Toddler meals are loaded with salt: study

A new study suggests that toddlers may be eating far too much salt if they regularly consume preprepared meals.

Nearly 75 percent of commercial pre-packaged meals and savory snacks for toddlers are too high in sodium, according to new research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers compared the sodium content per serving of 1,115 US products for babies and toddlers using data on major and private label brands. Their study was presented at the American Heart Association's latest scientific sessions, going on now in New Orleans.

Toddler meals had significantly higher amounts of sodium than baby meals, and the amount of sodium in some of the toddler meals was as high as 630 mg per serving -- about 40 percent of the 1,500 mg daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. The foods with the most sodium were savory snacks and meals for toddlers.

"Our concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child's diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods may develop early in life," says lead author Joyce Maalouf.

"Parents and other caregivers can read the nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods, to choose the healthiest options for their child," she adds.

Experts recommend that if parents are going to buy pre-packaged foods, check the label and don't purchase items that contain more than 100 milligrams of sodium.