What are the best sources of Sodium?
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tangent836 wrote: »@cwolfman13 @janejellyroll @estherdragonbat @singingflutelady @Jruzer
I realize that. It seems it's pretty difficult to completely avoid processed foods. I'm not chemist or dietitian, but it seems that the salt in sodium pills will not be as affected by processing, as whatever they put in cans of tomatoes. Just a hunch. Like I said, what is the OPTIMAL solution? I'm not asking for the ideal.singingflutelady wrote: »Sodium pills are processed
I can't imagine how sodium could be "affected" by processing and still be sodium. It's an element. Are you imagining it's going to become some radioactive isotope of sodium when it meets up with a little tomato?2 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »@cwolfman13 @janejellyroll @estherdragonbat @singingflutelady @Jruzer
I realize that. It seems it's pretty difficult to completely avoid processed foods. I'm not chemist or dietitian, but it seems that the salt in sodium pills will not be as affected by processing, as whatever they put in cans of tomatoes. Just a hunch. Like I said, what is the OPTIMAL solution? I'm not asking for the ideal.singingflutelady wrote: »Sodium pills are processed
I can't imagine how sodium could be "affected" by processing and still be sodium. It's an element. Are you imagining it's going to become some radioactive isotope of sodium when it meets up with a little tomato?
No, but the processing will affect the tomato 3 -
tangent836 wrote: »estherdragonbat wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »I understand that an adult man has to consume at least 500 mg of Sodium a day and more if he exercises. Ever since I started dieting, I've realized that I am often not eating enough salt. What are the healthiest sources of salt? How do I make sure I eat enough of it? Is it a bad idea to simply add table salt to the food I'm eating?
THIS is hilarious!!! Dude, you really need to educate yourself on nutrition. Sodium = salt! WTF. SPRINKLE SOME EFFIN SALT ON YOUR FOOD. There are some of the stupidest people on this website. LMAO. Man...
For starters, Salt = Sodium + Chloride In fact, salt is MOSTLY chloride. Sodium is a nutrient that is found in many foods, salt being only one among them. My question was whether salt was a good source of sodium, or whether it's better to get it from other foods such as vegetables.
If you're actually low on sodium, you're not going to beef it up much with vegetables. I would look more to minimally processed foods like canned goods, cottage cheese, vegetable juice, etc.
I'm trying to avoid processed foods like the plague. Wouldn't it be better to just take a sodium table like @RunnerGrl1982 suggested? Also, wouldn't it be more convenient to take when I'm working out? That way I don't have to drink gatoraid (yuck).
All processed foods? Why?
I've heard a nutritionist say that the less processed something is, that healthier it is for you.
The NHS in UK blames processed food, especially processed meats [sausage, bacon, ham and deli] pizza and ready meals for people dying years before they should. It's the salt and fat content.4 -
tangent836 wrote: »lynn_glenmont wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »@cwolfman13 @janejellyroll @estherdragonbat @singingflutelady @Jruzer
I realize that. It seems it's pretty difficult to completely avoid processed foods. I'm not chemist or dietitian, but it seems that the salt in sodium pills will not be as affected by processing, as whatever they put in cans of tomatoes. Just a hunch. Like I said, what is the OPTIMAL solution? I'm not asking for the ideal.singingflutelady wrote: »Sodium pills are processed
I can't imagine how sodium could be "affected" by processing and still be sodium. It's an element. Are you imagining it's going to become some radioactive isotope of sodium when it meets up with a little tomato?
No, but the processing will affect the tomato
How does the processing (canning) make the tomato less nutritious?
Also, where do you live that you get fresh, locally-grown tomatoes now? I'm jealous. Picking tomatoes early and moving them long distances not only makes them taste sub-optimally (which is why this time of year I use more canned tomatoes), but means they are less nutritious. It's also why frozen broccoli is probably more nutritious than that which appears to be fresh, etc., at least where I live. (I prefer cooking with non frozen and think it tastes just as good, so I usually use it, however, but I don't pretend it's the most nutritious option.)6 -
suziecue25 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »estherdragonbat wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »I understand that an adult man has to consume at least 500 mg of Sodium a day and more if he exercises. Ever since I started dieting, I've realized that I am often not eating enough salt. What are the healthiest sources of salt? How do I make sure I eat enough of it? Is it a bad idea to simply add table salt to the food I'm eating?
