The obesity crisis is not going away and experts have warned that more than a THIRD of all women in England and nearly HALF of all men will be obese within the next 30 years.

The portent, made by experts at the European Congress on Obesity, used current weight rises to predict the future. In 1993, for instance, only 10 per cent of men between 18 and 40 were obese. Now that figure has doubled.

Following the same logic, and assuming the obesity issue isn’t dealt with before then, 40 per cent of men will be obese by 2030, increasing to 45 per cent a decade later. That would represent a 350 per cent rise in nearly 50 years.

Women too will be getting bigger. Just like their male counterparts, female weight has also been steadily increasing in recent years. Just 12 per cent were considered obese in 1993; today, 21 per cent of English women between 18 and 40 have earned the dubious title.

As such, it is estimated that 33 per cent will be obese by 2030, rising to 40 per cent by 2040.

The figures look even worse when you predict obesity in the older population, with more than half of all women between 40 and 100 being predicted as obese by 2040. For men, the figure rises to a staggering 60 per cent.

Experts warn that the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease will rise dramatically in the next two decades if the predictions come true. If the warning comes to fruition, for instance, approximately two thirds of men and women will end up suffering from type 2 diabetes.

The bill for treating these illnesses could reach £320 billion.

Researcher Tim Marsh of the National Heart Forum, pointed out that obesity-related illnesses are entirely preventable.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “Whilst there are going to be inevitable health care costs as the consequences of an ageing population – wear and tear that we can’t do much to prevent – this is entirely preventable.

“You need to change the environment so healthy food is more available, also better food labelling and healthier food in schools. Jamie Oliver is absolutely right – habits created in schools not only have an impact in the future, but they can impact on the family as well. If children are prepared to eat healthier food, that tends to affect shopping habits.

“Investing in school food is costly, undoubtedly, but it can be shown to be a good investment. Often people are just looking for quick returns on their investment but we are not going to get that. We have to look at the longer term, over the life course, particularly with politicians.

“It is not even going to be in their lifetime because 40 or 50 years away they are going to be dead, or beyond caring.”

Good For: Anyone who wants to follow a strictly organic diet.

Overview:

Actress Kirstie Alley has lost a staggering 100lbs and credits it in part to her weight loss system, Organic Liaison. The actress launched her certified organic system hot on the heels of her Dancing With The Stars appearance, which helped to kick start her weight loss.

Billing itself as an organic lifestyle as opposed to a diet, Kirstie claims the products she sells can help you to tackle your appetite, promote restful sleep, give you more energy, help you to relax and replenish nutrients.

The plan promotes only organic food and shows you how to live your life free from toxins, providing meal plans that allow you to eat six times a day and recommending exercise for 45 minutes to an hour each day. It also provides a calorie calculator, meal planner formatted to your personal calorie needs and preferences, daily journal, organic recipe database and the Body Game, a way of connecting you with another dieter or dieting buddy in a friendly competition to lose weight.

You can also buy the exclusive Organic Liaison weight loss supplements and products. Products include Rescue Me™, an elixir which claims to help reduce your cravings for carbohydrates and sugary food. Rescue Me™ is the first-ever organic weight loss solution certified by the USDA and is made of organic ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and fibre.

Organic Liaison offers three membership options:

The Monthly Online Plan (with no supplements) for a one-off sign-up fee of $18.95 (£12 approx) and a monthly fee of $15.95 (nearly £11). For this, you get the complete step-by-step programme, online tools, iPhone tools and access to Organic Liaison’s Health Director.

The 3-Month Online Plan (with no supplements) costs $15.95 monthly (nearly £11) and offers the same as the above but waives the initial sign-up fee.

The Premium Plan costs $119 a month (£75) and includes the free online plan with monthly Rescue Me ™ refill kits and other supplements. The first kit will actually cost you $139 (£88).

Pros:

• Offers weight loss tools via your iPhone or iPad so you can access them when on the move.
• Monthly fee for the meal plan itself is fairly reasonable.
• Promotes organic and nutritious meals
• Ability to customise your meal plans to take allergies and dietary preferences into account.
• Online tools can be accessed at any time of the night or day.
• It is apparent that Kirstie is heavily involved in the programme, offering motivation and support from someone who knows what it’s like to battle with weight problems.

