Sodium? - is it important to meet the target set

grapefruitannie
grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi I am new to this and there is soooo much information my brain hurts sometimes, but i love this site. Please can anyone tell me if you have to meet, or at least get close to all of your macro targets in particular sodium as i never get near this.

Thank you Annie
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Replies

  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    i always thought the goal was to be as far away from it as possible? :indifferent:
  • kend9998
    kend9998 Posts: 35 Member
    i don't think i have ever stayed within the sodium one. I don't really know what to tell you though, because although I have lost 15 lbs., my losing has slowed to a crawl lately. I'm trying to cut back on salt to see if that will help. I have noticed that I have to drink a lot of water to help counteract the sodium/bloating effect though.
  • CharRicho
    CharRicho Posts: 389 Member
    Nope, better to be UNDER on sodium, if possible. Definitely try not to go over.
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    That would be the same with everything then? Don't go over it don't go under it not much else to say?
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    That would be the same with everything then? Don't go over it don't go under it not much else to say?
    everyone's bodies are different and respond differently. i personally try to stay under carbs as much as possible (i dont do low carb however) because i know it bloats me. generally i try to hit or be slightly under the goals. protein wise you'd be wise to get as close to target as possible because foods that are rich in protein fill you up.
  • potluck965
    potluck965 Posts: 529 Member
    In this case it is better thought of as a limit rather than a goal.
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    Thank you :drinker:
  • vferrarii
    vferrarii Posts: 4
    The USDA recommends for (healthy) people to aim for 2400 mg of Sodium, it is very hard to escape sodium- it is an essential electrolyte, however many of us probably go over that 2400 mg and high NA consumption can lead to increased blood pressure. It's a great goal to aim for 2400 mg or lower! People who have illnesses that require low NA diets such sa CHF or kidney disease aim for 2000 mg of lower- which is also good and okay for healthy people to follow as well. But goodluck! Most of the foods we love have alot of Sodium- since it does help increase shelf life of food products!

    Just an example, 1 tsp of salt = 2400 mg of sodium so watch out to all those salt lovers!!! :)
  • Tsmartin07
    Tsmartin07 Posts: 73
    My opinion is that the lower the sodium (1500-2,000), the less water you retain and the cleaner you ending having to eat in order to meet that quota. So,eating healthier goes hand in hand with lowering your sodium.
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    The USDA recommends for (healthy) people to aim for 2400 mg of Sodium, it is very hard to escape sodium- it is an essential electrolyte, however many of us probably go over that 2400 mg and high NA consumption can lead to increased blood pressure. It's a great goal to aim for 2400 mg or lower! People who have illnesses that require low NA diets such sa CHF or kidney disease aim for 2000 mg of lower- which is also good and okay for healthy people to follow as well. But goodluck! Most of the foods we love have alot of Sodium- since it does help increase shelf life of food products!

    Just an example, 1 tsp of salt = 2400 mg of sodium so watch out to all those salt lovers!!! :)

    Thank you - good job i do not like salt much then lol i will endeavour to stay away from processed foods.

    And Thank you everyone elase for taking the time to comment most appreciated :)
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    Bad in what way? Assuming you don't suffer from hypertension or have another medical condition that would warrant you to be mindful of sodium, it is nothing to really worry about
  • pholbert
    pholbert Posts: 575 Member
    I have read that staying 1500 or less of sodium is best.
  • vferrarii
    vferrarii Posts: 4
    Your very welcome Ann, I am the sodium guru hehe ;)

    usda.gov or chooseMyplate.gov has more stuff on sodium if you are interested
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    All macros are not the same. Calorie goal - aim to hit as close as you can. Protein - by and large regard this as a min. Ditto fibre. Sodium is a ceiling that you should try to stay under.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    Bad in what way? Assuming you don't suffer from hypertension or have another medical condition that would warrant you to be mindful of sodium, it is nothing to really worry about

