文章大意:本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了如今儿童摄入过多的盐分,这将对他们的健康造成伤害。文章分析了摄入过多盐分的原因以及可能产生的后果,并给出了减少盐摄入量的方法。
Hamburgers, French fries, potato chips, popcorn, and pizza. There is no denying these foods are tasty. But often, it’s the added salt that makes them so appealing. One result: U.S.kids are eating too much salty fare.
Table salt is about 40% sodium (钠). Our bodies need some sodium to work properly. But too much of it is not healthy.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) looked at the eating habits of 2,142 children between the ages of 6 and 18. It found that their average sodium intake was 3,256 milligrams per day. That equals nearly 1.5 teaspoons each day, which is 50% more than current guidelines recommend.
Zerleen Quader is the study’s lead author. “Eating too much sodium now can set kids up for health problems later,” she said.
Much of the sodium that kids eat comes from processed foods. But potato chips and other salty snacks aren’t the only culprits. There are other sodium sources — like bread and cold cuts — adding to the salt overload.
All this added salt can raise blood pressure and, with it, the risk of a heart attack and other health problems. Today, 1 in 9 children has raised blood pressure. There’s good news though. Lowering salt intake can lower blood pressure.
That, of course, is easier said than done. The more salty foods you eat, the more you develop a taste for them. The key to changing your diet is to start small. “Small changes in sodium in foods are not usually noticed,” Quader says. Eventually, she adds, the effort will reset a kid’s taste buds (味蕾) so the salt desires stop.
Need a little inspiration? Dietitian Bridget Murphy advises focusing on the immediate effects of a diet that is high in sodium. High blood pressure can make it difficult to be active. “Do you want to be able to think clearly and perform well in school?” she asks. “If you’re an athlete, do you want to run faster?” If you answered yes to these questions, then it’s time to shake the salt habit.
8. What did the recent CDC study find?
A.The present advised salt intake is too high. |
B.Teenagers have good dietary habits. |
C.American kids have too much salt. |
D.Proper sodium intake benefits human health. |
9. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “culprits” in Paragraph 5?
A.Criminals. | B.Results. | C.Types. | D.Surprises. |
10. What is Quader’s advice for kids?
A.Eat salt-free foods. | B.Have a low-sodium diet. |
C.Keep away from junk food. | D.Take enough exercise regularly. |
11. According to Murphy, a salty diet will probably
.
A.help you have a quick mind | B.increase your running speed |
C.make you relatively inactive | D.keep you hungry but spirited |