Cons:

• The Rescue Me ™ elixir and other supplements don’t come cheap and the diet plan is very focused on them.
• The constant promotion of their products can feel very commercial.
• The programme doesn’t offer a set exercise regimen.
• While you are encouraged to eat organic, you still need to follow a reduced calorie diet and regular exercise in order to get the best effect.
• Organic food isn’t necessarily cheap.
• Takes significant commitment to change your eating habits and turn to organic food.
• Eating only organic food at all times may limit your food options or take extra work to identify organic sources near you. The website offers an organic store locator for members, but it is not clear if this is U.S-based only.

Exercise:

There is no set exercise plan included, though you are encouraged to devise an exercise plan with your online weight loss buddy and exercise for up to an hour each day.

Summary:

There are few people more knowledgeable about the perils of weight loss than Kirstie Alley, and it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into her organic weight loss programme.

While the Food Standards Agency may not appreciate the potential weight loss power of organic food, studies have shown that there may well be something in it. According to a study from the University of Newcastle, fruit and vegetables grown without artificial fertiliser contain significantly more nutrients, in particular vitamin C.

It therefore suggests people may be healthier and live longer eating organic, plus highlights higher levels of certain compounds within organic food that help the body to burn fat and can potentially shift pounds.

There may well be something to the potential weight loss power of eating organic, therefore, particularly if mixed with a reduced calorie diet.

The main drawbacks to the programme, however, include its lack of a set exercise plan and its insistence on pushing its own proprietary weight loss supplements and products, some of which like the Rescue Me ™ refill kits can be pretty expensive. Notwithstanding whether the supplements would have the desired effect or indeed induce unwanted side effects, there seems to be no independent studies proving the effectiveness of the remedies it is selling or much in-depth information about them at all.

As we wouldn’t advise anyone to buy supplements or weight loss medicines without fully investigating the potential benefits and drawbacks, it makes it hard to fully support Organic Liaison one hundred per cent. That said, it does seem possible to do the basic diet plan without the supplements if you can tune out the constant selling.

The recent 20p VAT hike on hot takeaway food sparked the ‘pastygate’ controversy.

But if one health expert gets his way, ALL unhealthy food would be subject to a tax.

Dr Mike Rayner, from the Oxford University Department of Public Health, wants an ‘obesity tax’ added to chocolate, fizzy drinks, pasties and more.

We are in the grip of an obesity epidemic,” he told the BBC. “We as a nation are eating too many calories.

“We use taxes to discourage drinking and smoking. It raises lots of money for the treasury and prevented people from dying too early. There is now a lot of evidence that manipulating food prices could promote healthy eating.”

He believes something must be done to tackle the one in four British adults who now suffer from obesity or from being overweight, costing the NHS £5 billion each year.

Talking about the already unpopular 20p VAT rise on hot takeaway food, he stresses that the idea is ‘muddled’ and he cannot see the logic in a levy which doesn’t tackle unhealthy food such as cold sausage rolls and doughnuts, for instance.

Dr Rayner prefers a method where all unhealthy food is taxed – and taxed significantly.

Unlike France for instance, where a ‘fat tax’ adds just two euro cents to a can of cola, Dr Rayner’s suggestions would see the price of cola rise by 12p per can. He claims it would have the potential to save 2,000 lives a year, and reduce obesity cases by 400,000 each year.

Dr Rayner said: “I don’t care whether it is hot or cold, whether we get it from a shop or takeaway, what I want is a tax on all unhealthy food from butter to biscuits.

“That way we will be tackling a problem that will only go on expanding otherwise.”

Should politicians agree to take his advice, the UK would follow in the footsteps of other countries such as France and Denmark. The latter has a ‘fat tax’ on products which are high in saturated fat.

Dr Rayner stresses the system in the UK, however, would need to be more refined, particularly because many low-fat foods in Britain are also very high in salt and therefore still unhealthy.

Good For: According to its literature, reducing absorption of dietary fats by nearly 25%.

