How Much Sodium Are You Getting From Your Sandwich?

Brett Smith for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
Sandwiches are responsible for about one-fifth of the average American’s sodium intake, according to a new study from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the new study was part of the national “What We Eat in America NHANES 2009-2010” survey and it found that sandwiches comprised a much higher percentage of total sodium intake for the average American than previously believed.
The USDA researchers said the survey used a different coding system than past surveys which allowed for the reporting of various components of a sandwich. For example, a survey respondent eating a ham sandwich would be able to report specific amounts of bread, ham, tomato, cheese, mayonnaise, etc. The survey also used a single code for fast food sandwiches, like a quarter-pound cheese burger or turkey sub.
Previous research had used a single food code for sandwiches and this led to the conclusion that sandwiches represent only about 4 percent of total sodium intake.
“In 2009-2010, only about 20 percent of all sandwiches were represented by a single food code,” explained study author Rhonda Sebastian, a nutritionist at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). “For that reason, previously published estimates of sandwich contributions to sodium intake that were based on only single-code sandwiches are considerably underestimated.”
The current USDA guidelines, released in 2010, recommend a maximum daily intake of 2,300 milligrams of sodium. For adults over 50, African-Americans, and those with certain medical conditions, the USDA recommends a maximum daily sodium intake of only 1,500 milligrams. According to the new study, “Sandwiches alone contribute 30 percent of the less restrictive guideline and 46 percent of the stricter guideline.”
USDA scientists also discovered that people who reported consuming sandwiches had noticeably greater energy intake than those who did not. Those who ate a sandwich on the survey day took in an average of around 300 kilocalories over those who did not record eating a sandwich. Sandwich eaters also had greater overall sodium intake, averaging close to 600 milligrams daily greater than those who didn’t report eating a sandwich.
“The unanticipated finding that sandwich consumption is associated with higher overall intake of energy underscores the importance of making healthful choices of sandwich ingredients,” said study author Cecilia Wilkinson Enns, an ARS nutritionist. “Many sandwiches, such as burgers and franks, and common sandwich components, such as yeast breads, cheese, and cured meats, are among the top contributors not only to sodium but also to energy in the diets of adult Americans.”
The researchers also discovered higher levels of sodium intake among sandwich reporters correlated to the higher levels of daily energy intake.
“Regardless of sandwich reporting status, sodium density was approximately 1,700-1,800 mg per 1,000 kilocalories, suggesting that the higher sodium levels of sandwich reports are explained by their higher energy intake,” Sebastian said.
In light of the study results, the USDA recommends reconsidering sandwiches when looking to reduce both sodium and caloric intake.
“Due to sandwiches’ frequent consumption and considerable contributions to sodium intake, substituting lower-sodium for higher-sodium ingredients in sandwiches could significantly impact sodium intakes,” Wilkinson Enns said.
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