More or less?

7funnygirl7
7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
in Food and Nutrition
Is it better to go over your sodium and eat healthier things or better to stay under and eat not as healthy things? For example; some soups are great for you~loaded with veggies...yet, high in sodium. I'm usually under my sodium of 2500 mgs for the day but just curious if anyone is not worried about sodium levels and why?

Replies

  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    Do you have any examples? I would think that most healthy foods (fruits, veggies, lean meat) are low in sodium. I do believe that salmon is quite high in sodium, but what else?
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    Do you have any examples? I would think that most healthy foods (fruits, veggies, lean meat) are low in sodium. I do believe that salmon is quite high in sodium, but what else?
    Another example would be turkey sausage, turkey bacon, spaghetti sauce.. Just curious if anyone really worries about sodium too much or not.
  • myfitnessval
    myfitnessval Posts: 687 Member
    i think its kind of dependent upon the individual. are you being told by doctors to watch your sodium? is this a daily occurance? are you just trying to avoid bloating? for me i dont really stress it if i go over because usually its by a small amount or just once in a while and i have no real medical reason i should be worried. but it could be different for you.
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    i think its kind of dependent upon the individual. are you being told by doctors to watch your sodium? is this a daily occurance? are you just trying to avoid bloating? for me i dont really stress it if i go over because usually its by a small amount or just once in a while and i have no real medical reason i should be worried. but it could be different for you.
    I have no issues and my doctor did tell me that a daily limit of 2500 mg is recommended for anyone. IDK~just missing some of my "canned" & "boxed" foods...LOL
  • dadof2boyz
    dadof2boyz Posts: 156 Member
    Everything we buy that's already made has some level of sodium, so I find it very difficult staying within good sodium levels all the time. I prefer to get a handle on my weight first, and focus on the calories. Once I get that under control I will turn to focus on sodium. But for me it's more important to be watchful overall but to focus on the calories first.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I don't worry about sodium at all. And I eat a TON of it. People are either salt-sensitive or not salt sensitive- so far there is no evidence that I am salt sensitive. I add it to like everything I eat, and always have. I have low blood pressure, and have done some experimentation with lowering and raising sodium and monitoring my blood pressure, and it seems to have no effect.

    The fact is, if you're not salt sensitive, don't have high BP, etc you don't need to monitor or restrict sodium. The general health guidelines are set based on the assumption that people cannot figure out for themselves if they need to watch sodium, so it's low enough to work for everyone.

    The downside is that even if you're not sensitive, extra salt can make you temporarily retain water. Good news is, you reduce your sodium for a couple days and it's gone.No biggie. I don't know why people stress out about this so much- it's like the non-gluten sensitive people arbitrarily cutting out gluten from their diets.
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    I don't worry about sodium at all. And I eat a TON of it. People are either salt-sensitive or not salt sensitive- so far there is no evidence that I am salt sensitive. I add it to like everything I eat, and always have. I have low blood pressure, and have done some experimentation with lowering and raising sodium and monitoring my blood pressure, and it seems to have no effect.

    The fact is, if you're not salt sensitive, don't have high BP, etc you don't need to monitor or restrict sodium. The general health guidelines are set based on the assumption that people cannot figure out for themselves if they need to watch sodium, so it's low enough to work for everyone.

    The downside is that even if you're not sensitive, extra salt can make you temporarily retain water. Good news is, you reduce your sodium for a couple days and it's gone.No biggie. I don't know why people stress out about this so much- it's like the non-gluten sensitive people arbitrarily cutting out gluten from their diets.
    Thank you! I do drink my 8 glasses or more of water a day anyhow. Never had high BP either.. I'm simply finding that I am watching it so much that it is driving me crazy!..LOL
  • FitnSassy
    FitnSassy Posts: 263 Member
    Most of those examples offer a lower sodium option, which I purchase due to high blood pressure. My sodium limit is set at 2300 for this same reason (but sometimes I go over). I also tend to retain water when I consume too much. I like salt, and I always choose sea salt when possible. :happy:
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    Most of those examples offer a lower sodium option, which I purchase due to high blood pressure. My sodium limit is set at 2300 for this same reason (but sometimes I go over). I also tend to retain water when I consume too much. I like salt, and I always choose sea salt when possible. :happy:
    I actually haven't used a "salt shaker" in over 18 months. I know when there is a high amount of sodium in things and totally can't eat them now..LOL I do opt for the lower sodium items as much as possible too. I don't have a problem staying under, I just wanted to know if I need to spaz out worrying about too much sodium.:laugh:
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    I think. you should eat your soup! ;) enjoy!
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    I think. you should eat your soup! ;) enjoy!
    Thanks! :)
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    Eat those soups and when they are gone, start making your own from scratch.
  • sassyredgirl
    sassyredgirl Posts: 162 Member
    Well as a recent woman who has had a heart attack I worried about the sodium intake as well doc says he's not worried about that just the fat intake so I wouldn't worry too much about it either.
  • NeverGoingToQuit
    NeverGoingToQuit Posts: 49 Member
    I have high blood pressure and go over my sodium all the time. I drink 7-12 glasses of water a day and sometimes I can tell that I retained water and other times not so much. Though I have high blood pressure and go over my sodium, My blood pressure has reduced greatly from working out and eating better so I don't stress as much though this I haven't been very good at all with my diet this week but getting back on track monday. You have to chose your battles. I am chosing to get my weight and calories under control first. Then I will worry baout the other things
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    Eat those soups and when they are gone, start making your own from scratch.
    I do make 75% of my own meals. I do make batches of soup & stew come winter months..but it is summer here right now so no soup making for me!..LOL I will use up what is in my cupboard..i've just been so paranoid about sodium that I haven't touched them.
  • 7funnygirl7
    7funnygirl7 Posts: 1,176
    Thanks for all you input pals!! :smile:

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