Pickles??

cshipley90

So I'm doing this low cal thing and I'm wondering if pickles are a good option. They have like no calories (0-8) depending on the pickle. I love pickles but I'm not sure how nutritious they are...I mean it's a veggie right?

help. no hate please

crystalewhite

You would have to check the label. The Vlasic Kosher Dills that I absolutely love don't really have much of anything other than a lot of sodium.
And now I want some!

Chief_Rocka

Sodium is MFP Kryptonite

diannethegeek

If they fit into your nutritional needs, you like them, and you don't have any adverse reaction to eating them, great! Then eat them.

If they don't fit your nutritional needs (or make it harder to hit your nutritional needs), you don't like them, or you have an adverse reaction after eating them, then not great. Don't eat them.

Only you can tell whether or not they're a good option for you, personally.

13bbird13

I'm a pickle and olive freak and I agree... TONS of sodium, and you really have to eat them in moderation.

crystalewhite

Mmmmmm....olives. I really love anything that's briney.
And I really need to log off this site until after I've had lunch.

godswill206

Just watch the sodium and make sure they do not contain high fruitcose corn syrup.

Tigg_er

diannethegeek wrote: »

If they fit into your nutritional needs, you like them, and you don't have any adverse reaction to eating them, great! Then eat them.

If they don't fit your nutritional needs (or make it harder to hit your nutritional needs), you don't like them, or you have an adverse reaction after eating them, then not great. Don't eat them.

Only you can tell whether or not they're a good option for you, personally.

^This Right here. I love pickels and olives, but I have to watch my sodium levels so I dont eat them like I used to.

Solar_Cat

Yep. I'm crazy about pickles. Especially spicy ones like jalapeno slices (great in salads) and spicy okra pickles.

But the sodium! Yikes! I limit my pickle intake to a very occasional treat. If I ate a whole jar of jalapeno slices at a sitting (which I could easily do, and it surely wouldn't break the bank on calories) the sodium would make me bloated for a week. I know. I've tried it!

JenSD6

I've picked up jars of lower sodium pickles lately (25% less sodium, I believe). They do taste a little different, but they still hit that crunchy salty craving.

cshipley90

Thanks for all the comments!

One last thing...

What’s so bad about sodium?? I know, this must be a really stupid question to many of you.... *ashamed* lol. I've heard that sodium will make you retain water and gain weight, but since it's only water weight, we're not actually gaining weight, are we?

kmbrooks15

Sodium can affect your heart and cause high blood pressure. Sodium is fine to have, just don't go overboard. It's like with any food...moderation is key. If you like dill pickles, go for it. Just don't eat the whole jar in one day. I use dill pickles when I need a late snack and have very few calories left for the day.

Solar_Cat

cshipley90 wrote: »

What’s so bad about sodium?? I know, this must be a really stupid question to many of you.... *ashamed* lol. I've heard that sodium will make you retain water and gain weight, but since it's only water weight, we're not actually gaining weight, are we?

No, you're right. It isn't fat, just water. One reason sodium is considered unhealthy is that in some folks that water retention can lead to hypertension and other problems (swelling, inflammation). Others aren't so sensitive to excesses. I happen to be one whose blood pressure is very sensitive to it, so I have to watch carefully. Monitor your own blood pressure to be sure.

Tigg_er

Solar_Cat wrote: »

cshipley90 wrote: »

What’s so bad about sodium?? I know, this must be a really stupid question to many of you.... *ashamed* lol. I've heard that sodium will make you retain water and gain weight, but since it's only water weight, we're not actually gaining weight, are we?

No, you're right. It isn't fat, just water. One reason sodium is considered unhealthy is that in some folks that water retention can lead to hypertension and other problems (swelling, inflammation). Others aren't so sensitive to excesses. I happen to be one whose blood pressure is very sensitive to it, so I have to watch carefully. Monitor your own blood pressure to be sure.

Thats the same problem I have , lowering my sodium intake has helped a great deal. I think the older you get the more it can become a problem also. My target is 1500mg a day , most days I go between that and 2000mg. It seemed to me that the more I eat of it the more I want.

MinnieInMaine

Definitely read the labels - some pickles are sweetened (gerkin, bread & butter) and therefore have carbs.
- ETA: sorry, misread low cal as low carb.

Sodium is fine as long as you don't have any hypertension concerns BUT it can wreak havoc on weigh ins if you've had enough to cause water retention. Drinking plenty of water and getting a good workout in (sweating a lot) can help offset.

BlueBombers

Lots of sodium but oh so yummy.

Solar_Cat

Tigg_er wrote: »

Solar_Cat wrote: »

cshipley90 wrote: »

What’s so bad about sodium?? I know, this must be a really stupid question to many of you.... *ashamed* lol. I've heard that sodium will make you retain water and gain weight, but since it's only water weight, we're not actually gaining weight, are we?

No, you're right. It isn't fat, just water. One reason sodium is considered unhealthy is that in some folks that water retention can lead to hypertension and other problems (swelling, inflammation). Others aren't so sensitive to excesses. I happen to be one whose blood pressure is very sensitive to it, so I have to watch carefully. Monitor your own blood pressure to be sure.

Thats the same problem I have , lowering my sodium intake has helped a great deal. I think the older you get the more it can become a problem also. My target is 1500mg a day , most days I go between that and 2000mg. It seemed to me that the more I eat of it the more I want.

I set mine at 1400 mg. I manage to keep it under that most days -- except when I go out to eat. Then it's tough. Most restaurant food is saturated with sodium. I've started asking for low-salt or no-salt preparation where possible.

Ready2Rock206

Be careful with the serving sizes on pickles too - for the ones I like a serving is 1/4 of the pickle (Who eats that?!) so for the whole pickle they're still only 20 calories but if you're eating several thinking they're 5 calories a piece that can add up.

AlanaTedmon

Low-cal and will definitely curb your salt craving!

jasonmh630

I love Claussen Kosher Dill pickles... Best store bought pickles around.

blossomingbutterfly

I adore whole pickles! I try and grab a jar of low sodium ones though. They are almost as good and they don't make you want to cry when you see the sodium levels!

snowflake954

Remember folks that olives have oil in them

---

olive oil comes from pressed olives. They are high in calories and sodium, but you can soak them in water and it will take some of the salt out. Pickles, on the other hand, come from cucumbers, so they are alot less calories.

LifeOnMars_

waltcote

Pickles when I was at a lower calorie intake were my go to when I get home snack. I don't know how nutritious they are but Good and crunchy I also do olives now. Not as low calorie but not very high.

superfox12082

I eat lotsssss of pickles. I don't worry about the sodium as I mainly make my own food and am extremely careful with the salt then. Pickles are darn near calorie free! I think they are a great snack!

odusgolp

One can never. ever. ever. ever... go wrong wtih eating pickles.

LifeOnMars_

srslybritt

But do they fill you up????

Unknown

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ElemenopeeZ

LifeOnMars_ wrote: »

odusgolp

__drmerc__ wrote: »

Pickles are fruits not veggies

Fruit??