Subway, the world's biggest fast food chain, announced plans to cut sodium levels in its subs by 28 percent. This change comes amid growing concern that many Americans are exceeding their daily salt intake.
On "Good Morning America" Tuesday, chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser revealed four surprising foods that are high in salt.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2010 dietary guidelines recommends that Americans consume no more than 1,500 milligrams -- or about two-thirds of a teaspoon -- of salt each day. However, Americans actually consume more than 3,000 milligrams a day, which adds up to about 517 teaspoons of table salt a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here are a list of desserts surprisingly high in salt (per 100 milligram serving):
Caramel - 236mg
Chocolate bar with nuts - 210mg
Milk chocolate - 71mg
Lollipop - 50 mg
While it may seem difficult to avoid salty foods, there are a few ways to limit your salt intake. One way to cut the salt is to use table salt substitutes.
"There are low-sodium salts, no-sodium salts, and herb and spice blends that you can use," said Besser.
Other ways to cut the salt in your diet include buying fresh foods instead of canned and processed foods, or to rinse canned foods to remove the salt.
"If you can reduce your salt intake by just a half teaspoon a day, that's just as good for your heart as cutting tobacco by half," said Besser.
For more information on salt and reducing your salt intake, visit the National Institutes of Health.