sodium question

nutty192
nutty192 Posts: 50 Member
edited November 10 in Food and Nutrition
I have been with Mfp for about 2 months, losing a good lb each week. When I started I just looked at the calories, but now I have started to take notice of all the other nutrients, and I have noticed that I NEVER reach the sodium level recommended. As I thought we were supposed to be reducing sodium in our diets, is this level set rather high, or should I try to increase my level? Confused, Nutty

Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Unless you're at crucially low levels of sodium, I wouldn't worry about it
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,092 Member
    The MFP default number is a maximum, not a minimum. It's not recommending that you get that much; it's saying don't get any more than this). For certain at-risk groups, the maximum recommended is actually only 1500 mg/day.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited January 2015
    Yes, a maximum, no reason to worry about being low unless you have symptoms suggesting some issue. Also, any salt used in cooking will add up fast, so make sure you log that too if you care about sodium. (I don't care about sodium, cook most meals at home, and learned to cook where I toss in some salt during the process and never measure it, so I know my sodium is undercounted.)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    The only other thing I'd add is related to cramping. If you tend to cramp during workouts, increasing sodium might be worth considering.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    The MFP default number is a maximum, not a minimum. It's not recommending that you get that much; it's saying don't get any more than this). For certain at-risk groups, the maximum recommended is actually only 1500 mg/day.

    Just as an FYI - for some groups the maximum is much higher. I've read recommended intakes of 4000mg+ for endurance athletes.
  • martyqueen52
    martyqueen52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Dude I don't even track sodium. When I do check sometimes I'm 1000 under, and sometimes I'm 3000 over.
  • nutty192
    nutty192 Posts: 50 Member
    Thanks everyone. Nutty
  • KateM1966
    KateM1966 Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks for asking the question Nutty; found an answer now!
  • roxielu0422
    roxielu0422 Posts: 102 Member
    it's nothing to worry about UNLESS you are going over it everday.
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    nutty192 wrote: »
    I have been with Mfp for about 2 months, losing a good lb each week. When I started I just looked at the calories, but now I have started to take notice of all the other nutrients, and I have noticed that I NEVER reach the sodium level recommended. As I thought we were supposed to be reducing sodium in our diets, is this level set rather high, or should I try to increase my level? Confused, Nutty

    I wouldn't worry too much about not reaching it. As long as your lab work from your doctor comes back within normal limits, just keep doing what your doing :)
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