THIS is hilarious!!! Dude, you really need to educate yourself on nutrition. Sodium = salt! WTF. SPRINKLE SOME EFFIN SALT ON YOUR FOOD. There are some of the stupidest people on this website. LMAO. Man...
For starters, Salt = Sodium + Chloride In fact, salt is MOSTLY chloride. Sodium is a nutrient that is found in many foods, salt being only one among them. My question was whether salt was a good source of sodium, or whether it's better to get it from other foods such as vegetables.
If you're actually low on sodium, you're not going to beef it up much with vegetables. I would look more to minimally processed foods like canned goods, cottage cheese, vegetable juice, etc.
I'm trying to avoid processed foods like the plague. Wouldn't it be better to just take a sodium table like @RunnerGrl1982 suggested? Also, wouldn't it be more convenient to take when I'm working out? That way I don't have to drink gatoraid (yuck).
All processed foods? Why?
I've heard a nutritionist say that the less processed something is, that healthier it is for you.
The NHS in UK blames processed food, especially processed meats [sausage, bacon, ham and deli] pizza and ready meals for people dying years before they should. It's the salt and fat content.
Yeah -- meat aside, usually when people go on about "processed" foods being worse they mean "ultraprocessed," and it's based on a claim like "most of these products have less fiber and protein and more added salt, added sugar, or fat, usually from less desirable sources). This is both an over-generalization even for ultraprocessed foods, and not a reason to avoid processed foods in general, as the statement is certainly not the case for most of them.
They are also usually talking about dosage -- there are some people who completely live off of ultraprocessed foods, and close to it, and unless they are really careful about choices (or eat to excess, which is another possible result) likely aren't getting adequate fiber or nutrients. So advice for people eating the western pattern diet (or SAD), as it is often called, is to eat more whole foods and less ultraprocessed stuff. Doesn't mean that any processed foods (or even any ultraprocessed foods) will be a problem in any amount.
But again it's plenty easy to get way over 500 mg from food alone, and quite simple to hit, say, 2000 mg with limited use of minimally processed foods and a pinch of salt or two when cooking. So I find this whole "how can I reach 500 mg" thing odd.6 -
suziecue25 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »estherdragonbat wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »I understand that an adult man has to consume at least 500 mg of Sodium a day and more if he exercises. Ever since I started dieting, I've realized that I am often not eating enough salt. What are the healthiest sources of salt? How do I make sure I eat enough of it? Is it a bad idea to simply add table salt to the food I'm eating?
THIS is hilarious!!! Dude, you really need to educate yourself on nutrition. Sodium = salt! WTF. SPRINKLE SOME EFFIN SALT ON YOUR FOOD. There are some of the stupidest people on this website. LMAO. Man...
For starters, Salt = Sodium + Chloride In fact, salt is MOSTLY chloride. Sodium is a nutrient that is found in many foods, salt being only one among them. My question was whether salt was a good source of sodium, or whether it's better to get it from other foods such as vegetables.
If you're actually low on sodium, you're not going to beef it up much with vegetables. I would look more to minimally processed foods like canned goods, cottage cheese, vegetable juice, etc.
I'm trying to avoid processed foods like the plague. Wouldn't it be better to just take a sodium table like @RunnerGrl1982 suggested? Also, wouldn't it be more convenient to take when I'm working out? That way I don't have to drink gatoraid (yuck).
All processed foods? Why?
I've heard a nutritionist say that the less processed something is, that healthier it is for you.
The NHS in UK blames processed food, especially processed meats [sausage, bacon, ham and deli] pizza and ready meals for people dying years before they should. It's the salt and fat content.
Yeah -- meat aside, usually when people go on about "processed" foods being worse they mean "ultraprocessed," and it's based on a claim like "most of these products have less fiber and protein and more added salt, added sugar, or fat, usually from less desirable sources). This is both an over-generalization even for ultraprocessed foods, and not a reason to avoid processed foods in general, as the statement is certainly not the case for most of them.
They are also usually talking about dosage -- there are some people who completely live off of ultraprocessed foods, and close to it, and unless they are really careful about choices (or eat to excess, which is another possible result) likely aren't getting adequate fiber or nutrients. So advice for people eating the western pattern diet (or SAD), as it is often called, is to eat more whole foods and less ultraprocessed stuff. Doesn't mean that any processed foods (or even any ultraprocessed foods) will be a problem in any amount.
But again it's plenty easy to get way over 500 mg from food alone, and quite simple to hit, say, 2000 mg with limited use of minimally processed foods and a pinch of salt or two when cooking. So I find this whole "how can I reach 500 mg" thing odd.