Overview:

Future Shape Fat Binder promises to bind up to a quarter of dietary fat from the foods you eat, thanks to its plant-based fibre complex called Lipoxitral™. Made from the organic prickly pear cactus, it binds itself to fat to make the fat-fibre complex too large to be absorbed, which therefore means it is excreted from the body.

In addition, the soluble fibre within Lipoxitral™ bulks up with water to stimulate feelings of fullness and reduces the desire to eat, and food leaves the stomach at a slower rate helping to balance blood sugar levels and manage food cravings.

You will need to take two tablets twice a day with lunch and dinner along with 250ml of water. You can take up to three tablets three times a day if having a particularly high fat or oily meal.

Pros:

• Certified organic.
• Is drug-free and has no artificial flavourings, colourings and preservatives.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Works to manage cravings and manage appetite.
• Reduces calories absorbed from dietary fats by up to 25%.
• In a study published in Phytotherapy Research (September 2009) on animals, prickly pear supplement reduced weight gain by nearly 20%.
• The same animal study didn’t deplete the body of minerals as many diuretics can.
• Prickly pear is a good source of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
• In a French study, women who took 2g of prickly pear extract demonstrated significant weight loss compared to those women who took a placebo instead.
• Exercise and a healthy diet are both recommended in order to make the most of this supplement.

Cons:

• If taken too often, prickly pear has been seen to cause stomach problems.
• Not suitable for anyone who has kidney problems or kidney stones.
• Compared to other weight loss ingredients, prickly pear is relatively untested.
• Only tackles fat as opposed to carbohydrates, so if you’re a fan of carbs, this may not be the right choice for you.

Health Warnings:

Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for anyone sensitive to the ingredients, or for anyone under 12. Children between 12 to 18 should only take this under the supervision of a doctor. May also reduce blood cholesterol levels, so anyone on medication should seek advice from their health professional. Users are advised not to take it within two hours of any other fat-soluble medicine, such as the contraceptive pill. Do not take if you have kidney disease or kidney stones.

Summary:

Prickly pear has been used for medicinal reasons for many years but its potential for weight loss is relatively new, hence the few studies carried out so far. Research done so far shows that prickly pear works by binding its fibres with fat; this makes a thick viscous gel that helps to reduce the amount of calories absorbed. At the same time, it helps users to stay satiated and fight cravings.

The use of Prickly pear has already made competitor Proactol Plus extremely popular, so Future Shape Fat Binder has a ready-made market. While experts agree that Prickly pear’s contribution to weight loss needs more research to be conclusive, it may well have potential for weight loss, and can be used alongside other Future Shape products for best effect.

Where to Buy:

Buy from the official website at http://www.futureshape.com/fat-binder

Discounts/ Offers:

Save 15% on a one month’s supply (120 capsules), £43.14.

Good For: Being a fat burner with proven weight loss ingredients.

Overview:

According to its literature, Future Shape Fat Burner is made with natural herb compound Zenolite™, which comprises extracts of Green Tea, Green Coffee, Garcinia cambogia and Banaba.

The manufacturer stresses that Zenolite™ has been ‘scientifically validated’ and promotes weight loss by burning stored body fat. At the same time, it helps to manage blood sugar levels to reduce cravings and bingeing, reduces the absorption of dietary fat and prevents the further storage of fat from excess calories.

The Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) in ingredient Garcinia cambogia, as well as caffeine, L-theanine and Pigallocatechin (EGCG) in the green tea, all help to encourage fat burning. In addition, the HCA prevents the storage of extra calories as fat, as do elements in the Banaba (corosolic acid) and the EGCG and chlorogenic acid found in the green coffee.

As well as all this, the manufacturers claim the ingredients help to banish cravings by maintaining a healthy blood sugar level while the L-theanine in the green tea also helps to boost alertness and relaxation.

For best results, you can take three caplets twice a day (with breakfast and lunch) or two caplets three times a day with meals. You must also take it with 250ml of water. New users are recommended to take two caplets with breakfast only for the first three days, before moving onto the fuller dose.