    Agreed... I have never once worried about sodium, let alone tracked it and it hasn't hurt my weight loss or atleast I don't think it has... I just drink my fair share of water.... Best of Luck
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    2500 mg is the max for sodium, but it's always better to be under. If you can stick closer to 1500 mg, even better.
  • susanswan
    susanswan Posts: 1,194 Member
    Addressing the sodium, the current medical recommendation is to NOT go over 1500mg/day. All processed food obviously has lots of sodium, but surprisingly plant food has naturally occurring sodium which is the most beneficial type to get in your diet.
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    Bad in what way? Assuming you don't suffer from hypertension or have another medical condition that would warrant you to be mindful of sodium, it is nothing to really worry about

    Thank you for your input i am trying to understand and ask alot of #why's
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    Bad in what way? Assuming you don't suffer from hypertension or have another medical condition that would warrant you to be mindful of sodium, it is nothing to really worry about

    Thank you and Go you Great weight loss well done x

    Agreed... I have never once worried about sodium, let alone tracked it and it hasn't hurt my weight loss or atleast I don't think it has... I just drink my fair share of water.... Best of Luck
  • grapefruitannie
    grapefruitannie Posts: 122 Member
    oh dont know what happened there not too good with these quote things i think

    Thank you everyone for your input!

    Plant food sodium however i do not know what that is so will have to google lol
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hi I am new to this and there is soooo much information my brain hurts sometimes, but i love this site. Please can anyone tell me if you have to meet, or at least get close to all of your macro targets in particular sodium as i never get near this.

    Thank you Annie

    Sodium is a micro-nutrient, not a macronutrient. The sodium number is best viewed not as a goal, but a limit. Under is better. Your body needs very little sodium to function. Only a small fraction of the RDA limit.
  • veronica341972
    veronica341972 Posts: 22
    Better not to overdue on sodium (less is better). If you read up on Eat To Live on line by Dr. Fuhrman, doctors will tell you that 1,500 two 2,000 is good however less than that is better for your health. I am hypertensive (thank God I was finally taken off my last bp medication as of yesterday!), however I am NO LONGER going back to eating how I used to eat. I am very sodium conscious and frankly less is much better..........
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    it makes sence to be under sodium but why does it state so high, from what i have read (so far) people seem to say that you should try and reach the macros stated. Very confused :(
    dont go over it. under = good, over = bad. not much else to say

    Bad in what way? Assuming you don't suffer from hypertension or have another medical condition that would warrant you to be mindful of sodium, it is nothing to really worry about

    Agreed... I have never once worried about sodium, let alone tracked it and it hasn't hurt my weight loss or atleast I don't think it has... I just drink my fair share of water.... Best of Luck

    These 2 post! Don't get hung up in the minutae. Hit your calorie target. Hit your macros. Work out.
  • pfgaytriot
    pfgaytriot Posts: 238 Member
    I've noticed that my friends that complain that they're not losing weight despite the fact that they're watching what their calorie intake and exercising are going waaaay over their daily recommended sodium intake. As soon as they start adding that into equation, the weight starts to come off easier. Try to stay at or below 2,500 daily. Sodium keeps you bloated. Read ALL food labels! Sodium intake is VERY important!

    Just wanted to add that too much sodium can also lead to health problems later down the road. Keep the want to lose the weight, but work to be healthy, too.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Sodium is what you want to be LOW on (unless you have a particular genetic problem).

    I think MFP is high - my aim is 1500 mg and go as far under that as possible.
  • Woofkaz4
    Woofkaz4 Posts: 8
    Hi Annie,
    I do not feel it is as crucial to meet the sodium numbers as much as it would be to meet the protein and fat. I am very sensitive to sodium, so I don't even come close to it and I have lost 27lbs so far. No worries.:smile:
  • koko12
    koko12 Posts: 81 Member
    for a weight lifter sodium is that bad and can be used to ones advantage. like right now im in comp prep and i take in up to or over the amount stated my MFP. but i also eat whole foods, nothing canned or processed. it comes down to how comfortable you are in your own skin regarding your intake of anything
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    You don't want to aim to meet the 2500mg setting. That should be looked at as a max instead of a goal to strive towards. Too much sodium can cause/hurt health issues and lead to more water retention.

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