Sodium Question

IrishHarpy1
IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member
edited October 2 in Food and Nutrition
... and yes, I've searched the forums :)

Has anyone ever explained why, when your exercise calories/stats are entered into your diary, the sodium goal doesn't change? You lose susbtantial sodium through the course of an intense workout by sweating -- in fact, a few hobby sites (I've seen several cycling ones) actually recommend INCREASING your sodium intake when training.

Anyone have any insights?

Replies

  • camy_chick
    camy_chick Posts: 277 Member
    i'm curious as well....bump
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Good Point, thanks for noticing.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    I don't track sodium so I never noticed. Would be a good suggestion for the creators.
  • teelt13
    teelt13 Posts: 100 Member
    Bump..that is a great question. Hopefully someone knows the answer :-)
  • emilydmac
    emilydmac Posts: 382 Member
    your sodium needs do not change depending on how much exercise you do- yes you sweat, but no one sweats out enough sodium to actually have a problem, and we eat SO MUCH sodium that we really dont need any more of it. no one needs more than 2500 mg/day. In fact, most of us require less than 1500mg/day no matter how much we work out
  • StixFight
    StixFight Posts: 16 Member
    Good catch...very interested!
  • megamoo04
    megamoo04 Posts: 269
    wow that is something i never noticed and i track my sodium, when i joined this site i notice that i had a problem wtih my sodium.

    is it also true that if you drink extra water more then 8 glass that it helps you lose less sodium?
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    the recommended amount is 1500 and the default setting here is 2500, so I think there is already enough extra figured in? Maybe they set it high for that very reason? I always wondered why it was so darn high and lowered mine myself.
  • Marquettedominos
    Marquettedominos Posts: 107 Member
    I believe the FDA changed there maximum recomended amount to 1500mg. You should not exeed that amount IMO. If you eat alot of fruit and veggies you will get plenty of sodium naturally. ie:Spinach has a smalll amount of sodium per serving
  • kiesh82
    kiesh82 Posts: 131 Member
    your sodium needs do not change depending on how much exercise you do- yes you sweat, but no one sweats out enough sodium to actually have a problem, and we eat SO MUCH sodium that we really dont need any more of it. no one needs more than 2500 mg/day. In fact, most of us require less than 1500mg/day no matter how much we work out

    Agreed.
  • TluvK
    TluvK Posts: 733 Member
    your sodium needs do not change depending on how much exercise you do- yes you sweat, but no one sweats out enough sodium to actually have a problem, and we eat SO MUCH sodium that we really dont need any more of it. no one needs more than 2500 mg/day. In fact, most of us require less than 1500mg/day no matter how much we work out

    Nobody? Well, I guess I'm nobody. I have very low blood pressure and I sweat tremendously when I work out, which I do 6-7 days a week. The two combined have become a problem for me. I actually require nearly twice the recommended 1500 mg/day because of of this.
  • IrishHarpy1
    IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member
    [Nobody? Well, I guess I'm nobody. I have very low blood pressure and I sweat tremendously when I work out, which I do 6-7 days a week. The two combined have become a problem for me. I actually require nearly twice the recommended 1500 mg/day because of of this.

    This is actually my problem as well... which is why I'm really curious to see a definitive answer on this :)
  • TluvK
    TluvK Posts: 733 Member
    [Nobody? Well, I guess I'm nobody. I have very low blood pressure and I sweat tremendously when I work out, which I do 6-7 days a week. The two combined have become a problem for me. I actually require nearly twice the recommended 1500 mg/day because of of this.

    This is actually my problem as well... which is why I'm really curious to see a definitive answer on this :)

    Have you seen a Dr.? My doc recommended to drink Gatorade and increase the salt in my food. I eat pretty clean, so I've just had to add more table salt when I cook. I don't really pay attention to my levels anymore, I just go by how I'm feeling. If I'm light-headed, I just increase my intake that day.
  • emilydmac
    emilydmac Posts: 382 Member
    Obviously if there is a medical issue- a doctor can give you a more definitive answer but for those of us without a medical issue- 1500 a day should be more than enough
  • TluvK
    TluvK Posts: 733 Member
    Obviously if there is a medical issue- a doctor can give you a more definitive answer but for those of us without a medical issue- 1500 a day should be more than enough

    It's pretty common for athletes, especially runners, to have low blood pressure and require extra sodium to control it. I wouldn't call it a medical issue, per se. But, I wanted to make sure that you are aware that there are many of us who need to replenish our sodium after some intense exercise. Your post was very definitive, lumping everyone together and it's just not a black and white issue.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    Obviously if there is a medical issue- a doctor can give you a more definitive answer but for those of us without a medical issue- 1500 a day should be more than enough

    It's pretty common for athletes, especially runners, to have low blood pressure and require extra sodium to control it. I wouldn't call it a medical issue, per se. But, I wanted to make sure that you are aware that there are many of us who need to replenish our sodium after some intense exercise. Your post was very definitive, lumping everyone together and it's just not a black and white issue.

    That's why Gatorade was invented.

    And yes, I'm serious. Gatorade was invented by the Florida Gators as a way to maintain electrolyte balance in their athletes.

    It might be worth swapping out at least some of your water for Gatorade during your workouts to help maintain it and keep your sodium levels up without making your food overly salty or having to add more food than you need to get your sodium needs.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories