*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Salt In Your Diet

Find out why having too much salt can be bad for you and how to cut down.

Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

It's easy to have too much salt (or sodium). Around three quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals.

It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or caf? meals and fast-food outlets.

Daily salt intake

Adults should have no more than 6g of salt a day (around 1 level teaspoon).

This includes the salt that's already in our food and the salt added during and after cooking.

Babies should not have much salt, because their kidneys are not fully developed and cannot process it.

Tips to reduce your salt intake

Do

try adding flavour to your food with herbs and spices, black pepper, garlic, chili or lemon juice instead of salt
limit the amount of salt you add when cooking and eating - try tasting your food before adding any extra salt to your meals
check food labels - look for products with green and amber colour-coded labels on the front of the packaging
choose lower-salt foods by checking the salt content on the back or side of the packaging
try low or reduced-salt versions of foods and sauces - for example, low salt soy sauce and stock cubes
buy tinned vegetables, pulses or fish in water instead of brine
eat salty foods less often or in small amounts - for example, cured meats and fish, cheese, olives and pickles
have healthier snacks, such as plain rice cakes, fruit, vegetable sticks or unsalted nuts
be aware that some dissolvable tablets, such as painkillers, vitamins or prescription medicines, may be high in salt - speak to your GP before changing any medicines

Don't

try not to use too many sauces that can be high in salt, such as soy sauce, gravy granules, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and brown sauce
do not have salt on the table if you're trying to cut down

Further information

NHS Healthier Families: Salt has more tips and information on foods that are high in salt
NHS Healthier Families: Recipes has healthy recipes you can try at home
Understanding food labels can help you choose foods that are low in salt

Check your blood pressure reading

Having too much salt can cause high blood pressure.

If you've had a recent blood pressure test, you can find out what the reading means.

Check your blood pressure reading

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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