Salt
Most people eat far too much salt – mainly from bread, sausage, cheese and ready meals.
Keep an eye on it with a plant-based dietKeep an eye on it when eating animal productsWhat the body needs it for
- Sodium regulates fluid balance
- Important for nerves and muscles
- Too much can raise blood pressure
How much you need
At most 6 g of salt per day (DGE). Average intake in Germany is considerably higher.
Where a lot of it is found
Content per 100 g, rounded. Values vary by variety and product.
- Soy sauceapprox. 14 g
- Salamiapprox. 4.5 g
- Cooked hamapprox. 2.5 g
- Hard cheeseapprox. 2 g
- Crispsapprox. 1.5 g
- Breadapprox. 1.2 g
How to make the most of it
- Use iodised salt at home, but sparingly.
- Season with herbs, spices, lemon and garlic.
- Cut down on sausage, cheese and ready meals – that is where most salt hides.
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More nutrients
Reference values according to the German Nutrition Society (DGE) for adults unless stated otherwise. DGE reference values