Sodium

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XBabigrl72
XBabigrl72 Posts: 88
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
This a question mostly for people who watch the amount of sodium they take in but anyone can answer. It all helps.

My question is how do you watch how much you're taking in if not all the foods in the data base have it listed. Is it okay if I just let it go as free-bee. I mean as long as I'm watching and trying to log my sodium intake it should be less than what I usually take in because I'll be more aware of it.

Replies

  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    I've been watching my sodium very close only the last couple of days, but I have yet to run into this problem. The database has multiple entries for food. I would suggest deleting the one that doesn't include the sodium and looking for one that does.
  • bjohs
    bjohs Posts: 1,225 Member
    Sodium and calories are the only things I watch like a hawk. Too much sodium bloats me up like a pufferfish and makes my stomach hurt. If you can't find something in the database, try to look for the nutrient facts on the Internet by doing a Google search. Or select a similar food in the database that has complete nutrient facts. I would not add the one listed with 0 mg because someone probably added it to the database with incomplete information.
  • spgabby86
    spgabby86 Posts: 323 Member
    I've been watching my sodium very close only the last couple of days, but I have yet to run into this problem. The database has multiple entries for food. I would suggest deleting the one that doesn't include the sodium and looking for one that does.

    I so agree, I have been working to get off my blood pressure meds....have been taking off 1 of the 2 only taking the water pill now, so I really watch the sodium and it causes you to retain water, which would impact the scale assuming you are concerned about what the scale says!
  • MelissaL582
    MelissaL582 Posts: 1,422 Member
    I double check every label that I can. There will be times when I'll take the item to my desk to make sure the nutrition facts match what the database says. There a lot of items on there that are incorrect. Hopefully one day those items will be deleted if they don't have a lot of confirmations. I never used to be so anal about watching sodium until I had ask one of my friends on here. Once I started the weight came off sooner. Sodium is in everything, so when you see something on the database with 0, double check. I also look up items on the websites when it come to restaurants.
  • dodd319
    dodd319 Posts: 228 Member
    I watch sodium all the time too. If it's not listed, I'll add the food to it with all the nutritional info and keep it for later. Or, as mentioned, find something with similar numbers and use it.
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    i correct the database. or find a different listing that does include it, or i add a new listing for the item that does include it.

    (i keep mine under 1500mg most days so it's important to me too *S*)
  • XBabigrl72
    XBabigrl72 Posts: 88
    "Too much sodium bloats me up like a pufferfish and makes my stomach hurt."

    I have the same problem I also get it with foods that are gassy. Which is why I'm starting to watch my sodium intake.
  • XBabigrl72
    XBabigrl72 Posts: 88
    Thank you everyone, really helpful. Hopefully tracking my sodium works for me.
  • lovejoydavid
    lovejoydavid Posts: 395 Member
    Not to butt in with unasked for advice, but current thinking is that you can also blunt the effects of sodium somewhat with an increase in the intake of food form potassium. The diets used by our clinics to help people with hypertension call for around 4700mg of potassium per day (not easy, but something to shoot for). That, combined with sodium restriction, has been shown to literally crush high blood pressure, usually within weeks.
  • kendf60
    kendf60 Posts: 234 Member
    The American Heart Association has a good section on their web site about reducing sodium. Check it out.
    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/search/searchResults.jsp?q=Sodium#mainContent
  • bjohs
    bjohs Posts: 1,225 Member
    Not to butt in with unasked for advice, but current thinking is that you can also blunt the effects of sodium somewhat with an increase in the intake of food form potassium. The diets used by our clinics to help people with hypertension call for around 4700mg of potassium per day (not easy, but something to shoot for). That, combined with sodium restriction, has been shown to literally crush high blood pressure, usually within weeks.

    True. Anytime I get too much sodium (maybe a night out at a restaurant), I will eat a couple bananas the next day and drink at least 10 cups of water minimum. I am usually able to get rid of the bloat and added water weight pounds within 1-2 days.
  • lovejoydavid
    lovejoydavid Posts: 395 Member
    Not to butt in with unasked for advice, but current thinking is that you can also blunt the effects of sodium somewhat with an increase in the intake of food form potassium. The diets used by our clinics to help people with hypertension call for around 4700mg of potassium per day (not easy, but something to shoot for). That, combined with sodium restriction, has been shown to literally crush high blood pressure, usually within weeks.

    True. Anytime I get too much sodium (maybe a night out at a restaurant), I will eat a couple bananas the next day and drink at least 10 cups of water minimum. I am usually able to get rid of the bloat and added water weight pounds within 1-2 days.

    Very cool! I use (mostly) muskmelon, papaya, sweet potato, avocado, and fat free milk for my sources.
  • XBabigrl72
    XBabigrl72 Posts: 88
    I'm not really doing this to lower my blood pressure or anything. I want to stop retaining water, bloating, and lose weight. Thank God my blood pressure is good considering all my family has high blood pressure.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Not to butt in with unasked for advice, but current thinking is that you can also blunt the effects of sodium somewhat with an increase in the intake of food form potassium. The diets used by our clinics to help people with hypertension call for around 4700mg of potassium per day (not easy, but something to shoot for). That, combined with sodium restriction, has been shown to literally crush high blood pressure, usually within weeks.

    Thanks for posting this. I started to watch my sodium last week due to edema. After reading your post, I did a little digging and it turns out that I have been severely potassium defecient. I have now made adjustments again. Though, I have no idea how I would get 4700 mcg of potassium since I only managed 1800 mcg today, but I will definitely work toward increasing my potassium. Thanks again.
  • lovejoydavid
    lovejoydavid Posts: 395 Member
    I'm not really doing this to lower my blood pressure or anything. I want to stop retaining water, bloating, and lose weight. Thank God my blood pressure is good considering all my family has high blood pressure.

    I don't either, but it also mitigates a number of cardiac risk factors, and I have several just from family history (you clearly do as well). Better now, while my endothelium is healthy, than trying to reverse cardiac remodeling after damage is done.
  • lovejoydavid
    lovejoydavid Posts: 395 Member
    Not to butt in with unasked for advice, but current thinking is that you can also blunt the effects of sodium somewhat with an increase in the intake of food form potassium. The diets used by our clinics to help people with hypertension call for around 4700mg of potassium per day (not easy, but something to shoot for). That, combined with sodium restriction, has been shown to literally crush high blood pressure, usually within weeks.

    Thanks for posting this. I started to watch my sodium last week due to edema. After reading your post, I did a little digging and it turns out that I have been severely potassium defecient. I have now made adjustments again. Though, I have no idea how I would get 4700 mcg of potassium since I only managed 1800 mcg today, but I will definitely work toward increasing my potassium. Thanks again.

    Hey, it is free info, and easy to get!
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