Many Foods Contribute Sodium in Toddlers’ and Preschoolers’ Diets: Data from the 2016 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS)

Abstract

List the top sources of sodium in the diets of toddler and preschool-aged children in the United States. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting foods/beverages high in sodium for children under age 2 years, citing salty snacks, commercial toddler foods and processed meats as sodium sources. The guidelines recommend children ages 2-3 years reduce sodium intake if above 1200mg/day. FITS 2016 reported mean sodium intakes are 1448mg/day (age 1 year), 1978mg/day (age 2 years) and 2091mg/day (age 3 years). FITS is the largest national cross-sectional dietary survey of children under age four years. Food/beverage intake is assessed via 24-hr dietary recall. Sodium sources were ranked according to percent contribution to total sodium intake using 24-hour recalls of children ages 1- 3 years (n= 1733). Nineteen or more foods contribute 2% or more of sodium intake. As food groups mixed dishes (23-25% of sodium intake), meats (21-22%), grains (17-22%) and dairy (14-19%) are top sources for all ages. Individual foods contributing the most sodium at age 1 are milk (11%), chicken/turkey (7%) and processed meats (7%). By age 3, processed meats (8%), cheese (8%), and breads (8%) are top sources. Commercial toddler foods were not significant sources. Sodium intake among young children comes from many foods including those that provide nutrients like protein, iron, calcium and vitamin D. Examining sodium sources identifies how parents and caregivers may reduce their child’s sodium intake while providing a variety of nutritious foods. Strategies to reduce sodium include replacing processed meats with other meats, choosing lower sodium cheeses and aiming to lower sodium in mixed dishes.