Quiz: Which Food Do You Think Has More Sodium?
Test your knowledge, take our quiz.
April 18, 2011 -- Which food do you believe has more sodium? See the answers on page 2.
1. Beer or Nondiet Soda
2. Catsup or White Chocolate
3. Lucky Charms or Kellogg's Raisin Bran Cereal
4. Fat-Free Cream Cheese or Regular Cream Cheese
5. Honey or Oranges
6. Soy Sauce or Chocolate Syrup
7. Popcorn or Strawberries
8. Cheese Pizza or Plain Hotdog
9. Hummus or Seasoned Croutons
10. Macaroni and Cheese or Vanilla Ice Cream
The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day, about 517 teaspoons of table salt a year. The federal government recommends that the majority of Americans consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.
Sodium is an electrolyte in the body that has many functions, including maintaing the right balance of fluid, transmitting nerve impulses and helping with muscle contractions. High levels of sodium have been linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure in certain individuals and fluid retention.
For a complete guide to the amount of sodium in food go to the USDA's National Nutrient Database.
Information from the USDA
Answers: Which food do you think has more sodium?
1. Beer or Grape Soda
Answer: Grape Soda
Beer has 14 mg of sodium per content measure. Grape soda has 56 mg of sodium per content measure.
2. Catsup or White Chocolate
Answer: Catsup
Catsup has 167 mg of sodium per content measure. White chocolate has 153 mg of sodium per content measure.
3. Lucky Charms or Raisin Bran
Answer: Raisin Bran
Lucky Charms has 216 mg of sodium per content measure. Raisin Bran has 241 mg of sodium per content measure.
4. Fat-Free Cream Cheese or Regular Cream Cheese
Answer: Fat-Free Cream Cheese
Fat-free cream cheese has 110 mg of sodium per content measure. Cream cheese has 47 mg of sodium per content measure.
5. Honey or Oranges
Answer: Honey
Honey has 1 mg of sodium per content measure. Oranges have 0 mg of sodium per content measure.
6. Soy Sauce or Chocolate Syrup
Answer: Soy Sauce
Soy sauce has 902 mg of sodium per content measure. Chocolate syrup has 14 mg of sodium per content measure.
7. Strawberries or Popcorn
Answer: Popcorn
Strawberries have 0 mg of sodium per content measure. Popcorn has a 1 mg of sodium per content measure.
8. Cheese Pizza or. Plain Hotdog
Answer: Plain Hotdog
Cheese pizza has 282 mg of sodium per content measure. A plain hotdog has a 670 mg of sodium per content measure.
9. Hummus or Seasoned Croutons
Answer: Seasoned Croutons
Hummus has 53 mg of sodium per content measure. Seasoned croutons have 436 mg of sodium per content measure.
10. Macaroni and Cheese or Vanilla Ice Cream
Answer: Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese has 761 mg of sodium per content measure. Vanilla ice cream has 53 mg of sodium per content measure.
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