I totally agree re 'dosage'....it all comes down to moderation.1 -
Best source = table salt.0
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tangent836 wrote: »Do you really think there's something horribly wrong with canned tomatoes or canned beans? I understand wanting to limit or cut out ultra processed food items, but avoiding canned tomatoes like the plague seems a bit over the top. It's not like they're adding all kinds of things to them. The processing on most canned goods like that is very minimal, which is why they're referred to as minimally processed foods.
The issue with canned food is the chemicals leaching from the can lining. The lining prevents degradation of the metal during storage. Until recently, BPA has been one of the compounds most heavily studied. Some studies have shown bloodstream BPA levels directly linked to the amount of canned food consumed. About 90% of can linings stopped using BPA in the past few years, but it still remains in the market. Replacements for BPA in liner materials are less studied, so many people still try to avoid using canned foods when possible.
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tangent836 wrote: »lynn_glenmont wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »@cwolfman13 @janejellyroll @estherdragonbat @singingflutelady @Jruzer
I realize that. It seems it's pretty difficult to completely avoid processed foods. I'm not chemist or dietitian, but it seems that the salt in sodium pills will not be as affected by processing, as whatever they put in cans of tomatoes. Just a hunch. Like I said, what is the OPTIMAL solution? I'm not asking for the ideal.singingflutelady wrote: »Sodium pills are processed
I can't imagine how sodium could be "affected" by processing and still be sodium. It's an element. Are you imagining it's going to become some radioactive isotope of sodium when it meets up with a little tomato?
No, but the processing will affect the tomato
Yes, heating tomatoes (as done for canning purposes) increases bioavailbility of certain beneficial phytochemicals, such as lycopene (though may decrease Vitamin C.)tangent836 wrote: »Do you really think there's something horribly wrong with canned tomatoes or canned beans? I understand wanting to limit or cut out ultra processed food items, but avoiding canned tomatoes like the plague seems a bit over the top. It's not like they're adding all kinds of things to them. The processing on most canned goods like that is very minimal, which is why they're referred to as minimally processed foods.
The issue with canned food is the chemicals leaching from the can lining. The lining prevents degradation of the metal during storage. Until recently, BPA has been one of the compounds most heavily studied. Some studies have shown bloodstream BPA levels directly linked to the amount of canned food consumed. About 90% of can linings stopped using BPA in the past few years, but it still remains in the market. Replacements for BPA in liner materials are less studied, so many people still try to avoid using canned foods when possible.
Buy the kind "canned" in glass jars?5 -
tangent836 wrote: »lynn_glenmont wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »@cwolfman13 @janejellyroll @estherdragonbat @singingflutelady @Jruzer
I realize that. It seems it's pretty difficult to completely avoid processed foods. I'm not chemist or dietitian, but it seems that the salt in sodium pills will not be as affected by processing, as whatever they put in cans of tomatoes. Just a hunch. Like I said, what is the OPTIMAL solution? I'm not asking for the ideal.singingflutelady wrote: »Sodium pills are processed
I can't imagine how sodium could be "affected" by processing and still be sodium. It's an element. Are you imagining it's going to become some radioactive isotope of sodium when it meets up with a little tomato?
No, but the processing will affect the tomato
If that's you're logic, then I hope you're only eating raw food, food that hasn't been milled, and food that hasn't been frozen.4 -
tangent836 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »I understand that an adult man has to consume at least 500 mg of Sodium a day and more if he exercises. Ever since I started dieting, I've realized that I am often not eating enough salt. What are the healthiest sources of salt? How do I make sure I eat enough of it? Is it a bad idea to simply add table salt to the food I'm eating?
THIS is hilarious!!! Dude, you really need to educate yourself on nutrition. Sodium = salt! WTF. SPRINKLE SOME EFFIN SALT ON YOUR FOOD. There are some of the stupidest people on this website. LMAO. Man...
For starters, Salt = Sodium + Chloride In fact, salt is MOSTLY chloride. Sodium is a nutrient that is found in many foods, salt being only one among them. My question was whether salt was a good source of sodium, or whether it's better to get it from other foods such as vegetables.
sodium chloride isnt mostly chloride...it is a 1 to 1 ratio. Although the poster you were responding to was being rude they happen to be right. If somehow you are actually low on sodium then sprinkle some salt on your food.4 -
I really would advise that you not overthink the sodium thing, there is a lot more important things to put your effort towards.
