Sodium - One more darned question :)

NonnyMary

Hi - I am concerned about sodium, according to MFP we can have 2,500 mg a day. I try to keep between 1,000 and 1,800 a day. I take a water pill because of a bit of high blood pressure.

now, I look at menus at healthy vegetarian restaurants, and the are high in sodium, like a vegetarian wrap having 1,200 grams of sodium to 1,600 grams. DANG!!

so, what effect on my body (weight wise, water weight, etc) will the difference between consuming 1,500 and 2,500 sodium mg a day mean? Anything? I worry because I'm being careful, but i would love to eat those vegetarian sandwiches, but the sodium is so high.

I dont know what in the sandwiches are causing the high sodium, it could be the cheese or maybe the bread, if i were to get a higher sodium sandwich, what could i do to make it less high sodium? What is the culprit? I'm thinking it might be any sauce they put on it or cheese.

jgal86

I really believe that if you are drinking enough water, sodium shouldn't hurt you. Sodium itself won't make you gain weight. What it does however, is cause you to retain water which puts the pounds on the scale. Don't worry. Just drink lots of water and get your exercise in.

NonnyMary

I really believe that if you are drinking enough water, sodium shouldn't hurt you. Sodium itself won't make you gain weight. What it does however, is cause you to retain water which puts the pounds on the scale. Don't worry. Just drink lots of water and get your exercise in.

Will the drinking 64 oz water in a day conquer whatever extra sodium I consumed?

Then maybe I CAN have some of those delicious vegge sandwiches without worry?? that would be great!!! it would add some more things to eat that really look good! Im so cautious!

BellaV79

I definitely think this would be harmful for you and will raise your blood pressure for sure. i know that i cannot eat many things in restaurants because of the high sodium content. 1 cup of soup at a restaurant can put on 3 pounds of water weight for me. I am very sensitive to sodium. I think your best approach is to occassionally treat yourself to one or half and split with a friend. But only do this if the rest of the day you are completely low sodium. Also, something even better is to find out whats in it and make it at home without all that sodium. I do this all the time. Google it or check out youtube and you will find comperable recipes which are healthier options.

DanaDark

With extra sodium intake, you should opt for extra water intake.

Additionally, you will also want to try and increase your potassium intake at the same time. Sodium+Potassium have a special relationship.

On days that you have extra sodium, you are likely to retain more water (you will gain weight, but it will be water weight).

NonnyMary

Ok sounds like i dont have to panic. this weekend, for some reason i just felt like eating out.. guess it was a kind of treat in that i wanted a break from home cooking and I was out, so i needed to make some good choices. when i do that i think to myself well i have to live a good eating lifestyle, not just a diet, so i should be able to go out and eat sometimes if needed, like if im away from home shopping all day.

next challenge - going on vacation the middle of august, previously me and my bff would 'eat our way thru Michigan" and enjoying food as a big part of it. now i will be trying to see how it will be with eating with nutrition in mind. A good test eh?

jgal86

Ok sounds like i dont have to panic. this weekend, for some reason i just felt like eating out.. guess it was a kind of treat in that i wanted a break from home cooking and I was out, so i needed to make some good choices. when i do that i think to myself well i have to live a good eating lifestyle, not just a diet, so i should be able to go out and eat sometimes if needed, like if im away from home shopping all day.

next challenge - going on vacation the middle of august, previously me and my bff would 'eat our way thru Michigan" and enjoying food as a big part of it. now i will be trying to see how it will be with eating with nutrition in mind. A good test eh?

I think you will be fine. I am ALWAYS over on my sodium. Just don't go way over all the time. Once in a while won't kill yOU!

backtp

How much water is more water

my friend said since im trying to lose weight i should be drinking 12 glasses instead of the 8 i read everywhere
that also will help balance the sodium

is that true

NonnyMary

I dont know how much is too much water so that you will ruin your health...

dlionsmane

Just want to tell you my recent experience. At my HW I had HBP and I was on a med w/ a diuretic. I was at 186.4 on July 17 when my doctor took me off the med (BP was way low and I was getting dizzy)

Fast forward 9 days and 9 lbs later, I was at 195 4 days ago and my ankles looked like two balloons wrapped around my feet. (granted I did have at least one day in there that I was over 2700 on sodium)

So for me the diuretic was masking the problem I have with sodium and water retention. I immediately increased my water to the 64 oz (or more) and increased my green tea and lowered my sodium to <500 and in 4 days I am down to 189 and my ankles are *almost back to normal.

Now am I saying this could happen to you, No - but if you are already taking water pills you may well want to consider making the changes to your diet instead of relying on the pills.

Good luck!

NonnyMary

Hi - yes I have thought about one day when i do get the weight down, my blood pressure will go down too.. thank goodness the last checkup said not pre-diabetic - THAT is what i am totally scared of.. now i feel like i have a 2nd chance at life, not getting that - becuz i was eatring so many sweets, pre-diet, that i was afraid i was gonna be diabetic.

slight blood pressure - fixable! one day i will get off the meds! thank u