Sodium

sunsetovernc
sunsetovernc Posts: 7 Member
edited December 1 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi. I'm new to this (okay...not new but I've newly restarted? lol) and my sodium intake is crazy. MFP has the goal set at 2300 mg and I've consumed almost 1000 mg over that just today. I drink a gallon of water a day so am I offsetting some of the sodium? I eat a lot of processed foods, so that's why the sodium is high to begin with. I know where the problem is. :)

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Were you told by a doctor to watch your sodium intake?
  • lauraesh0384
    lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
    It's hard to say, but I would guess that much over you'll probably retain water. I keep my sodium under 2300mg and I have no issue with water retention except during TOM. I just try to find alternatives for foods I love that are lower in sodium.
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    Unless you have a health issue, high sodium won't do much aside from water retention.

    Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought I read somewhere that they were thinking of upping the sodium levels anyways about 6 months ago. Not sure what arose from that. But long story short, don't fret about it too much if it's only ~1000 over. But yes, water will assist with some of the water retention that may occur.
  • jamacianredhair
    jamacianredhair Posts: 230 Member
    I keep my sodium as low as possible because I don't like the way my body feels if consume too much.

    Water does help with the swelling I get. Everyone's body reacts differently my suggestion is to experiment and see what works for you.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    Unless you have a medical reason for restricting your sodium, I wouldn't be too concerned about going over the recommend daily amount. I've bee maintaining my weight successfully for 5 years and never even gave my sodium intake a thought. If I went over one day due to eatting out or something, it will be off my scale in 3-4 days anyway.
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    edited May 2016
    I wouldn't worry about it, unless, as was said, if you have a reason to care about it.

    Keeping sodium down helps a certain set of people. People with various kidney disorders may need to control sodium, and 1 out of 3 people with high blood pressure will show improvements on a lower sodium / higher potassium diet.

    If neither are true for you, there's no real harm - as long as your blood pressure's good and kidneys are doing their thing, excess sodium isn't a problem. In fact, if you exercise a lot and cut back on sodium, you may be at a risk of health problems from insufficient sodium. And if your blood sodium values actually get way too low, it's a life-threatening medical emergency.
  • sunsetovernc
    sunsetovernc Posts: 7 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    Were you told by a doctor to watch your sodium intake?

    No. My blood pressure is excellent but I just worry about water weight gain.
  • sunsetovernc
    sunsetovernc Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks all. I appreciate it! :)
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    sunsetovernc wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    Were you told by a doctor to watch your sodium intake?

    No. My blood pressure is excellent but I just worry about water weight gain.

    Easy come, easy go :smiley: Yes, it stinks when the scale jumps up, but it doesn't last long, and you know what it is and why it happened.
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