Can too much sodium ruin your diet?

violasmith85 · September 2014

I've never watched my sodium intake as I've never had high blood pressure. I'm sure before starting this I ate a lot more sodium than I do now, but even still i'm apparently eating over 1000 over my daily budget budget MFP suggested. I'm below my calorie budget but I've read about water retention, but even with that, with fat loss it should still trend downward right? Or am I wrong?

DeguelloTex · September 2014

Fat loss would be a downward trend. That might be masked by extra water, but that's not permanent.

I use a LOT of salt. I drink a lot of water. I lose a lot of weight.

violasmith85 · September 2014

Fat loss would be a downward trend. That might be masked by extra water, but that's not permanent.

I use a LOT of salt. I drink a lot of water. I lose a lot of weight.

Thank you for the answer. I'll increase my water intake then. Thanks!

257_Lag · September 2014

With no health concerns sodium levels aren't all that important. If you eat 3500 regularly it will have no effect on your weight. However, an abnormally high day will give you a temporary gain but it's not fat, it's water. I go low for BP averaging about 1700 a day so I would notice a big bump @ 3500 but that bump is more about being well over your average intake, not a set number.

AskTracyAnnK28 · September 2014

Well, you're eating a lot of salty/processed foods so it make make your progress a little slower since you'll be retaining water. Would you consider replacing the chips/peperoni/crackers with fresh fruit & veggies?

If not, drink plenty of water.

Need2Exerc1se · September 2014

Yes, sodium doesn't have much to do with fat loss. It can affect weight loss if it causes bloating, but that's water weight, not fat.

The reason for the recommendation to monitor sodium intake is health, not weight, related. How much is bad varies from person to person.

missiontofitness · September 2014

I personally don't track sodium. Like everyone else has said, if there's no concerns regarding your health, shouldn't be a problem!

Philp0718 · September 2014

Same as above, increased sodium levels will increase your body's tendency to retain water.

I don't worry too much about it (I have low blood pressure and my doc actually told me I could afford to consume MORE sodium - strange right?) just make sure you drink PLENTY of water to flush out the excess.

belgerian · September 2014

You may not have any health issues now but long term of high sodium diet can well you know Diabetic, High Blood Pressure blah blah blah.

GatorDeb1 · September 2014

No. It can make you retain more water which may cause you to go in weight but what goes in must come out. I've had IV bags twice and gained 7-15 lbs by the time I made it back home.

MissHolidayGolightly · September 2014

All I know is I had Chinese last night and now I've got sausage fingers.

DeguelloTex · September 2014

You may not have any health issues now but long term of high sodium diet can well you know Diabetic, High Blood Pressure blah blah blah.

I don't know. Do you have a cite that high sodium will do those things in people without health issues?

AskTracyAnnK28 · September 2014

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/The-Effects-of-Excess-Sodium-on-Your-Health-and-Appearance_UCM_454387_Article.jsp

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm315393.htm

ETA: I take it that once in a while it's fine, but on a daily basis it could be quite bad.

DeguelloTex · September 2014

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/The-Effects-of-Excess-Sodium-on-Your-Health-and-Appearance_UCM_454387_Article.jsp

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm315393.htm

ETA: I take it that once in a while it's fine, but on a daily basis it could be quite bad.

"May."

"It should be noted, however, that even though the study found no statistically significant association between blood pressure and sodium in the diet..."

http://time.com/3313332/salt-and-blood-pressure/

AskTracyAnnK28 · September 2014

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/The-Effects-of-Excess-Sodium-on-Your-Health-and-Appearance_UCM_454387_Article.jsp

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm315393.htm

ETA: I take it that once in a while it's fine, but on a daily basis it could be quite bad.

"May."

"It should be noted, however, that even though the study found no statistically significant association between blood pressure and sodium in the diet..."

http://time.com/3313332/salt-and-blood-pressure/

lol - I said it "could be" not "it will be"...everything in moderation, you know? But everyone has their preferences and knows what works for them.

DeguelloTex · September 2014

"no statistically significant association"

That's not a "can." That's a "doesn't."

AskTracyAnnK28 · September 2014

"no statistically significant association"

That's not a "can." That's a "doesn't."

Well I stand corrected then.

Carry on.

:ohwell:

violasmith85 · September 2014

You may not have any health issues now but long term of high sodium diet can well you know Diabetic, High Blood Pressure blah blah blah.

Well I'm a type 1 diabetic. So that ship has sailed, lol but that's the issue in itself. I'm on a low carb diet because of my diabetes so watching carbs and calories makes it difficult. Also, I do eat low cal veggies, I just don't count them (the rule is i can have as much of those as I want, which i've added them up before and they hardly matter calorie wise) I stay away from fruit because not only are they high carb, but they make my blood sugar go through the roof and make me physically ill. So since I don't have high blood pressure (and I am almost 30 which my doctor finds very strange for my weight lol) I won't worry about it at this point and focus on keeping my calories and carbs down and drink plenty of water.

Can too much sodium ruin your diet?

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