Way too much sodium AND too much protein.

Do you have high blood pressure from the sodium?
I often eat a lot of salty foods, but have a healthy blood pressure, so that isn't an issue for me.
I'm not too worried by water retention and any other 'issues' I've seen regarding sodium, so quite happy to leave my salt intake as it is.

I have been eating a high sodium and high protein diet generally and managed to lose a good bit of weight and put on a bit of muscle at the same time. (Around 50lb since may.)

High blood pressure is not the only issue with high sodium.

Copied from this article: http://www.womenscircleofhealth.com/201002/sodium_dangers_feb10.php

Bone Health – excess sodium causes calcium to be removed from bone. This ultimately increases the risk for osteoporosis. Some experts speculate that the rate of osteoporosis in Americans is greater than that of other populations because of our high sodium diets. In addition to cutting back on sodium, increasing calcium and vitamin D intake through foods and calcium supplements like Adora Calcium can help prevent bone loss.

Kidney Disease & Kidney Stones – the kidneys remove excess sodium from the blood. When high sodium foods are consumed the kidneys must work harder. This can lead to kidney problems such as renal disease or kidney stones.

Bloating - Although it is not a life-threatening concern, sodium intake is also a primary contributor to bloating. Salty foods lead to water retention which promotes weight gain and lethargy.

I've been watching sodium for a long time due to blood pressure. The first thing that had to go was restaurant chains - Applebees, 99's TGI Fridays etc - these were killers. Pull up their nutritional menus someday and have a glance. 99 Restaurant has a sandwich with 8,000mg sodium. That's a 6 day's worth for me. Even when I thought I was being "good" and ordering turkey tips, I found out I was getting a 3-day supply of sodium. Next thing that had to go was cold cuts. Even the Boar's Head 47% reduced sodium turkey has around 400-500mg per 3 oz serving. Then any pre packaged/marinated meats. I used to love getting the Lloyds ribs at the grocery, but they're up around 1000mg for 2 rib pieces. (and who only has 2?)

try eating clean? fruits, vegetables etc...I usually net around 1000-1500 daily in my sodium. You can take a look at my diary if you want.

I looked at your food diary & you eat great!
My goal calories is the same as yours.

High blood pressure is not the only issue with high sodium.

Copied from this article: http://www.womenscircleofhealth.com/201002/sodium_dangers_feb10.php

Thanks for the link - this is something I'm genuinely interested in, so more data is always useful.
The article cites two references, but the second reference is another article which cites the first reference. (The link for the first reference doesn't work, but found some details elsewise.)
Unfortunately the full text is not available for us freely.
But what is available is the information that rather than a scientific 'study', this is a 'projection'.
Further, that the author(s) is a member of: "Institute of Medicine Committee on Population Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake", which does seem to suggest some bias to me!

I'm not trying to be critical for the sake of it and not saying that it's wrong or right; but before I make a decision on what to put in my body, I'd prefer there to be some more solid evidence.

Oh and incidentally, my macro-levels on MFP are set at 40%carbs, 45% protein, 15% fat. The bulk of my weight loss was done with a bit higher carbs and lower protein in percentages (I was just monitoring calories), but on joining MFP I upped the calories overall, but most of that was probably protein to try and make some 'use' of the reasonable bit of heavy manual work I was doing.

Just digging around a bit - found a few things that suggest women and teenage girls have been shown to have more calcium in their urine on higher salt diets.
I try to eat a fair bit of calcium (yoghurts etc), but also am a bloke, so have less worries on that specific part .

High blood pressure is not the only issue with high sodium.

Copied from this article: http://www.womenscircleofhealth.com/201002/sodium_dangers_feb10.php

Thanks for the link - this is something I'm genuinely interested in, so more data is always useful.
The article cites two references, but the second reference is another article which cites the first reference. (The link for the first reference doesn't work, but found some details elsewise.)
Unfortunately the full text is not available for us freely.
But what is available is the information that rather than a scientific 'study', this is a 'projection'.
Further, that the author(s) is a member of: "Institute of Medicine Committee on Population Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake", which does seem to suggest some bias to me!

