Do low carbs=high sodium?

burkhart_h
burkhart_h Posts: 11 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have been on the low carb diet for a little over 2 months now losing about 20lbs, which i think should be more,but i will take it. :) my question is..on the low carb diet how much sodium is to much sodium and is that why i am not losing as much weight as they say you can with it? I am eating about 1400-1600 calories a day, 50 or under in carbs, 2500 is my sodium and some days i am under that and some days i am over it. Do Low Carbs = High SodiumI I also work out 30 mins a day to Jillian Micheals Body Revolution.

Replies

  • Mistizoom
    Mistizoom Posts: 578 Member
    If you are eating low carb you should be getting 3,000-5,000 mg/day. That info comes from The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living by Phinney and Volek. I highly recommend the book if you haven't read it. To be honest, 50 g carbs/day may very well be too many for you to lose. Try 30 or fewer and see if that helps.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    It's only high sodium if you eat a lot of high sodium foods. My goal is 2500mg a day as well, and I can usually stay under it or just a little over. There are days where I'm way over, like when eating out. All it affects is water weight, so if you gain a couple lbs after a high sodium day, it's not going to matter in the long run.

    You do need to increase you sodium when you 1st start eating like this, but only for a week or so, you are way beyond that point.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    No...

    do you check the sodium content on what you purchase? i look for low sodium or no salt added foods or I just cook at home and omit the salt. I am usually way under sodium.
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    It's pretty hard to eat "too much sodium" if you don't have health problems like HBP.
    Take a look at my sodium. I pay no attention to it whatsoever but I guarantee you that some days I'll be around 4000 mg.
  • burkhart_h
    burkhart_h Posts: 11 Member
    What can I eat besides bacon,sausage,brats, chicken and cheese since they are low in carbs? veggies i know are low as well?
  • Mistizoom
    Mistizoom Posts: 578 Member
    Take a look at the Atkins Induction (phase 1) and Ongoing weight loss (phase 2) food lists on their site.
  • Mistizoom
    Mistizoom Posts: 578 Member
    I actually don't even do Atkins (I do NK/nutritional ketosis/LCHF/low carb high fat) but I do generally follow the food list guidelines there for the most part, though I don't pay to much attention to the amounts since I track macros here on MFP (usually!)

    Phase 1 list: http://www.atkins.com/Program/Phase-1/What-You-Can-Eat-in-this-Phase.aspx

    Phase 2 list: http://www.atkins.com/Program/Phase-2/What-You-Can-Eat-in-this-Phase.aspx
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    What can I eat besides bacon,sausage,brats, chicken and cheese since they are low in carbs? veggies i know are low as well?

    You can eat pretty much anything. I only skip "white carbs" like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, but even those you can have some in moderation if you have the carbs to spare.

    Typical day for me is 2-3 eggs and 2 sausage patties for breakfast. Big salad with chicken or pepperoni and cheese on it for lunch. Big portion of meat 10-16oz of beef, pork, chicken, fish and a big serving 12-16oz of a veggie like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, squash/zucchini, cabbage.
  • jasonmh630
    jasonmh630 Posts: 2,850 Member
    I try to keep mine around 3,000mg/day.
  • iPlatano
    iPlatano Posts: 487 Member
    Are you trying to lose FAT or water weight? Im confused.
  • GuyIncognito123
    GuyIncognito123 Posts: 263 Member
    If it's that high, you're probably eating a lot of processed foods.

    My daily goals are around 40g of carbs and 1300mg sodium.
  • obum88
    obum88 Posts: 262 Member
    no it shouldn't especially if you are cooking your own food. You can have egg, chicken, steak and pork. Pick good choice cuts that are low in fat. I tried the low carb thing and find I am more a moderation type person like 40/40/20 macros or more long those lines. Also my question to people are, 'can you eat thing way forever?' Also when these types of questions are posed, I think people can respond better if you diary is open. Most of us are probably guilty of overestimating calories burned and underestimating calorie consumed.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    What can I eat besides bacon,sausage,brats, chicken and cheese since they are low in carbs? veggies i know are low as well?

    Buy a whole turkey breast and roast it without the gravy packet or added salt
    Buy a beef roast and roast it in your crock pot with 1/4 c water (or oven roast with no salt)
    Get Canadian Bacon instead of ham or bacon
    Eggs

    These make great high protein, low sodium meals, sandwiches, and snacks.

    (I am not eating low carb but I am eating reduced carb because of a recent diabetes diagnosis and I am trying to keep my sodium to no more than 2300 mg because of peripheral edema)
  • Chris_Pierce
    Chris_Pierce Posts: 267 Member
    I'm pretty low carb. Not that I try hard at it, I just stay away from gluten. Or try to anyway. My sodium is only high if I go out to eat.

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