Sodium

American Heart Association says less than 1500 mg a day.

I've also read less than 2,300-2,500 a day.

I have mine on here for less than 2,500 and I'm usually way under. I'd listen to the AHA and stick with less than 1500. Once you start eating more "clean" food and less processed and fast food, you will see that you won't have a lot and it will get easier.

Good Luck! :flowerforyou:

American Heart Association says less than 1500 mg a day.

I've also read less than 2,300-2,500 a day.

I have mine on here for less than 2,500 and I'm usually way under. I'd listen to the AHA and stick with less than 1500. Once you start eating more "clean" food and less processed and fast food, you will see that you won't have a lot and it will get easier.

Good Luck! :flowerforyou:

It can still be hard though, especially when you eat your exercise calories. Most days I eat about 80% unprocessed foods and don't add salt and I still come close to the 2500mg mark.

American Heart Association says less than 1500 mg a day.

I've also read less than 2,300-2,500 a day.

I have mine on here for less than 2,500 and I'm usually way under. I'd listen to the AHA and stick with less than 1500. Once you start eating more "clean" food and less processed and fast food, you will see that you won't have a lot and it will get easier.

Good Luck! :flowerforyou:

There is the 80/20 rule, you are probably getting 80% of your sodium from that 20% of your food. Maybe try going for 85-90% unprocessed and you should be able to hit your mark.

It can still be hard though, especially when you eat your exercise calories. Most days I eat about 80% unprocessed foods and don't add salt and I still come close to the 2500mg mark.

I have a hard time with this one, so I turned to my hubby (graduates from med school soon, so I though tI would use it to my advantage for a change).

The average Amercan eats about 5 grams of sodium per day! (5,000 mg, which is twice the daily allotment on MFP.) Yes, high blood pressure is a risk associated, among others. Imagine being a renal patient and only allowing 400mg MAX per day. Seems nearly impossible right?

He also told me that about 80% of sodium comes from 20% of our food. But, water can slightly counteract some sodium because your body will flush a small amount IF you drink enough water. (I now drink more than 64oz if I have more sodium that day, but make sure I get 64oz when I am under my sodium).

What to do with all that info. Well... I looked at my food diary for the past few weeks. Yep.. I have about 1,000mg left for dinner and BAM... my dinner was where I found most of my sodium. Especially if you eat out at any point. I don't salt my food and I would still go over by 1000mg of sodium. So, now I know what foods are high in sodium. My biggest problem is that I am trying to eat something that is the low cal version and I am getting slammed with sodium. Hubs says it's to make it "taste" better, but I don't even think it tastes bad. Good news.. we cook out some of the sodium. And, on that kick butt workout we lose that sodium too. So, think of that when you hit your sodium and turn up the workout a notch. The hubs also says that as long as you are under 3000mg per day and do not have any renal issues or blood pressure issues, you are probably okay. He says the AHA is doing this in order to try and get food manufacturers to reduce the amount they put into the foods we eat on a daily basis. Especially soups that we chose to be healthy, like soups, veggies, etc.

Moral of the story.. I guess we all battle it. There are lots of people on here who have conquered the sodium battle and can probably give great suggestions of food you would enjoy that fit into the sodium category. Check your food diary and see if the same is true. Then earmark those foods and see if you can still find a low cal/low sodium option. That's my plan on my next visit the grocery store on Sunday. Good luck!!!