I need more sodium

tiagomcor
tiagomcor Posts: 1
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hello !

I've just found out that my sodium levels are too low for my objective, I want to gain weight.

Generally I consume around 1,136 and I need 2,500.

So, what is the best way to increase my sodium levels ?

Thanks.
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Replies

  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Sprinkle salt on your food. Drink regular V8 juice. Eat canned chilli con carne - tons of protein and sodium (and farts)!
  • mengmoua2010
    mengmoua2010 Posts: 11 Member
    Sodium makes you gain water weight. Water weight isn't that awesome to have on your body lol. Your sodium intake is fine as it is now, just make sure you eat at a surplus and you should be gaining weight.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Salt your food?

    Beef jerky and pretzels for dinner.
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    Sodium isn't your issue. Eating more calories should be your focus. Sodium makes you retain water and that's not "real weight"
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Bacon :)

    Seriously though I wouldn't worry about a low on sodium unless your having symptoms like dizziness? - a lot of the entries are made by users of the site and if they've been in a hurry, they may not have entered a value for sodium.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    No one should be telling the OP not to increase sodium. For all you guys know, her doctor could have told her this?

    Pre-packaged meals are high in sodium. I really like Amy's frozen burritos. They even make gluten and dairy free ones, and they're delicious.
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    You could start adding higher sodium foods to your routine. Celery, eggs, chicken, carrots, spinach, milk, cheeses like Cheddar, cantaloupe melon, shrimp & artichokes are foods with naturally higher levels of sodium.
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    Seafood is loaded with protein and sodium. Shrimp, crab, tuna, oysters. etc. Yay for your getting it straight!
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    Here, you can have some of mine.
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    You don't need 2500. That is supposed to be your max.
  • starlaca
    starlaca Posts: 779 Member
    Buy a few salt rocks. Keep one in your car, one at work and one next to your bed. Lick away all day.
  • vienna_h
    vienna_h Posts: 428 Member
    I munch on pickles, chips, and other salty snacks when my sodium is less than 500, and if it's reeally low I'll have a frozen dinner or canned soup for lunch.

    however, i don't understand why you need more sodium to gain weight?
  • janupshaw
    janupshaw Posts: 205 Member
    Hot dogs & ramen noodles.
  • Thyiela
    Thyiela Posts: 5
    Unless you want a heart attack you don't need more sodium
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    If you need to add sodium, I'd try to get it from a good quality sea salt instead of normal table salt or adding processed foods high in sodium.

    Having enough salt is important - I add plenty of salt to my food as I drink a lot of water and don't eat much processed food...
  • KingRat79
    KingRat79 Posts: 125 Member
    I’m curious who told you to add additional sodium to your diet?

    Yes you need some sodium in your diet, but to much isn’t good for you and can cause cardiovascular disease. Most people will get plenty of sodium through their day to day diet and trying to supplement it really isn’t necessary. Unless your doctor or a dietician has advised you to add salt to your diet wouldn’t be adding extra.
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    Here, you can have some of mine.

    Mine too.
  • meganjcallaghan
    meganjcallaghan Posts: 949 Member
    A person only needs 200 mg of sodium a day to keep enough in their system....the 2300mg daily amount listed on here is the generous maximum a person should have, though most people are getting upwards of 3500 or more a day if they're not careful. Like so many other people have mentioned, the only weight you'll gain with sodium is retained water, and that's not real weight. You also increase your chance of high blood pressure and/or heart disease. Not really worth it for a little bit of water weight.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I also have to increase mine. I just add some iodized salt to a meal or 2 each day.
  • gigglesinthesun
    gigglesinthesun Posts: 860 Member
    A person only needs 200 mg of sodium a day to keep enough in their system....the 2300mg daily amount listed on here is the generous maximum a person should have, though most people are getting upwards of 3500 or more a day if they're not careful. Like so many other people have mentioned, the only weight you'll gain with sodium is retained water, and that's not real weight. You also increase your chance of high blood pressure and/or heart disease. Not really worth it for a little bit of water weight.

    actually that number is 500mg to keep your organs functioning properly. Also some people have low blood pressure and thus need to have certain amount of sodium daily and that amount can vary between people. Furthermore it depends on where the person lives in a hot climate.
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    In for all the wanna be doctors:)
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    eat more fast food haha
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    In for all the wanna be doctors:)

    sup
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    A person only needs 200 mg of sodium a day to keep enough in their system....the 2300mg daily amount listed on here is the generous maximum a person should have, though most people are getting upwards of 3500 or more a day if they're not careful. Like so many other people have mentioned, the only weight you'll gain with sodium is retained water, and that's not real weight. You also increase your chance of high blood pressure and/or heart disease. Not really worth it for a little bit of water weight.

    omg if you could hear how loud im facepalming right now - thank you for keeping nephrologists in business <3
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Hello !

    I've just found out that my sodium levels are too low for my objective, I want to gain weight.

    Generally I consume around 1,136 and I need 2,500.

    So, what is the best way to increase my sodium levels ?

    Thanks.

    Were you advised by a medical professional to increase your sodium intake? If that is the case,then do find ways to increase your intake. If not, don't increase it just because your MFP log is telling you your max is 2500. Most people get enough sodium in their food to meet daily needs without adding any. If weight gain is your objective, add calories, eat more protein and do muscle building weight lifiting.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Hello !

    I've just found out that my sodium levels are too low for my objective, I want to gain weight.

    Generally I consume around 1,136 and I need 2,500.

    So, what is the best way to increase my sodium levels ?

    Thanks.

    My advice...do some research based on scientific studies before you set a sodium level for yourself.

    I am trying to cut mine due to health issues...I am finding it difficult. Even though I have stopped using the salt shaker. There is sodium in almost every thing you eat...even some fruits and veggies.

    Research....research...research...before you make a decision on how much sodium your body needs. It will vary from person to person but you will find recommend doses for people without health issues.
  • ILoveGingerNut
    ILoveGingerNut Posts: 367 Member
    That is not what you need, its the max amount to avoid increasing your risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
    Have a blood test. I doubt your sodium is too low or you'd feel pretty sick.
  • ILoveGingerNut
    ILoveGingerNut Posts: 367 Member
    No one should be telling the OP not to increase sodium. For all you guys know, her doctor could have told her this?

    Pre-packaged meals are high in sodium. I really like Amy's frozen burritos. They even make gluten and dairy free ones, and they're delicious.


    jeez... her doctor would have told her what to do about it.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I love the people saying "you don't need more sodium."

    Diets with sodium under 1500 a day are associated with a higher risk of death than others. Super low-sodium diets, those under 1500 mg, are a compromise solution to balance the effects of high blood pressure against other factors. These diets are only appropriate for people who already have a medical condition.

    Most people should get more than 1500 mg a day, especially if you're active and losing sodium through sweat.
  • montreal_wanderers
    montreal_wanderers Posts: 14
    I also agree with what a lot of others said. Sodium is not necessarily "needed" at 2,300 mg per day. That is the maximum amount for anyone to eat per day. If you can stay under this value, I would say you should continue to do so. 9 in 10 people eat more than 2,300 mg per day. Keep that in mind.

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