Fast food yields salt overdose, study says

By Anthony Clegg

Students are concerned over the shockingly high levels of salt
that many well-known restaurant chains are feeding patrons.

A recent study conducted by the Center for Science in the Public
Interest discovered meals at chain restaurants contained more than
three times the amount of salt recommended on a daily basis.

The suggested daily sodium intake maximum, according to U.S.
dietary guidelines, is roughly 2,300 mg.

“A majority of foods that they have on campus and that are
readily available to students are extremely unhealthy,” said Roger
McKinley, a seventh-year international business and marketing
student.

“With that kind of fact, it just defers me away from wanting to
eat food here period and wanting to go off campus to get something
healthier.”

Carl’s Jr., a popular campus restaurant, is one of these
high-sodium fast food providers. For “The Original Six Dollar
Burger” and a medium “Natural-Cut Fries,” the sodium amounts to
3,220 mg, almost 1,000 mg more than the suggested daily intake.

One serving of Panda Express’ mandarin chicken and chow mein
equals 2,365 mg of sodium.

At Subway, the six-inch black forest ham sandwich carries more
than 1,340 mg of sodium.Some students do not have any option but to
eat on campus.

“It is scaring me right now,” said David Dinh, a third-year
mechanical engineering student. “It is gearing me from eating
anything on campus now, but I live on campus, so that is a
different story.”

Other students are examining the repercussions of high sodium
diets.

“Fast foods with a lot of salt prevent people from training for
certain [sporting] activities throughout the year,” said Stephen
Follett, a third-year international business and marketing
student.

“It is pretty surprising,” said Bill Vuong, a first-year
management and human resources student. “I try to limit [my salt
intake] because you retain water if you are eating salt.”Other
health complications reach far beyond those of dehydration and
water retention.

“Having excess sodium in the diet directly contributes to the
development of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure,”
said Carla Jackson, a health education coordinator at the Wellness
Center.

“Having high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke
and kidney disease.”

Reach Anthony Clegg at lifestyle@thepolypost.com

Paul Rosales/Poly Post

Fast food yields salt overdose, study says