Sodium goal - How important?

I don't profess to know the answers but this topic was a big post earlier in the day. See if you can find it because there was great information there.

Mike
Questfor250

I'm no expert either, but I do know that Fast food and pre-packaged foods are much higher in sodium than if you made the same type dish at home. Can you try to eat at home more often? I rarely eat "out" and I am ALWAYS under my sodium counts.

yea am always way low on my sodium count.... i rarely eat out.... if u prepare your meals at home it is much much better and wayy healthier!!

good luck!!!:flowerforyou:

The higher the sodium the more you will retain water, try to stay away from high sodium foods. No processed foods is best. You should try to shop on the outer edges of the store instead of the aisles. Most food is in the aisles is bad for you. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, yogurt, skim milk etc.. all on the outter walls. If you can't pronounce what's on the package most likely it is bad for you. Definitely stay away from chips, and as for subs or sandwiches use whole wheat with the wheat germ with no mayo or low fat mayo with tons of veggies (no premade subs) making for yourself is best but subway and mr sub have their calorie count and sodium count posted. Good luck!! and yes it is hard to train yourself to eat healthy and yes I do eat salads everyday I just get more creative on what kind and mix it up a bit. Also using a vingrette dressing has barely any sodium. I enjoy having salmon with brown rice from time to time, or having a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs and salsa. I am always way under with sodium count as well.

It's not that hard to stay under on sodium. 2500 is ABUNDANT. I'm on 1600 a day and do just fine. You just have to make better choices.

Yes, and actually, the max should be 2400. It makes you retain water so you show your losses a lot slower. Plus, its AWEFUL for your blood pressure...I try to stay under 2500 but more recently decided to even go less than that.

Here's some more information I found for you that will help a lot...

You've been trying to eat less sodium — just a pinch of table salt on your baked potato and a dash to your scrambled eggs.


The main sources of sodium in the average U.S. diet.

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But a pinch and a dash can quickly add up to unhealthy levels of sodium, especially when many foods already contain more than enough sodium. About 11 percent of the sodium in the average U.S. diet comes from adding salt or other sodium-containing condiments to foods while cooking or eating. But the majority of the sodium — 77 percent — comes from eating prepared or processed foods that contain the mineral. So even though you may limit the amount of salt you add to food, the food itself may already be high in sodium.

Are you getting too much? Here's where sodium sneaks into your diet and ways you can shake the habit.

Sodium: Essential in small amounts
Your body needs some sodium to function properly. Sodium:

■Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body
■Helps transmit nerve impulses
■Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles
Your kidneys regulate the amount of sodium kept in your body. When sodium levels are low, your kidneys conserve sodium. When levels are high, they excrete the excess amount in urine.

If your kidneys can't eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases. Increased blood volume, in turn, makes your heart work harder to move more blood through your blood vessels, increasing pressure in your arteries. Certain diseases such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can lead to an inability to regulate sodium.

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. People who are sodium sensitive retain sodium more easily, leading to excess fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If you're in that group, extra sodium in your diet increases your chance of developing high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

How much sodium do you need?
Various organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, have published recommendations on daily sodium limits. Most recommend not exceeding the range of 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams (mg) a day for healthy adults. Keep in mind that the lower your sodium, the more beneficial effect on blood pressure.

If you are older than 50, are black or have a health condition such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, you may be more sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of sodium. As a result, aim for a sodium limit at the low end of the range recommended for healthy adults. Talk to your doctor about the sodium limit that's best for you.