Pros:

• Unlike other fat burning drugs, Future Shape Fat Burner does not contain ephedra or any other stimulants which have been known to cause side effects.
• In fact, due to its natural ingredients, the caplets are drug-free.
• Helps you to lose weight by burning fat.
• Prevents future fat storage.
• Does not include artificial flavourings, preservatives, colouring or salt.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• After reviewing 12 studies, researchers from the University of Exeter concluded that ingredient Garcinia cambogia can aid in short-term weight loss. Published in the December 2010 Journal of Obesity, they recommend that further studies needed to be done.
• The University of Maryland Medical Center in the U.S. cites weight loss as one of the benefits of green tea. However, a 2009 study from the University of Connecticut points out that expected weight loss is moderate. When taken every day, along with EGCG, over a three to 24 week period, participants lost just one to three pounds more than those who weren’t taking the green tea. Other studies have shown that green tea and caffeine are more effective together.

Cons:

• The manufacturers admit that there have only been limited studies done on potential interaction of Future Shape Fat Burner with other medications, supplements and herbs. As such, you must always consult your doctor before taking it.
• Potential side effects can include headaches, restlessness, a rise in body temperature, abdominal problems and an increase in heart rate.
• Not advised for anyone with sensitivity to tannin or caffeine, as it can also lead to a skin rash or hives.
• Depending on the quantity of green tea in the mix, green tea side effects can include dizziness, nausea, erratic sleeping patterns and heart palpitations.
• According to certain studies, the ingredients in Future Shape Fat Burner offer moderate weight loss and are best used with a healthy diet and exercise regime – something the manufacturers also recommend. If you plan to use the caplets without following a diet and exercise routine, your weight loss may be limited.
• Certain ingredients may act to lower blood sugar, so diabetics should first consult their GP.

Ingredients:

Green Tea, Green Coffee, Garcinia cambogia and Banaba.

Health Warnings:

Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone with known sensitivities to the ingredients or anyone under 12. Anyone 12-18 should only take the fat burner under medical supervision.

Summary:

Future Shape Fat Burner makes some pretty hefty claims. It should be noted, however, that its ingredients list — Green Tea, Green Coffee, Garcinia cambogia and Banaba – have all played some part in weight loss and weight loss studies.

Studies have proved the potential for fat burning and weight loss in the ingredients, though Banaba is potentially more useful as a way to combat cravings.

However, without specific statistics on the exact combination of these ingredients and details on how they are mixed in the caplets – which are not provided on the official website – there’s no way to know just how well they all work together.

What we can say, however, is that this product looks promising and uses proven fat burning and weight loss ingredients. Again, there is some dispute among experts as to how influential these products can be, with many citing moderate weight loss as a result, but most agree that the ingredients can be potentially beneficial when used with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Provided you are happy to change your lifestyle and become more active, Future Shape Fat Burner could be a good starting plan for anyone who needs a helping hand and isn’t allergic or sensitive to the caffeine or tannin, or indeed any of the ingredients, in the caplets.

Where to Buy:

Buy from the official website at http://www.futureshape.com/fat-burner

Special Offers/ Discounts: Save 15% on 120 caplets (one month’s supply); buy for £43.14.

It’s official… losing weight is not rocket science.

The tried and tested method of exercising more and eating less fat is the most effective way of losing weight, leading the way over fad diets or the latest dietary craze, says a new study.

Harvard Medical School, which carried out the research, looked at data from 4,000 obese men and women, 2,523 of whom wanted to lose weight, and concluded that those joining a structured weight loss programme were more successful at losing weight.

In contrast, the use of “popular diets, liquid diets, non-prescription weight loss pills and diet foods/products” failed to be associated with weight loss.

Of those people trying to lose weight, 40% lost 5 per cent or more of their weight, while a fifth lost a tenth of their weight or more over a 12 month period. All had a BMI of 30 or over beforehand.

The study’s findings reiterate what many dieticians always say: eat less and exercise more.

Dr Jacinda Nicklas said: “This is great news because studies have shown that even a 5% reduction in weight can lead to improved health. Those who exercised more and ate less fat were significantly more likely to lose weight.”

