exceed sodium recommendations.

Poultry: The study found 10 to 25 percent of poultry products exceed FDA guidelines.

Bread: Most breads meet the standard. Only 10 percent of breads came in with too much sodium.

Cheese: Most cheeses meet the standards. Only 10 percent of cheese products came in with too much sodium.

Savory Snacks: Most savory snacks (chips, crackers, popcorn) meet the standards. Only 10 percent of products in this category came in with too much sodium.

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