Is sodium really important to track?

Alexstrasza
Alexstrasza Posts: 619 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I set my sodium to 1500 after being told that it would affect my weight loss.

Then I'm told it won't affect it and only effect water retention.

So what is sodium supposed to be set at and why?

Replies

  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    For me its important to track. I bloat horribly if I overdo it plus sodium is no good for you in excess anyway. I like to stick to 1500 but as long as I am under 2000 I am happy.
  • TheDreadedJynx
    TheDreadedJynx Posts: 49
    Sodium increases water retention, but you do need it. I would stick to the preset setting and try to meet it. So many things contain sodium! The biggest hinderance it poses to weight loss is through the scale. If you have a lot of sodium, your weight may increase for a few days or so.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    It doesn't do a thing for fat loss, but it can make your scale go nutty, which can make your brain go nutty if you focus solely on the scale.

    I might retain a few pounds after having too much sodium, but I don't get uncomfortably bloated from it, so I stopped fussing over it. I try to stay under 2500, but some days I go way over. I drink a lot of fluid and sweat heavy when I exercise... when I'm done, I'm like a frickin' salt lick.
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    For your health, it's ultra important. For weight loss, it's important in that it helps to maintain sanity! Keeping your sodium under 1500 should help to prevent daily fluctuations. MFP's default is high. 1500 is the recommendation if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. I think it's a good number to aim for.
  • SunnyAndrsn
    SunnyAndrsn Posts: 369 Member
    I'm a nurse, and the cardiac diet recommendation is 2grams at my hospital. I would suggest following this, and if you are drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day you should not have the issues with fluctuation on the scale due to water retention. I have a friend who was doing a diet plan that recommended very low sodium, about 1 gram a day and her serum sodium levels dropped below the normal range--she began getting lightheaded and feeling dizzy. She went to the doctor and found out her sodium levels were too low, so she stopped that particular diet plan.

    I would say stay between 1500-2000mg. The 2000mg is based on a 2,000calorie diet.
  • atjays
    atjays Posts: 797 Member
    1500 is awefully hard to hit, eating 2500 calories worth of food makes staying under 2000mg of sodium a fairy tale dream. I sure cannot get the other nutrients I need without dragging the sodium with it. I just stopped looking at the scale everyday.
  • HeidiRene
    HeidiRene Posts: 335 Member
    Personally, I don't give a flying flip about my sodium. I have lost weight not caring and been skinny not caring. So, I still don't care! I say pick your battles. Like, I don't eat anything with trans fat but I love Diet Dr. Pepper. I mainly eat whole nutritious foods but don't ask me to give up my Splenda. That's how I roll.
  • kasebrad
    kasebrad Posts: 61 Member
    I'm not sure if it would affect weight loss that much, but consuming too much salt has been liked to hypertension, upping your risk of cardiovascular disease. Just for the sake of health, it's best to keep sodium as low as possible (under 2500mg). Your body actually only needs about 500mg to function.
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