Cut salt use by raising levels of awareness
While this is a positive development, we must get to the root of the problem. It is important to raise levels of awareness among students and parents about the risks of having too much salt in one’s diet, such as high blood pressure, which can lead to heart or kidney trouble.
Primary school students should be taught about the food pyramid and the importance of choosing food of high nutritional value. Older pupils should learn to read food labels so that they make wiser choices.
There should be talks at schools for parents as well as children, so that they can learn about the benefits of healthy eating and about other ways to season food instead of using salt, such as certain herbs. Also, parents should avoid taking the family out regularly to fast food restaurants.
Schools and parents play an integral role in helping children form healthy dietary habits.
If they start making sensible food choices at a young age, they will be more likely to make it a lifelong habit.