Salty Life of Pie
With Men's Health the theme for the 2011 Salt Awareness Week, it seemed good timing to research just how much salt is in that men's favourite and ubiquitous snack at football grounds and pubs across the country: the meat pie. And the results were alarming!
The survey, conducted by campaign group CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) found a pie and mash meal from Wetherspoons contains 7.5g of salt - 125% the daily maximum recommendation of 6g and the equivalent of 15 packets of crisps!
526 pie, gravy and mash products from supermarkets, large chain pubs, cafes and takeaways were studied.
ALL the pie and mash meals contained more than 3g (half the daily maximum) and 5 contained more than 6g, including the biggest offender, the chicken and mushroom pie with mash, gravy and peas from Weatherspoons.
CASH decided to look at traditional meat dishes like pies as part of this years Salt Awareness campaign as they were identified as one of mens favourite foods.
The aim of the 2011 Week is to raise awareness amongst men of the dangers of eating too much salt.
In the UK, twice as many men as women die prematurely of heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Many of these deaths could have been prevented by having less sodium (the main component of regular salt) in their diet.
Full Press Release available at: http://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/news/surveys/2011/Pies/45989.html
Written: 22/03/2011