I'm not trying to be critical for the sake of it and not saying that it's wrong or right; but before I make a decision on what to put in my body, I'd prefer there to be some more solid evidence.

Oh and incidentally, my macro-levels on MFP are set at 40%carbs, 45% protein, 15% fat. The bulk of my weight loss was done with a bit higher carbs and lower protein in percentages (I was just monitoring calories), but on joining MFP I upped the calories overall, but most of that was probably protein to try and make some 'use' of the reasonable bit of heavy manual work I was doing.

I just pulled that one at random because it gave the info about bones and kidneys I was looking for. There are lots of articles out there that say the same, and more. I'm also going on the advice of my physician. My blood pressure is perfect too. So was my father's even though he salted everything to the point of seeing the salt sitting on top of the food. His kidneys and bones were not so good.

Given the choice, I'd prefer to make my own any day - burgers made with lean steak minced at home can be tasty AND low fat (as well as sodium, I'd guess), where if you use shop bought lean mince it tends to be missing out in taste a bit.

Mimi: unfortunately I'm sceptical without facts to back things up for MY SITUATION specifically.
An awful lot is written in an awful lot of places (books as well as the internet) that contradicts scientific studies etc.)

For instance it's generally 'accepted' that you should go for "complex" carbs over simple ones like sucrose.
However this is an interesting article that suggests for me at least (I'm not an athlete or a body builder, but seem to have got myself to a reasonable level of fitness and be reasonably trim) it's probably not an issue http://www.simplyshredded.com/the-science-of-nutrition-is-a-carb-a-carb.html .

One really easy way to cut down on sodium is to make your own food, like other people have said. Me? I hate cooking, but I found a really easy way to make your own frozen dinner.

Cook up enough rice/noodles for the week. Use brown/whole grain as a healthier alternative. Buy yourself some plain, unseasoned frozen veggies. I like two buy 2-3 different packs so there's a huge variety of colors (vitamins).

Throw some veggies in the oven, still frozen, covered in foil, seasoned how you like, for 20-30 min. Find some low sodium sauces or just make them really spicy! I douse mine in garlic powder, onion powder, red chili flakes, and the tiniest bit of low-sodium tamari. Just toss the stuff on and throw it in the oven! You can change up the flavor whenever you want to and do some experimenting! And the things don't even taste like veggies anymore, it's like a garlic-onion explosion.

When it's done you have veggies and rice/noodles made with little effort and very low sodium.

Personally I don't enjoy eating foods with a lot of salt so it's really easy for me to eat low sodium. You just have to train your taste buds!

You should get a crock pot/slow cooker also, makes for easy, low effort meals.

Do you have high blood pressure from the sodium?
I often eat a lot of salty foods, but have a healthy blood pressure, so that isn't an issue for me.
I'm not too worried by water retention and any other 'issues' I've seen regarding sodium, so quite happy to leave my salt intake as it is.

I have been eating a high sodium and high protein diet generally and managed to lose a good bit of weight and put on a bit of muscle at the same time. (Around 50lb since may.)

High blood pressure is not the only issue with high sodium.



Copied from this article: http://www.womenscircleofhealth.com/201002/sodium_dangers_feb10.php

Bone Health – excess sodium causes calcium to be removed from bone. This ultimately increases the risk for osteoporosis. Some experts speculate that the rate of osteoporosis in Americans is greater than that of other populations because of our high sodium diets. In addition to cutting back on sodium, increasing calcium and vitamin D intake through foods and calcium supplements like Adora Calcium can help prevent bone loss.

Kidney Disease & Kidney Stones – the kidneys remove excess sodium from the blood. When high sodium foods are consumed the kidneys must work harder. This can lead to kidney problems such as renal disease or kidney stones.

Bloating - Although it is not a life-threatening concern, sodium intake is also a primary contributor to bloating. Salty foods lead to water retention which promotes weight gain and lethargy.

Thanks for this additional info! Very helpful. I tend to go over, and always need to be more cognizant of it.

Unless you have kidney issues or diabetes there really isn't too much protein. IMHO MFP sets protein limits about half what they should be.