Sodium allocation seems very high

lilylily

My average intake of sodium is way below my daily MFP allocation of 2,300. It's usually somewhere around 600. I have high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, both well-controlled by drugs, and am reluctant to increase my sodium intake to match the recommended 2,300.

Why is the allocation so high? Hope someone can advise please. I'm confused!

thanks
Sue

Lietchi

It's not a goal to reach, in the sense of a minimum, it's a number to stay below.

As a side note, not all food entries are correct regarding sodium content, many even lack that info altogether. So unless you've checked all the food entries you're using, your intake might actually higher than you think.

AnnPT77

You have reasons to limit sodium. It's fine to change your MFP goal in set-up, if you want to. MFP gives generic values based on mainstream nutritional advice to average people. Generally, it's consistent with sources like USDA, NHS, WHO, etc. for *average* people. You're not average, in that particular way. People may need to customize the goals for medical or even personal-preference reasons.

Besides, as Lietchi says, the sodium goal is logically a maximum. Other goals are more logically minimums. MFP doesn't make a distinction between which to treat as minimums vs. maximums in their view, which is unhelpful IMO.

wunderkindking

What Ann said. I do not have high BP. I have borderline LOW BP. If I restrict sodium too far I get lightheaded and feel gross. Sodium is one of those things where you listen to your doctor.

wilson10102018

The need for electrolytes is unrelated to you medical conditions. When your kidneys fail for lack of electrolytes you will have yet another medical problem caused by your diet.

lorrpb

It’s a number set by the USFDA, not MFP.

lilylily

Thanks everyone, very helpful.