Crash Course on Sodium please

reddcat

Hi! Stupid question here. Newbie...bear with me. I have been at this since Jan 3 and have lost 1.4 pounds since joining this site (six since I have started "dieting"). Very disappointing! BUT, my body is changing and I am switching from being scale-driven to checking my measurments.
I track carbs, protein, fat, and fiber. I was tracking sugars, but got disgusted every day when it was in red just for eating a banana. SO, I switched to tracking sodium and need help.
What is the deal with sodium?? I know we need it to keep water levels in balance and so forth. I know it is not good to go over the daily limit.....but how far under should you go?? What is the good range for sodium??
Help please!

foxxybrown

"A diet that is high in sodium can result in considerable health risks, including an elevated risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, which can lead to further complications, including kidney damage. Because proper kidney function is required to eliminate salt from the body, a decrease in productivity can have dire consequences. When the body is unable to control the amount of sodium that is being released, swelling can occur in the face and appendages. Shortness of breath can occur, as well as weakening of the heart muscle. This vicious cycle of events can be avoided by monitoring sodium intake."

If you sweat a lot in your workouts, you will need more sodium than most because you lose sodium when sweating. Sodium is necessary for your body to function properly.

Read more: About the Negative Effects of Sodium | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4622347_negative-effects-sodium.html#ixzz1E9ERmRNt

AdamATGATT

My limit is 2500, so I usually go between 1500-2000 a day.

Salt is needed to keep your body in balance, so don't go too low, and don't blow it out of the water either. This isn't an exact thing, everyone is different. Experiment and find whats best for you.

catherine1979

THe Public Health Agency of Canada recommends 1500 mg a day for an average person.

sabrinafaith

i try to stay under 1600 mg/day. i get very bloated when i go over 2000 mg/day. Cut your sodium down to 1800 mg/day, and you will loose more weight, your body is probably storing a lot of water.

Tomhusker

I get frustrated tracking my sodium. After working out I get a bunch of calories back, but do not eat them back because my sodium will go over if I do.

MSDRIZZ

If your blood pressure is good and you don't get puffy and bloated alot then don't stress sodium. Don't eat alot of packaged foods. Try to use other herbs to enhance the flavor of things. If your blood pressure is high then yes reduce your sodium as much as possible. If you overdo the salt or don't drink as much water one day and get puffy drink hot water with lemon juice that night and see if it helps. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4708