How much sodium should my family have?

We hear often in the US we consume too much salt. Recommendations on daily intake have changed over the years. On average most adults and children consume approximately 3400 milligrams of sodium each day. This is approximately three times the daily recommended allowance. The guidelines on sodium intake are as follows:

- 1000 mg for children aged 1 to 3

- 1200 mg for children aged 4 to 8

- 1500 mg for people aged 9 to 50

- 1300 mg for adults aged 51 to 70

- 1200 mg for seniors aged 70+

How Food Label Reference Values (DV) Compare to the Nutritional Recommendations for Children   Nutrient    DV  Nutrient Recommendations by Age (DRI)* 2 - 3 years 4 - 8 years 9 - 13 years 14 - 18 yr girls 14 - 18 yr boys Protein (grams) 50 13 19 34 46 52 Iron (mg) 18 7 10 8 15 11 Calcium (mg) 1,000 500 800 1300 1300 1300 Vitamin A (IU) 5000 1000 1333 2000 2333 3000 Vitamin C (mg) 60 15 25 45 65 75 Fiber (g) 23 14 - 19 19 - 23 23- 28 (girls) 25- 31 (boys) 23 31-34 Sodium (mg) 2400 1000- 1500 1200- 1900 1500-2200 1500-2300 1500-2300 Cholesterol (mg) 300 <300 for over age 2 <300 <300 <300 <300 Total Fat (g)** 65 33 - 54 (30 -35% of calories) 39 - 62 (25 - 35% of calories) 62 - 85 (25 - 35% calories) 55 - 78 (25 - 35% calories) 61 - 95 (25 - 35% of calories) Saturated Fat (g)** 20 12 - 16 (> age 2 ) (<10% calories) 16 to 18 (<10% calories) girls: 18-22 boys: 20-24 (<10% calories) 22 (<10% calories) 24 - 27 (<10% calories) Calories*** 2000  1000 - 1400 (2-3 years) 1400-1600 girls: 1600-2000 boys: 1800-2200 2000 2200- 2400 Source: 1999 - 2002 Dietary Reference Intakes, Institutes of Medicine 2005 Dietary Guidelines ©Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine               Last modified: August 14, 2007 *Sodium: The higher number in each age category reflects the Upper Limit (maximum level that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effect) recommended by the Institutes of Medicine. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommended Americans consumer less than 2300 mg. (approximately 1 tsp.) of sodium/day and point out that Approximately 75 percent is derived from salt added by manufacturers. The average intake in the United States is between 4,000 and 5,000 milligrams of sodium per day. Source: IOM 2004 Dietary Reference Intakes: Electrolytes and Water Also see: 2005 Dietary Guidelines form Americans: Sodium & Potassium 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Food Label Makes Good Eating Easier Food label Education Program for Teens