Sodium and Carb Goals

Srsmith1955
Srsmith1955 Posts: 29 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have a question about these goals in my diary. I can't see to it them. My question is what if I don't meet my goals. Goal for Sodium is 2500, but I am only at 600. Goal for Carbs is 110, but I am only at 55. Is that okay to be low on that stuff when my "goal" says to be higher.... significantly?

Please let me know cause I don't know if I should be concerned. I do not add salt to any of my meals.

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    low sodium is probably OK as a lot of the foods in the database don't have it entered anyway. If you start to get headaches or dizzy / light headed when you stand up you may be low on sodium.

    There are no carbohydrates you have to eat to stay alive, so being under that is OK too. You can choose "custom goals" at set the levels to suit yourself.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I would suggest if you are suing MFP defaults to use the fat and protein as minimums and carbs and sodium as maximums
  • samammay
    samammay Posts: 468
    Protein and fat are minimum goals, so make sure you hit those. Carbs fill the rest. You can go under those with no problems.

    Sodium... really depends on your personal tastes. Low sodium diets are very common, especially in heart patients. As long as your blood pressure is ok, I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.
  • markiend
    markiend Posts: 461 Member
    you might need to check whether the foods you are entering have the correct data, always worth checking
  • bago08
    bago08 Posts: 360 Member
    Sodium is an eye opener. I just started and Im under on cals everyday but I cant get under on sodium. this will take some research
  • LarryLaird
    LarryLaird Posts: 94 Member
    sodium is a tough one for me to meet but it is important to your health. all 2500 is not needed but you do need some. I don't know exactly how much. It is probaly differant for everyone. Carbs are fuel...how much fuel do you need??
  • darkangel45422
    darkangel45422 Posts: 234 Member
    Dietary carbs are entirely unnecessary for your body since your body can produce enough carbs for its own function (very little in the human body actually requires carbohydrates to function; I believe only the brain). So with that in mind, I personally wouldn't worry about being under what MFP says your carb goal is unless you're finding yourself suffering as a result (some people who are especially active, for example, find they do better with more carbs). I suggest experimenting to see what works for you in terms of how many carbs to take in.

    Sodium on the other hand is something your body does actually need; I don't know how much but you should be able to research the subject and see how much the body needs for optimal health. I'd then shoot for being close to that goal.
  • Srsmith1955
    Srsmith1955 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks for all the responses! I will look into that. Sodium level and not worry about carbs unless feeling unwell.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    The only genuine factor to consider when going low-carb is the amount of water weight you'll recover when you decide to reintroduce a greater amount of carbs. This usually freaks people out when they have a high-carb day, after doing low-carb, and notice the scale shoots up 5 lbs the next day despite their caloric intake remaining the same. In the end, your calorie goal takes precedent over your macro goals. With that said, protein and fats should be kept at optimal amounts, though.

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