Sodium Intake

ShelleyBowman
ShelleyBowman Posts: 54 Member
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Good evening...

My weight loss journey began (again) at the beginning of the year. I started at 170 with a goal of reaching 145. I got down to 161. Now I seem to fluctuate between 161-165 on any given day. Although my choices are not perfect, I am eating 100% better than I did in the time that resulted in my 170 pounds. After reading through a lot of great posts and even greater responses, I have to wonder if sodium is the culprit? How does one determine the ideal amount of sodium intake?

Thanks in advance for reading & replying! :)

Replies

  • lajuice24
    lajuice24 Posts: 409 Member
    My sodium has been a struggle for me and I have tweeked it over the last week and I am seeing it get better. I increased my water also to try to flush out some of the sodium. I am trying to make sure that I do not rely on packaged foods because the salt is so high. I used the reports on here to help me figure just how much I was taking in and started to track it.
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    Interesting side note: If your sodium levels are too high and you're retaining water because of it that means less water is making it's way to your intestines...causing constipation, bloating and probably a pound or so of excrement added to the scales.

    Also, if the poo is just sitting there I'm pretty sure your body reabsorbs at least a small amount of waste. Not good. :-/
  • ShelleyBowman
    ShelleyBowman Posts: 54 Member
    WOW! First of all, thanks DG & Juice for responding! UPDATE: I just went into my diary and looked at the printable report which I see tracks A LOT more! INSANE! On an average... I have been consuming 2500-3000 mg of sodium daily! I even have a few days that were upwards of 4000! Ugh! OMG! I'm gonna have a heart attack! Literally! :( In my defense though, in the last week or two, I've been down to 700-1000 mg which is a HUGE improvement. I still don't know how to figure out "ideal".
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    In the past, people were alloted 2500mg of sodium. In today's standard it's recommended to have 1500 mg's with a max of 2300mg according to the National Academy of Sciences.


    Also, another thing you should look at is your suger/carb intake. if you eat a lot of fruits, it will stop or slow down your weight loss progress.
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