Sodium vs. Calories

Options
capricesmithss
capricesmithss Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I just started seeing a specialists to help me with my weight loss yesterday. I had been using my fitbit to track my foods daily. She told me that using this tool would probably give me a little more insight. I have used it before, but stopped when I stopped my weight loss journey. So I came home yesterday and re did my profile and goals etc. My question is does anyone know if it is more important to consume the amount of calories I need daily vs not going over on my sodium intake? Like I said I just started yesterday. Eventually I will get a better hold on my sodium. Yesterday evening I didn't want to eat anymore because I had already exceeded my sodium limit for the day, but still had about 1100 calories to consume. One thing we spoke of was how I needed x amount of calories so that my body wouldn't go into "starvation mode" and harbor everything I eat instead of burning it. She had agreed that most of my choices were really great. Just needed a little tweaking and consume those calories. I am 5'10 1/2 and weigh 238. My fitness says I need to consume at least 2,040 calories a day in order to achieve my goal (2 lbs per week.) I thought that was a bit much considering that a lot of healthy foods are lower in calories. My main concern now is my sodium. Can anyone else give a little insight on this matter? Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    Options
    Your doctor would've given advice based on your medical condition. If weight loss is the issue, the MFP concept of Calories In vs Calories Out, and Calorie Deficit, is what you need. On the other hand, if your doctor was concerned about your Blood Pressure, you'd want to monitor Sodium. Diabetic persons need to be cautious about Carbohydrates and Sugar. So there's no "one size fits all" formula. Base it on the discussions you had with your doctor.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
    Options
    Calories first, sodium second imo. I have HBP, but I still keep my calorie goal as the main thing I watch. I've had 4 years of learning and food swapping to balance calories and sodium. Honestly, if you don't have a medical issue concerning sodium, I wouldn't worry about it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,868 Member
    edited January 2017
    Options
    Sodium has nothing to do with fat/weight management...it's an electrolyte. Excess sodium will result in water retention...but that has nothing to do with losing fat.
  • capricesmithss
    capricesmithss Posts: 2 Member
    Options
    O.k. Everyone....Thank you!
    I'm not sure if most misunderstood me or maybe I didn't word it correctly. I do not have HBP and my Dr. isn't concerned. My post was more based on this my fitness tool. When I put in my height and weight and weight goal as I am sure you all have. It gave me x amount of calories, sodium, fat, protein, sugar etc. to consume daily to reach my goal. So I was just trying to see with the given # if I should worry that I keep going over my sodium intake. I am not eating packaged foods. But I get it, other than being overweight I am good. Thanks everyone again for your comments!
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    edited January 2017
    Options
    capricesmithss wrote: »
    O.k. Everyone....Thank you!
    I'm not sure if most misunderstood me or maybe I didn't word it correctly. I do not have HBP and my Dr. isn't concerned. My post was more based on this my fitness tool. When I put in my height and weight and weight goal as I am sure you all have. It gave me x amount of calories, sodium, fat, protein, sugar etc. to consume daily to reach my goal. So I was just trying to see with the given # if I should worry that I keep going over my sodium intake. I am not eating packaged foods. But I get it, other than being overweight I am good. Thanks everyone again for your comments!

    That's what they were answering. If you don't have hbp and aren't going over by an insane amount on a daily basis, don't underfeed yourself for sodium's sake. Focus on calories. The rest is secondary.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    Options
    too much sodium makes me feel bloated and really thirsty for days, so I avoid eating too much of it. If you don't have a pre-existing condition where excess sodium is a risk factor and you don't feel like crap, then you probably don't have to worry about it.
  • illyasHodrick
    illyasHodrick Posts: 33 Member
    Options
    You absolutely need to get your sodium under control for optimum health.

    I think your sodium problem is a symptom of a larger problem. I can bet many of the foods you're, eating are packaged and processed right? I checked mine for a day and it wasnt even over 500 . I can share that if you're interested.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,145 Member
    Options
    capricesmithss wrote: »
    O.k. Everyone....Thank you!
    I'm not sure if most misunderstood me or maybe I didn't word it correctly. I do not have HBP and my Dr. isn't concerned. My post was more based on this my fitness tool. When I put in my height and weight and weight goal as I am sure you all have. It gave me x amount of calories, sodium, fat, protein, sugar etc. to consume daily to reach my goal. So I was just trying to see with the given # if I should worry that I keep going over my sodium intake. I am not eating packaged foods. But I get it, other than being overweight I am good. Thanks everyone again for your comments!

    Weight loss is all about the calories.

    The other stuff is interesting if you are aiming for a particular goal in addition to or other than weight loss.

    I actually find it very hard to consume enough sodium so I have to go out of my way to get some extra now and then.

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,182 Member
    edited January 2017
    Options
    The cure for water retention is more water.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Options
    capricesmithss wrote: »
    O.k. Everyone....Thank you!
    I'm not sure if most misunderstood me or maybe I didn't word it correctly. I do not have HBP and my Dr. isn't concerned. My post was more based on this my fitness tool. When I put in my height and weight and weight goal as I am sure you all have. It gave me x amount of calories, sodium, fat, protein, sugar etc. to consume daily to reach my goal. So I was just trying to see with the given # if I should worry that I keep going over my sodium intake. I am not eating packaged foods. But I get it, other than being overweight I am good. Thanks everyone again for your comments!

    I'd personally care more about Fibre intake than sodium - you can change your settings to show different things, depending on what you want to track.

Categories