Ughh Sodium...

I made a goal this week to cut back my sodium intake...it just seems like a healthy thing to do (but I do have low BP which is why I haven't been too concerned) - I was eating/drinking maybe 5000mg a day (includes powerade zero and propel drinks...)

So, I set off on this mission, but it seems like everything has sodium in it!!! I think I'd literally have to go catch my own chicken and cook it - I dont like to cook, but it's not like I'm eating frozen dinners!! I still somehow, between breakfast, lunch and snacks, seemed to make it to 2500mg sodium (and that was after I gave up the cottage cheese and dill pickles).

It's  work in progress I suppose.

Does anyone else track their sodium carefully - if so, what kind of ranges do you usually fall in? I dont see myself making it under 2500mg/day.

 
Hi.
I'm not counting my sodium too closely, although I seem to get at least 500mg more than recommended every day.  I've had low blood pressure in the past (like 95/55), and my doctor recommended I increase salt AND caffeine to keep it up.

Anyway, if you have low to low-normal blood pressure, no kidney problems and are drinking over 64 oz of water a day, you probably don't have anything to worry about.  Keep in mind that cutting back too far on sodium can cause some severe health problems, long-term.

Well, I guess I'd recommend talking to your PCP and getting sodium levels checked.  Otherwise, unless it is causing you to retain fluids, it might not be an issue.  Sodium isn't evil.  We need it to live, after all.

As active as you seem to be from all your great posts, you might need as much as you are ingesting.

I track my sodium everyday, along with other nutrients. I keep my sodium 1500 mg or under for the majority of the time. Sometimes, it does go over, but not very often. It seems to fairly easy to do, since I don't eat out very much, nor do I eat very many processed foods. 2300 mg/day is the upper limit of the daily recommendation for sodium. I don't drink powerade zero or propel drinks. I eat cottage cheese on an occassional basis and even when I do, it doesn't send me up very high.

5000 mg/day is too much. Anything prepared will have more sodium added to it. I don't even buy rotisserie chicken any longer. Just about EVERYTHING has sodium added to it. I try not to eat anything that has more than 400-500 mg of sodium in it.

We do need sodium, but not as much as most Americans obtain in their diets. Restaurant meals alone can contain a minimum of 1,000mg and it goes upward from that.

You are my idol.

LOL!! Sparkspeople does it for me, I jus****ch how much processed foods I eat, and I don't eat out very often. Plus, I don't want the water weight gain. Prior to WLS, I had hypertension, so I learned to be aware of it.

But you are such an all rounder.  There is not one aspect of this journey you don't practice.  That's such an accomplishment.That's me bowing down to you.  Take it.

Thank you so very much!!! I work at it everyday, because if I don't, the weight will sneak back upon me. I have tried to learn from people who are further out than myself and to learn from their mistakes, as well as triumphs. This is my last chance. I don't want to go back to my fat suit, sleep apnea, increasing joint issues, pre-diabetes, and every other ill that went will bein MO. Excess food isn't worth it. I have to look at my feelings and thoughts more, now that I am not "numbed" out.



Gail

lover of cats.... I use sparks, I don't see it the option, can you email me and point it out....

Alison, thanks for the suggestion been too lazy to look at sodium... even though I don't eat much processed food, I do use it to cook and with meals, time to find out, where I'm at.....

I use Sparkpeople.com, but any of the online tracking tools will allow you to track whatever nutrient you wish to. Many people love myfitnesspal.com, but I started with sparkpeople and have my list of favorites, so I have stuck with it. Tracking really, really works and is one of the keys to successful weight loss and maintenance.

Sodium is really insidious and is in everything that we eat and drink. So, if I am up a pound or two overnight, I know that it is most likely sodium, especially if I have eaten out.

Just re-read your posting. Go to the Nutrition Tracker and there is a small button on the left that states, "tracker options." It is under "change the day for tracking food." Select "diet settings." It will bring you to a long list of nutrients that you would like to track and the parameters.


gail

Ugh, I sit here eating unsalted friendship cottage cheese. I love cottage cheese but there should be just a little itty bitty pinch of sodium.  Why does it have to be overkill or nothing at all?  Cottage cheese has become one of my favorite foods for sure.  Breakstones does make it 1/3 less sodium - I think it should be 1/4  the sodium of the regular type.  Anyways it's hard but possible.

I personally have always been afraid of sugar, salt, fat (probably since I was about 20).  It is sort of a phobia of sorts.  Both my parents are diabetic.  Dad was 27 when diagnosed and had no weight issue but his "small bodied" family seems to automatically become diabetic.

So with my concerns about HBP, heart disease, diabetes etc.  I noticed that I appear a little "nutty" to other people.  Recently it was brought to my knowledge that my family was laughing at me for having all diet foods (healthy foods actually)  in my house - this I hear has been an ongoing laugh .  So I've been aware - feel kinda stupid when I can't help myself quoting how many calories, sodium, sugar something probably has in it.  It is a bit nutty.  I kinda care but I can't help it. I did something that was probably wrong.  My 6 year old niece stayed with me and her mom sent her this kids double sized can-like container that goes in the microwave raviolies (spel).  I told her if she ate those raviolies, her toes would swell up like pickles.  We laughed and laughed like we usually do - to girls playing (I'm amazing I know, a big kid) but my niece - 5 months later will not touch canned raviolies nor table salt (got in a habit from parents).

My biggest concern would be passing a somewhat eating disorder onto a child, my children when I have them one day.

I say if you are aware of sodium content and making healthy choices then you shouldn't worry.  It is not like you are eating TV dinners.

Sorry to have gone on.

All Best,
L