Co-author, Dr Christina Wee, from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in the U.S., said: “It’s very encouraging to find that most of the weight loss methods associated with success are accessible and inexpensive.

“There are lots of fad diets out there as well as expensive over-the-counter medications that have not necessarily been proven to be effective.” She urged potential dieters to discuss diet options with their doctor.

You might avoid them because of their high fat content, but new research hints that eating nuts can actually help you to keep slim.

This is especially true when eating tree nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, macadamias, pine nuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts.

Researchers at Louisiana State University discovered that people who consumed the nuts regularly had a lower body weight, waist measurement and body mass index (BMI) than their non nut-eating counterparts.

They also reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome, the latter reducing the risk of high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and high blood sugar. Consumption of tree nuts was also associated with higher levels of the good HDL cholesterol.

Lead researcher Carol O’Neil said: “One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers.

“The mean weight, BMI, and waist circumference were 4.19 pounds, 0.9kg/m2 and 0.83 inches lower in consumers than non-consumers, respectively.”

Health experts now recommend eating 1.5oz or three tablespoons of nuts daily for a healthy diet.

Dr O’Neil added: ‘Tree nuts should be an integral part of a healthy diet and encouraged by health professionals—especially registered dietitians.’

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, examined data from 13,292 men and women who had participated in the U.S. 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).

Data was studied on those people who said that they ate more than a quarter of an ounce of nuts a day.

The next time you feel virtuous for drinking a glass of fruit juice, you might want to think again.

Researchers have warned that some fruit juices, smoothies and milkshakes contain much more sugar than you probably realise.

Indeed, the average person in the UK takes in 3,144 calories a week from juices or other liquids. Divided into daily amounts, that’s around 450 calories, almost a quarter of the recommended daily calorie limit for women and about a fifth for men – from juices and liquids alone.

Participants, namely 2,000 Britons, were asked to estimate how many teaspoons of sugar were contained in a normal serving of various different beverages; one teaspoon represents 4.2g of sugar.

The University of Glasgow survey revealed that pomegranate juice had nearly 18 teaspoons more sugar per serving than participants realised, while chocolate milkshake had seven-and-a-half times more (with more than 13.5 teaspoons).

In general, contributors ‘significantly misjudged’ the level of sugar in certain fruit juices, smoothies and milkshakes, compared to fizzy drinks.

Smoothies were estimated to contain four teaspoons of sugar, for instance, but actually contain six. Participants believed pomegranate juice had four teaspoons of sugar (in reality, it has 22) while even pure apple juice has four more teaspoons than most people believed. A sparkling orange glucose drink contains 16 teaspoons of sugar (most people guessed nine).

Researchers warned that this lack of knowledge about the sugar inherent in certain beverages could be contributing to our obesity crisis. Half of the people who admitted to drinking three or more sugary drinks a day didn’t compensate by reducing their overall calories elsewhere.

UK guidelines recommend that we shouldn’t consume more than 10% of our daily energy intake from added sugars, such as those used in fizzy drinks, fruit juices and used to sweeten foods.

Professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, Naveed Sattar, said: “What you drink can be as damaging to the body as what you eat and there is no question that consuming too many sugar-sweetened drinks can greatly contribute to abdominal obesity.

“For many people struggling with their weight, reducing their intake of such drinks and replacing with water or diet drinks would be a sensible first target to help them lessen their calorie intake.”

Good For: According to its promotion, for reducing the appetite, reducing food cravings and for reducing calorie intake

Overview:

Derived from the roots of the Konjac plant, Future Shape Appetite Reducer is made with a plant fibre complex, Appetrol™, and claims to work by swelling in your stomach.

The fibres swell after absorbing water to form a thick gel; this swelling creates a feeling of satiety and fullness.

The indigestible gel also slows down the rate of food absorption in the small intestines, meaning that you feel fuller for longer and don’t suffer from the blood glucose spikes that usually precede cravings and bingeing. It also supposedly works fast, helping you to feel fuller quicker and to cut down your portion size.

You will need to take two capsules twice a day, timing them for half an hour before lunch and dinner, and will need to take them with 250ml (a full glass) of water.

