Bread beats out potato chips as the number one source of salt in the American diet, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control.
Tuesday's report says there's actually twice as much salt in bread and rolls as there is in salty junk food like chips or pretzels.
Besides bread and salty snacks, the CDC found that eight other foods that are responsible for 44 percent of the sodium American eat. They include the following:
- cold cuts and cured meat
- pizza
- poultry
- soups
- sandwiches
- cheese
- pasta dishes
- meat dishes
To help combat the problem CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden recommended that restaurants reduce the amount of salt in their dishes.
"People can choose how much salt to add at the table," he reasoned. "They can't take it out once it's there."
Salt is the main source of sodium which increases the risk of high blood pressure. Dietary guidelines for adults recommend only a teaspoon of salt a day.