Logging Table Salt

GWehsling
GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So I made my breakfast this morning and added about half a teaspoon of tablesalt to the entire meal as seasoning rather than a requirement and noticed that my sodium count for the day went way over the little red line.

I have read and believe what I see about the differences of logging condiments, is table salt to be logged? Is it that bad?

Diary is currently open.

Thanks for your honest opinions and support.

Replies

  • EzRemake
    EzRemake Posts: 128 Member
    I like logging salt, only because routinely going under your salt intake is not good for you.
  • noel2fit
    noel2fit Posts: 235 Member
    I was wondering the same thing! I added 3 shakes from a salt shaker to my eggs... No idea how to measure that. I just didn't because it's not calories, but then again my diary is not outrageously accurate either :\
  • GWehsling
    GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
    noel2fit wrote: »
    I was wondering the same thing! I added 3 shakes from a salt shaker to my eggs... No idea how to measure that. I just didn't because it's not calories, but then again my diary is not outrageously accurate either :\

    I estimates half a teaspoon from a grinder and got a count of 1200 - is that mols, percent, mgs?

    How is this measured and what does it mean?
  • DaddieCat
    DaddieCat Posts: 3,643 Member
    Do you have any reason to track your sodium intake? Has your doctor suggested it? High blood pressure or anything like that? If not, don't worry about it and drink lots of water. Many people suggest removing extra categories from your tracker. I only show Protein, Fats, Carbs, and Fiber myself as that's all i care to track.

    If you do any kind of activity that makes you sweat, then you lose sodium. Drinking water will flush sodium to an extent, but also, you need sodium to live. The value on MFp is also notoriously low as a starting point.

    Just some thoughts.
  • SimoneBee12
    SimoneBee12 Posts: 268 Member
    edited June 2015
    Half a teaspoon is quite a lot, did you measure it out with a measuring spoon? It would be about a NZ 10 cent piece size of salt.

    Also, did you really eat 8 whole oranges on Tuesday?!

    EDIT: It's 1200mg of sodium, by the way.
  • DaddieCat
    DaddieCat Posts: 3,643 Member
    Also don't use measuring spoons for solids. Solids should be logged by weight if at all possible. Odds are your half teaspoon was far less than that due to irregularities in the grind, etc. as it lay in the spoon.
  • GWehsling
    GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
    BecomingBane wrote: »
    Do you have any reason to track your sodium intake? Has your doctor suggested it? High blood pressure or anything like that? If not, don't worry about it and drink lots of water. Many people suggest removing extra categories from your tracker. I only show Protein, Fats, Carbs, and Fiber myself as that's all i care to track.

    If you do any kind of activity that makes you sweat, then you lose sodium. Drinking water will flush sodium to an extent, but also, you need sodium to live. The value on MFp is also notoriously low as a starting point.

    Just some thoughts.

    Thanks for these notes. I have no sodium concerns at present, but was only suddenly alarmed by the high count.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    I measure my salt on the average, about 1/4 teasp. for the whole day of any added salt. Sometimes its less. But I still log it so I won't go over sodium. I use low-sodium salt to still get the mineral nutrients that my body needs.
  • GWehsling
    GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
    SimoneBee12 wrote: »
    Half a teaspoon is quite a lot, did you measure it out with a measuring spoon? It would be about a NZ 10 cent piece size of salt.

    Also, did you really eat 8 whole oranges on Tuesday?!

    EDIT: It's 1200mg of sodium, by the way.

    No, I guessed by the amount I could see. You're right, it probably looks like more because it is spread out. I'll try be more aware of measuring by weight as another poster made comment - in a spoon, it will contain a lot of 'spaces'.

    Yes, I am a citrus fruit fiend and my citrus trees are hanging on the ground with excessive fruit, so I eat a lot of oranges, lemons, grapefruits and mandarins - anything I can get. I am currently being reminded by my body that this is too much to eat so I am off citrus for a few days... ....if I can control myself :-)

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Half a teaspoon? On one plate? Are you sure you didn't miscalculate that? That's a LOT of salt.

    I do log it because watching my sodium is important to me, but I grab it from the salt pig and guess. I spent a lot of time measuring salt and am pretty good with guessing by just picking some up with my fingers. I can't remember the last time I measured salt. I use very little when cooking and if I want seasoning, I use spices.

    I suspect that you used closer to 1/8 of a tsp than 1/2. Most people - even those who love salt - couldn't eat food covered in 1/2 a tsp. :)

    Start measuring it. With enough experience, your guesses will get better. :)
  • GWehsling
    GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Half a teaspoon? On one plate? Are you sure you didn't miscalculate that? That's a LOT of salt.

    Yeah I'm getting that vibe now, I'll measure it again. Thanks

  • GWehsling
    GWehsling Posts: 120 Member
    So, I got my digital scale today - unbelievable difference in portions. I'd stay and talk about it, but I need to go outside and kick myself for not getting one 6 months ago.

    To everybody who does not portion with a digital scale - just get one, there is nothing else to discuss about it.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    GWehsling wrote: »
    So, I got my digital scale today - unbelievable difference in portions. I'd stay and talk about it, but I need to go outside and kick myself for not getting one 6 months ago.

    To everybody who does not portion with a digital scale - just get one, there is nothing else to discuss about it.

    LOL at you having to kick yourself.

    You really do learn so much when you start weighing. Piece of advice: start watching your portions. Put the food down and take a guess on what it is before you look at the scale. Guessing and finding out how far off you were will help you get better at estimating the portions. One day, you'll be really good at it. :)
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    It's an eye opener and a game changer. ;)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    BecomingBane wrote: »
    Do you have any reason to track your sodium intake? Has your doctor suggested it? High blood pressure or anything like that? If not, don't worry about it and drink lots of water. Many people suggest removing extra categories from your tracker. I only show Protein, Fats, Carbs, and Fiber myself as that's all i care to track.

    If you do any kind of activity that makes you sweat, then you lose sodium. Drinking water will flush sodium to an extent, but also, you need sodium to live. The value on MFp is also notoriously low as a starting point.

    Just some thoughts.

    Ya, I swapped out sodium for iron, which is something I am interested in, being anemic. And then realized the iron content in what I ate wasn't anywhere near how much I get from my supplement, so currently have it on fiber, just for curiosity.

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