Low-Sodium Success

Mindful_Trent

So, I realized back when I started on MFP (a year ago!) that I was regularly eating WAAAY too much sodium, even when I was sticking to my calories. Since then I've been working to eat as clean as possible - cutting out processed foods and processed sugars, eating mostly fresh fruit/veggies, beans, lean protein, eggs and whole grains (as unprocessed as possible).

I looked at the last 30 days for sodium, and I only went over 2000 mg eight times, and only six of those were over 2500 mg. I still have bad days now and then, but I've realized it's NOT that difficult to keep sodium levels healthy. Now that I'm used to eating unprocessed foods, it's almost a no-brainer!

Anyone who is curious is welcome to take a peek at my food diary. I'm actually between 1000 and 1500mg/day most of the time now. I still have my bad days, but overall I'm very proud of the progress I've made in this area. :drinker:

wiseg2

Good job!

I've been trying to cut down on my sodium but its a battle. I know I'm eating less then I was but its still not where I want it to be.

mem50

I did take a peek. Then I went to mine. YIKES. I did not have it set for sodium. Now it is. Certain items are now off of the food list!

Not a wonder why I have felt so bloated this week.

Thanks for the tips.

CGerman

Nice work!

I personally thought it was harder to cut down sodium than calories, but as a bonus when you cut out salt you tend to eat healthier all around. I think it's all about planning ahead and paying attention to what you're eating/cooking with. I'm right there with you - I average about 1000-1300/day.

Mindful_Trent

I did take a peek. Then I went to mine. YIKES. I did not have it set for sodium. Now it is. Certain items are now off of the food list!

Not a wonder why I have felt so bloated this week.

Thanks for the tips.

Yup - too much sodium can have a HUGE effect on how you feel, and on water retention. I was amazed when I started tracking mine... Now eating something that's too salty doesn't even taste good anymore. :sick:

KarenBorter

People don't understand how sodium plays a part in success or lack there of when counting calories. I am surprised actually that Sodium isn't a default? Or is it? I just asked 2 of my friends to add Sodium to their tracking ... I urge everyone to track sodium. Great post !

StacySkinny

I've been eating healthier for the past five months and still find it difficult to maintain lower sodium levels. Mainly because I cook so much veggies and find them pretty bland without salt or soy sauce. I'm even using the low sodium soy sauces and still find myself going over on my daily sodium more than I'd like.

candlegal

I know what you mean about sodium, I always try to watch that too. I don't eat much processed foods but it amazes me how much sodium is in some whole foods just naturally. Boneless skinless chicken breast who knew, I wonder if it is less sodium if you just buy a whole chicken and cut it up yourself. Maybe that is just naturally occurring. Processed food has sooooooooo much sodium, even if it is something sweet!

Mindful_Trent

I've been eating healthier for the past five months and still find it difficult to maintain lower sodium levels. Mainly because I cook so much veggies and find them pretty bland without salt or soy sauce. I'm even using the low sodium soy sauces and still find myself going over on my daily sodium more than I'd like.

I've found that the less I use salt, the less I want it. Try going for a week without adding it to anything - you may be surprised! There are also plenty of seasonings (I bought a garlic-pepper one) that have no sodium in it. "Mrs Dash" type. My tastes actually changed the less I ate processed food - I now enjoy the natural taste of fruits and veggies so much more than i used to! I think that a lifetime of eating processed/restaurant/fast-food foods makes us not even really know or appreciate the natural taste of things. I'm learning to enjoy tastes other than sweet and salty now.

hyenagirl

I'm not a huge fan of salty things, and I don't like putting salt on food. I used to have migraines every day, then I started to increase my sodium levels, and they went away. With migraines I was getting only 10-20% of my daily value every day. Now I'm up to 1500 mg and doing good.

Mindful_Trent

I'm not a huge fan of salty things, and I don't like putting salt on food. I used to have migraines every day, then I started to increase my sodium levels, and they went away. With migraines I was getting only 10-20% of my daily value every day. Now I'm up to 1500 mg and doing good.

Yeah - our bodies do need *some* sodium - it is a vital nutrient for pretty much every system in our body. Most people don't even need to try to get enough (I've read the minimum is about 500 mg/day) but maybe some people (like yourself) are more sensitive.