I don't care about sodium... should I?

LaurenAOK · May 2013

I know a lot of people around here track their sodium, but I never have. I happen to know that I eat A LOT of sodium. I mean, I'll microwave popcorn and then ADD salt to it (because it's the SmartPop kind and it doesn't have enough flavor for me). I eat pretty healthy, and try to stick to whole foods, but some processed stuff definitely sneaks in there. I'm not so much concerned about the salt in processed food I eat though. I'm more wondering about things like the salt I add to almost everything I eat, soy sauce, pickles (I love them for snacks but so high in sodium), baking soda which I bake with very often, etc.

I know sodium can cause bloating and I don't really care too much about that, I don't really get bloated that often and I drink a TON of water so it probably balances out. Is there any other reason I should be concerned with sodium?

Acg67 · May 2013

I know a lot of people around here track their sodium, but I never have. I happen to know that I eat A LOT of sodium. I mean, I'll microwave popcorn and then ADD salt to it (because it's the SmartPop kind and it doesn't have enough flavor for me). I eat pretty healthy, and try to stick to whole foods, but some processed stuff definitely sneaks in there. I'm not so much concerned about the salt in processed food I eat though. I'm more wondering about things like the salt I add to almost everything I eat, soy sauce, pickles (I love them for snacks but so high in sodium), baking soda which I bake with very often, etc.

I know sodium can cause bloating and I don't really care too much about that, I don't really get bloated that often and I drink a TON of water so it probably balances out. Is there any other reason I should be concerned with sodium?

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/Sodium-Intake-in-Populations-Assessment-of-Evidence.aspx

stealthq · May 2013

If you don't have a medical condition where you need to restrict your sodium intake, then probably not.

There's preliminary research at Harvard that suggests excess sodium - and the sodium levels recommended by the macros definitely count as excess - has negative effects on your immune system. But, it's a long way from being proven and I, at least, am not willing to eat at the super low sodium levels used as a control (barely more than is needed for survival). I want my food to taste good.

RobP1192 · May 2013

My typical sodium intake is through the ROOF!... i haven't died yet. I make sure my potassium intake is higher.

eep223 · May 2013

What I've always heard is that sodium isn't a problem unless you already have high blood pressure. Normal and healthy, it shouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure how current those studies are though.

That said, I can definitely feel it the next day when I've had a lot. I don't have a sodium goal, but I do keep an eye on my levels on here.

nihil_gnome · May 2013

Looking forward to seeing the discussion on this... it's the one nutrient I'm not keeping under in my logs, but so far it's for lack of trying.

BusyRaeNOTBusty · May 2013

I don't pay attention to it either.

sullyk85 · May 2013

High sodium intake increases risk of stroke and heart attack and can be the cause of high blood pressure. But many people with those problems aren't eating balanced otherwise which it sounds like you are.

laele75 · May 2013

The more food you eat, the higher your sodium level is. There's no getting around it, even if you eat mostly whole. As people above me said, unless you actually have a heart condition or HBP (like me), there's no reason to stress over your sodium level. The healthy recommendation is 2300mg, but as long as you don't go crazy, you should be fine.

People like me should eat 1500 or less. Which I blew today, promised the kiddo McDonald's since I had to drag him out sick to go to the pharmacy. Even no salt on the fries and 4 piece nugget with no sauce was 600+mg. Bah.

I don't care about sodium... should I?

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