There also isnt so much a one-size-fits-all amount to tell you. The amount of sodium you should take in is directly related to how much water you take in and how much you are sweating. If you sweat a lot and drink lots of water then you probably should have more sodium...but it is really easy to tell if you aren't getting enough...just note the color of your urine...
if your urine is straw color you are fine where you are. If it is darker then you need more water. If it is lighter you probably need more sodium or to drink less water.1 -
tangent836 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »I understand that an adult man has to consume at least 500 mg of Sodium a day and more if he exercises. Ever since I started dieting, I've realized that I am often not eating enough salt. What are the healthiest sources of salt? How do I make sure I eat enough of it? Is it a bad idea to simply add table salt to the food I'm eating?
THIS is hilarious!!! Dude, you really need to educate yourself on nutrition. Sodium = salt! WTF. SPRINKLE SOME EFFIN SALT ON YOUR FOOD. There are some of the stupidest people on this website. LMAO. Man...
For starters, Salt = Sodium + Chloride In fact, salt is MOSTLY chloride. Sodium is a nutrient that is found in many foods, salt being only one among them. My question was whether salt was a good source of sodium, or whether it's better to get it from other foods such as vegetables.
If you're actually low on sodium, you're not going to beef it up much with vegetables. I would look more to minimally processed foods like canned goods, cottage cheese, vegetable juice, etc.
I'm trying to avoid processed foods like the plague. Wouldn't it be better to just take a sodium table like @RunnerGrl1982 suggested? Also, wouldn't it be more convenient to take when I'm working out? That way I don't have to drink gatoraid (yuck).
sodium can only be taken as a salt. you can't injest pure sodium. I mean...you could, but it would be the last thing you did. So if there is a "sodium tablet" then all it is is a tablet with salt in it.7 -
I'm not sure what your diet is, but it's honestly pretty hard for me to believe you eat less than 500 mgs of sodium per day. That's pretty hard to do. I'm happy when I stay under 2,000 mgs quite frankly. If you make your diary public, we can take a look and see if you are really having less than 500mgs a day.
As for foods in the database, a lot do not have their sodium info entered. MFP only makes you add calorie info. Everything else is optional. If people are verifying it, they are most likely only paying attention to calorie information, and maybe macros. But not really sodium7 -
tangent836 wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »tangent836 wrote: »Roberta H. Anding is a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and a registered dietitian. She says that the less processed something is, the better it is for you.
But that doesn't necessarily make sense. You need more sodium, right? So if a processed item has more sodium, then it's actually better for you currently, right?
Possibly. I'm looking for the optimal solution. I want to consume the correct amount of sodium daily while avoiding processed food. Can't I have the best of both worlds?
Eat shrimp, decent amount of sodium AND a fair amount of potassium (another essential electrolyte) but really low in calories.0 -
I'm not sure what your diet is, but it's honestly pretty hard for me to believe you eat less than 500 mgs of sodium per day. That's pretty hard to do. I'm happy when I stay under 2,000 mgs quite frankly. If you make your diary public, we can take a look and see if you are really having less than 500mgs a day.
As for foods in the database, a lot do not have their sodium info entered. MFP only makes you add calorie info. Everything else is optional. If people are verifying it, they are most likely only paying attention to calorie information, and maybe macros. But not really sodium
How do I make my diary public?0 -
Himalayan pink salt in some warm water and salted on food is far healthier than table salt. Celtic sea salt is also a good option. Salt raises blood pressure so if you’re on the high side you might want to talk to your doctor before supplementing.15
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My favorite is spicy mustard. I can't believe you have less than 500 a day..... I get 5000-10000 a day because I add mustard/hotsauce/pickles/bananapeppers/etc to every meal and also eat a lot of pretzels, lol.
I even have a stockpile at all times of like 50 containers...
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tangent836 wrote: »I'm not sure what your diet is, but it's honestly pretty hard for me to believe you eat less than 500 mgs of sodium per day. That's pretty hard to do. I'm happy when I stay under 2,000 mgs quite frankly. If you make your diary public, we can take a look and see if you are really having less than 500mgs a day.
As for foods in the database, a lot do not have their sodium info entered. MFP only makes you add calorie info. Everything else is optional. If people are verifying it, they are most likely only paying attention to calorie information, and maybe macros. But not really sodium
How do I make my diary public?
Settings > Diary settings > Public1
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