Pros:

• The literature claims it has no known harmful side effects.
• Is natural and drug free.
• Company literature says that Appetrol™ is used in similar weight management products and has been certified as class II EU oral medical devices.
• No artificial colourings, preservatives, salt or flavourings.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Official website also recommends eating healthily and following an exercise regime, and has tips on both.
• Can combine Future Shape products and create a personalised programme for you; the website gives tips on how to do this.
• Offers a 60-day refunds policy.

Cons:

• The official Future Shape website has a page on the importance of research, claiming to bring together doctors, dermatologists, pharmacists, nutritionists and botanists to develop products, but doesn’t actually provide specific information on any studies or research done into its products or ingredients.
• You will still need to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan in order to make the most of the product.
• Glucomannan, an ingredient in the Konjac root, has been linked to potential abdominal discomfort, gas and occasionally mild diarrhoea.

Health Warnings:

Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for anyone under 12 years of age. Anyone between 12 and 18 can only take the capsules under medical supervision. As the product may lower sugar and blood cholesterol levels, diabetics should see their doctor as their medication may need to be adjusted.

Summary:

The roots of the Konjac plant have long been recognised for their potential health giving benefits. A University of Connecticut study published in the 2008 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that glucomannan, the ingredient within the plant, helped to keep blood glucose under control, lower LDL bad cholesterol and had a ‘mild’ effect on body weight. It has also been seen to improve digestion, albeit with the potential complications listed in the cons section above.

The study above, however, is as yet unsure whether the potential weight loss seen was linked to the Konjac root specifically, or due to the fact that more soluble fibre was added to the diet.

Where to Buy:

Buy from the official website at http://www.futureshape.com/appetite-reducer

Discounts/ Offers:

Save £7.61 on a one month supply (120 capsules), buy for £43.14

The news may come as a surprise to many people, but Britain apparently leads the way in reducing salt in our fast food chains.

A survey has revealed that fast food in the UK has the lowest amount of salt overall, when comparing foods from six international fast food chains worldwide.

The amount of salt in Chicken McNuggets, for instance, was 2.5 times higher in the U.S. than here at home in the UK.

While the survey doesn’t take any notice of unhealthy fat content, however, it does seem as if not all fast food is created equal.

The international survey, conducted by the University of Calgary, examined salt content in fast food chains McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Domino’s Pizza and Subway. Countries looked at included the UK, the U.S., France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia (where Burger King is known as Hungry Jacks).

Food examined included burgers, chicken items, pizza, salads, sandwiches, savoury breakfast products and French fries.

The Chicken McNuggets weren’t the only disparity. Researchers found that a Subway ‘Club Sandwich’ contained twice the amount of salt in the U.S. and Australia than it did in France.

Meanwhile, French fries in Canada contained twice as much salt on average than they did in France and the U.S., while a Double Whopper served in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia contained more salt than its counterpart in Canada and the UK.

Overall, the UK had the lowest amount of salt in the products measured, while its equivalent in the U.S. had the highest.

Writing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study authors theorise that the lower salt levels in the UK could be a result of the fast food industry’s participation in the country’s bid to reduce salt.

While stopping far short of encouraging fast food consumption in the UK, the researchers point out that reducing the salt intake of fast food elsewhere in a similar way over several years could reduce the number of deaths.

“Recent estimates suggest that the numbers of deaths averted by moderate reductions in population salt consumption would be at least as many as those achieved by plausible reductions in population smoking rates,” said the researchers.

Fast food companies such as McDonald’s, however, state that they are already reducing the salt content of their foods elsewhere – planning to reduce it by 15% in the U.S. by 2015, for instance — and have been doing so since the data was collected in 2010.

Professor of medicine at the University of Calgary, Dr Norman Campbell, also admitted the study had limitations as it relied on the fast food company’s websites to obtain the salt data, which could be inaccurate.

He also stressed that fast food companies weren’t the only source of salt in our diets.

Speaking to Reuters, he said: “Yes, salt in fast food is very high but if you went to an expensive restaurant, the sodium levels would be very high. If you buy packaged foods, the levels would often be very high.”