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Evidence for the harmful effect of salt on the health of adults is growing and is now so overwhelming that government authorities and health experts are recommending that adults should not consume more than 6g of salt a day. However, no such recommendations exist for children. Presents evidence to show that by eating their current high‐salt diet children are storing up health problems for the future. Evidence also exists to show that children’s poor diets are having health implications now, such as worsening of asthma and possibly preventing children from achieving their peak bone mass. Children’s diets have already been shown to increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and other health problems and these problems are being compounded by a high salt intake. Food providers and industry need to follow the lead of most major supermarkets, and gradually start to reduce the level of salt in food provided for both adults and children.

Although affecting most women during their fertile years, PMS remains a poorly understood condition. The purpose of this paper is to present some diet and lifestyle treatment options based on literature review findings tempered with the author's experience of treating this condition.

Findings from the literature over the last 20 years and the experience of treating women with this condition have resulted in the development of a phased approach to treat PMS.

The phased approach is outlined as such: for phase 1 ensure the diet is healthy and balanced. In phase 2 swap high Glycemic Index foods for lower GI ones and eat regular meals. For phase 3 try supplements with evidence of efficacy such as calcium and vitamin D. Finally, in phase 4 address lifestyle factors such as activity, stress and weight plus control chronic health conditions.

More research is needed in this area; future work should focus on the use of the lower GI diet and weight loss.

The four phased approach should be implemented before resorting to pharmacological intervention. Women may not need to follow all four phases and may find relief after just phase 1.

For PMS relief, women do not need to be following a diet that does not fit into a family situation; following the guidelines can have knock on health benefit on the rest of the family.

Unsubstantiated anecdotes are often the main source of help for PMS sufferers. This approach sets achievable phased targets based on sound science and practical experience.

To distinguish between the use of Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) for labelling purposes and traffic‐light labelling and to demonstrate the advantages of GDAs over traffic lights.

The advantages of GDAs are laid out along with the disadvantages of traffic‐light labelling.

The background to the development of GDAs and the FSA traffic light scheme, currently being consumer tested, is explained. The Food and Drink Federation recommend that GDAs will be of more value to consumers as opposed to traffic lights, as the GDA system will help individuals to build up a balanced diet which is appropriate for them. However, education on how to use GDAs will be vital, and this is already under way.

A traffic‐light system is a very simplistic subjective approach to signpost labelling and makes it hard to convey the true nutritional value of a food. For this reason it may mislead consumers. GDAs are more objective and will help inform and educate consumers on how to eat a balanced diet.

The paper seeks to lay out the concept of GDAs and why it is a labelling concept that will help consumers with their diet. It should be of interest to those working in the food industry, health professionals, food and health academics and anyone who communicates messages about food and health or indeed consumes packaged food.