OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sodium content and energy of commercial dishes in 4 Chinese restaurants in Beijing.

METHODSFrom June to August of 2011, 4 medium-sized restaurants were selected by convenience sampling method. Overall, 47 commercial dishes (including 9 cold dishes and 38 cooked dishes) consumed at least 6 times by consumers and provided by at least 2 restaurants were selected. One complete serving was selected for each dish to investigate its energy and sodium content, and calculate its sodium density.

RESULTSThe median value of sodium content in cold dishes and cooked dishes were 580, 522 mg/100 g (Z = 0.83, P > 0.05) or 1427, 2301 mg/serving (Z = 2.03, P < 0.05); the median sodium density for cold and cooked dishes were 1902 and 670 mg/1000 kJ (Z = 2.81, P < 0.01); the median value of energy in cold dishes and cooked dishes were 514, 717 kJ/100 g (Z = 2.15, P < 0.05) or 1113, 3492 kJ/serving (Z = 4.03, P < 0.05). Of the 47 dishes, 46.8% (22/47) exceeded the daily recommendation of sodium content for Chinese residents (2200 mg).

CONCLUSIONThe commercial dishes in medium-sized Chinese restaurants provide a relatively higher energy and sodium. Cold dishes contain less energy but have high sodium density, so the sodium from these dishes could not be ignored.