Food & Nutrition

Arab Journal of Food & Nutrition
8. Evaluation of Sodium and Potassium Content of Low Sodium Diets Offered in
Major Amman Hospitals (1993)
Omar Abu-Sheikha\ University of Jordan
Supervisor: Dr. Ahmad Al-faqih
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Malik Hadadin
Sodium and potassium were evaluated in winter (January, 1992) and summer
(July 1992) in regular diets (RDs) regular low salt diets (RLSDs), and diabetic low salt
diets (DLSDs) offered in three hospitals in Amman the University Hospital (UH) Al-
Bahsir Hospital (BH) and the Islamic Hospital (IH). Sodium and potassium were also
determined in certain local foodstuffs. Three replicates of each of breakfast lunch
dinner for each of the three diets were collected daily from every hospital for 7
consecutive days in each season.
The overall value of Na in RDs offered at the three hospitals was of 5861± 908
(Mean ± SD) g Na/day and a density of 2189±154 mg Na / 1000 Kcal for both seasons
. The respective values for potassium were 2804±666 and 1049±270. Mean values of
dietary sodium and potassium were significantly higher(p < 0.0001) in winter than in
summer 6236±1030 versus 5485 ± 560mg Na/day (p