Sodium??

buildingdreams
buildingdreams Posts: 173 Member
in Food and Nutrition
What is the recoomended daily amout of Sodium. I dont have high blood pressure but im not losing and some one mentioed my sodium. MFP has my goal at 2500. is that an acceptable amount?

Replies

  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    Yes. Although, some countries have reduced the RDA to 1500 mg. That is the ceiling for low-sodium diets for those with hypertension tec.
  • Melissa26point2
    Melissa26point2 Posts: 177 Member
    I try to stay under 2,500 mg. I tend to retain and see a huge difference on the scale if I have more. I have heard that if you don't have blood pressure issues, 2,500 is a decent number to aim for. Also, it's important to make sure you are drinking lots of water everyday. That will help flush it out
  • DragonflyF15
    DragonflyF15 Posts: 437 Member
    I often find I can go up 5lbs after a high sodium day. I've put mine at 1500 and it's hard to keep it there...I'm always surprised at how much sodium is in certain foods that don't taste salty :(
  • buildingdreams
    buildingdreams Posts: 173 Member
    Ok, I was thinking that was why i wasnt losing weight in the last 3 weeks but my soium has been 2600 daily. Posering if I should still lower to see a loss
  • Faye_Anderson
    Faye_Anderson Posts: 1,495 Member
    According to your diary you've been quite a bit over sodium, maybe try to keep it under 2400?
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    Set it somewhere between 1500 and 2500. The latter is for a normal diet and the former is for those with salt sensitivities. What also helps is if you increase your potassium. The recommended amount is 4500 and most people in the U.S. don't meet that (imo).
  • mrsnecincy
    mrsnecincy Posts: 115 Member
    I have a problem with sodium causing water retention at the moment. Just to give you an idea the other day my sodium was over 3000 just from a slice of pizza. That day I was drinking a lot of water and the following morning I was up 1.5lb. I gained and lost 3lb the week before from the same problem so I'll be keeping an eye on it. Trouble is it's in everything. Tea and yogurt for example. I was wondering if there's anything you can do to help your body process it? You know in the way vit C helps process iron. I'm going to try and keep well below 2000 and keep the water up.
  • mrsnecincy
    mrsnecincy Posts: 115 Member
    Just re read and saw the bit about potassium. Going to try that. I know it's in bananas but I'll google other sources.
  • rebeccap13
    rebeccap13 Posts: 754 Member
    Sodium is not a major concern, in fact active people tend to be fine with much higher than the recommended 2500 mg.

    Water can help but like someone mentioned its really a potassium sodium balance.

    Focus more on your macronutrients and calories than things that are relatively trivial for the average Jane like sodium and sugar.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    The latest I've read for hypertension is a 2:1 ratio of K to Na seems to be more important than actual amounts.
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    Just re read and saw the bit about potassium. Going to try that. I know it's in bananas but I'll google other sources.

    Another source I use is chocolate milk. After a really rough workout, I'll drink chocolate milk and eat a banana. Helps with getting my potassium up and with relieving muscle soreness.
  • ashleab37
    ashleab37 Posts: 575 Member
    Ok, I was thinking that was why i wasnt losing weight in the last 3 weeks but my soium has been 2600 daily. Posering if I should still lower to see a loss
    High sodium will not stop you from losing weight, but it can make the scale appear higher the next few mornings. If you haven't lost in 3 weeks it's nothing to do with sodium, your calorie intake isn't correct.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • kapoorpk
    kapoorpk Posts: 244 Member
    Sodium is essential electrolyte that is needed by your body. The RDA is expressed as less than 2,500 mg a day. Not only excess Sodium raised blood pressure, but it also retains more water in the body, making you feel heavier than you should be. As such, staying around 1500mg is probably ideal. Hope that helps.
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    I try to stay under 1500 mg. a day. It's tough but it can be done!
  • hendinerik
    hendinerik Posts: 287 Member
    My nutritionist had told me to aim for 1500 but I seldom make that, unless I have made almost all the food I eat for the day myself.

    It's also interesting that a lot of places that offer "healthy" food have dishes with a lot of sodium (Energy Kitchen, Muscle Maker Grill etc).

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