Sodium question - too little?!

Jessabelle12
Jessabelle12 Posts: 145
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I only started looking at my sodium intake a few days ago when I included it in my diary options and looking back over the past two weeks I've been significantly under my 2500g a day recommendation. I rarely make it over 1,000 but am eating my calories/carbs/protien.

Is that bad for me? I'm a vegetarian, I don't put salt in any of my home made food or on any food but it's in some of what I eat. Most days I tend to eat about 700/800.

Or is the 2500 just saying the MAX i should be eating not how much I should each day?

Replies

  • pjrisher
    pjrisher Posts: 152
    I just figured this one out for myself, too. 2,500 mg is the max. Your body only needs 500 mg of sodium a day and although you record everything, sodium is often hidden in things- such as tap water, so you probably get enough.
  • ashleynicole8912
    ashleynicole8912 Posts: 15
    I don't think that is too little, 2500 is the max. Good for you though! I am always over on my sodium. I've heard that its good to keep it around 1000 or lower.
  • Jessabelle12
    Jessabelle12 Posts: 145
    Thanks guys! :)
  • JujiBean
    JujiBean Posts: 187
    I infer by your name that you are into low carb. One of the side effects of low carbing is a lowering of blood pressure. As a low carber, my blood pressure consistently decreased to the point where my doctor advised me to add more salt to my diet. When I did, my blood pressure returned to a normal (though still very low) range.
    Low blood pressure can result in fainting, or feeling dizzy upon standing, etc. I'm obviously not an expert, but if you don't seem to be having any symptoms, I don't think I'd worry about it, but I would talk to the doctor next time you're there.
  • funfitfoodie
    funfitfoodie Posts: 630 Member
    If you're in the UK a lot of the food entries in the MFP db don't include sodium... so it might be misleading
  • katie_rn
    katie_rn Posts: 40
    Maybe this link will help:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/4734-need-recommended-daily-sodium-intake/

    It seems like a reliable source, about daily sodium intake, and how little your body needs for basic functioning is the key point, only about 500mg/day. So if you are getting at least that I wouldn't worry about it. It mentions vegetarian healthy options for salt intake in the last part. I find that I am typically under on my sodium also. I'm not vegetarian, but I don't eat a lot of meat (maybe only with 1 meal/day) or processed foods either so that helps. Good luck!
  • Aileen46
    Aileen46 Posts: 176 Member
    I found these numbers doing a search on the net:

    1,000 mg for children age one to three.
    1,200 mg for children age four to eight.
    1,500 mg for people age nine to 50.
    1,300 mg for adults age 51 to 70.
    1,200 mg for seniors over 70.
    Consuming more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day increases your risk of health problems.
  • alifer
    alifer Posts: 387 Member
    Only way to know for sure is if you have bloodwork done. I didn't know that mine was too low. (I never add salt to food and buy low sodium everything) Last month I had some bloodwork done and she told me that my sodium was low. She said I should be careful to eat more salty snacks put salt on my foods. She told me it wasn't very low, but enough that she would have concern as it gets hotter and I am exercising regularly that I would lose too much. Then she told me that I would feel very tired and sluggish if I needed more.
  • Aileen46
    Aileen46 Posts: 176 Member
    I infer by your name that you are into low carb. One of the side effects of low carbing is a lowering of blood pressure. As a low carber, my blood pressure consistently decreased to the point where my doctor advised me to add more salt to my diet. When I did, my blood pressure returned to a normal (though still very low) range.
    Low blood pressure can result in fainting, or feeling dizzy upon standing, etc. I'm obviously not an expert, but if you don't seem to be having any symptoms, I don't think I'd worry about it, but I would talk to the doctor next time you're there.

    Dizzy and fainting wasn't something that I related to too little sodium. I've been feeling light headed and a bit dizzy for a few days now and have been keeping my sodium quite low. I thought it might be too little iron but that has been at a good level. Finally, I have an answer to the dizziness! Thanks!!
  • JujiBean
    JujiBean Posts: 187
    Dizzy and fainting wasn't something that I related to too little sodium. I've been feeling light headed and a bit dizzy for a few days now and have been keeping my sodium quite low. I thought it might be too little iron but that has been at a good level. Finally, I have an answer to the dizziness! Thanks!!

    You're welcome. I like Morton's Lite Salt in the blue cannister. I add it to everything.
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