Excess dietary sodium increases blood pressure and is a health risk. High Blood pressure is the  leading risk factor for stroke and  death. The 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey demonstrated a steady increase, since 2003, in the number of Canadians reporting that they have hypertension, with the number now approaching 5 million. This trend may be reduced by increasing awareness of the risks of excessive sodium intake and providing individuals with tools to help reduce their intake.

The Ontario Stroke Network has developed several resources for use by health counselors and the public to achieve a lower sodium-filled diet. Resources available online include: a brochure and accompanying poster titled, How to Reduce Sodium in Your Diet.   These easy-to-read resources outline ten practical tips for decreasing dietary salt, highlight the maximum recommended daily intake of sodium of 1500 mg., and provide advice on reading labels and avoiding common high-sodium foods.

The Ontario Stroke Network has also developed Guidelines for Healthy Food Selection at Meetings and Events to support organizations with dietary planning. This easy to follow guideline has been endorsed by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the Cardiac Care Network. The Ontario Stroke Network encourages organizations to adopt and use these guidelines. If, by sharing these guidelines with potential caterers, the demand for health options is increased, it may be possible to influence the availability of healthy, reasonably priced menu choices at catered events.

All of these resources are available to download and print in the What’s New section of the website of the Ontario Stroke Network  http://ontario stroke network.ca