Improvements in mental health since reducing sodium intake?

RavenLRiehl
RavenLRiehl Posts: 3 Member
in Food and Nutrition

I’ve been feeling sluggish for YEARS and I’m sure it’s because of my pickle addiction. I can literally eat a small jar of Mt. Olive pickle spears in 1 day and I’ll go out the next day and buy another. I’m embarrased to admit it. I’ll also eat high sodium foods like processed meats pizzas and subs. I want to feel better but the more sodium I eat, the more sodium I want. It has gotten worse. I went to a Chinese restaurant a few nights ago and had to put multiple sauces on every few bites because it was not satisfying me.

Please tell me that my mental health and energy levels will improve and hopefully my brain fog will go away as well. It’s not just eating a lot of sodium that’s the problem, it’s also drinking a lot of diet cokes and no water. 😭

Replies

  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 15,700 Member

    I don't know about fog or diet cokes.

    But, mainly because I've done it a few times in my life (going from adding salt on everything to adding salt on nothing), I do know that after a time period of adjustment and "weaning" from salt… you do re-adjust. And then everything feels exceedingly salty.

    So, hopefully, you will feel better by reducing. Of course you're also retaining water with the extra sodium so you may also reduce scale weight by a couple of lbs by reducing that retention which may also make you feel more "springy".

  • jennyell85
    jennyell85 Posts: 79 Member

    The sodium may or may not play a part. It would probably contribute to dehydration which can make you feel tired and have the "brain fog". Try drinking more water and cutting back (gradually) to a reasonable amount of sodium and see how you feel? Eventually as PAV8888 said you do get used to it and then you notice things taste very salty.

    However I want to point out it could also be the overall quality of your diet that causes you to feel sluggish. As you mentioned things like pizza, subs, chinese food, etc. I know that as I've made the change to more nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, protein, fiber foods, instead of more processed foods, I've had more energy. (Note that not all processed foods are bad for you.) That, and drinking water, getting enough sleep, not relying too much on caffeine, etc.

  • SafariGalNYC
    SafariGalNYC Posts: 2,429 Member
    edited October 18

    I did an elimination diet years ago per my doctor to see if it could address my brain fog and fatigue. It helped immensely. (There was nothing else wrong with me- I had some food sensitivities though..)

    Since switching up my diet considerably- I Am energized and a lot more focused.

    Maybe try an elimination diet and see how you feel.

    Quick processed foods can cause insulin spikes — and crashes.

    A craving for salty foods can sometimes signal a deficiency in minerals like magnesium and iron.

    Do you follow what minerals you are getting? Have you had your thyroid checked and been to doctor?

    Switch it up asap to get ahead of this. I absolutely hated feeling sluggish and foggy. There are fixes!

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