Sodium Intake

[soxmuscle]

I just came across something crucial today, that I wasn't previously aware. Every school day I eat a Purdue Short Cuts bag of chicken, but because the box is so big, my mom when she buys them throws the boxes away right away and just keeps the bags full in the freezer.

So I was looking at the box in the recycling bin today and I realized I am getting 80% of my daily value in sodium solely from that bag of chicken I am eating at lunch. That easily puts my total daily intake around 150% I'd imagine, or atleast well over 100%.

My diet is basically to perfection besides a low fat cottage cheese instead of fat free at night, but that was shocking to me. Would this be something to be concerned about?

 

[GFR]

If its in a bag........don't eat it.

 

[ReelBigFish]

do you have problems w/ high blood pressure? or is there a history of it in your family. If not, then I would say you're ok. I get way more than I need and last time I went to the doctor, they said my BP was great. Just drink enough water you'll be alright.

 

[Emma-Leigh]

My diet is basically to perfection besides a low fat cottage cheese instead of fat free at night, but that was shocking to me. Would this be something to be concerned about?

If you are young, active, drinking enough fluids and sweating a lot + you do not have kidney, blood pressure or heart issues then don't worry about the sodium content. If would only matter if you:
1. cutting for a contents
2. medically compromised
3. not drinking enough water

 

[Dale Mabry]

If your that worried about it, get some potassium. I use no salt which is just potassium instead of sodium. It might even be half and half. Some like it some don't, I actually prefer it. I don't really think it is that big of a deal anyway for the reasons Emma posted.

 

[soxmuscle]

Interesting. I'll have to make up my mind this weekend and even though it will be a nuisance and probably an hour project, I might just make about 10 grilled chickens and eat 2 per day at lunch instead of the Purdue bagged chicken I am eating currently.

Thanks for the help, and Dale... its straight potassium and tastes similar to salt? can it be purchased at a regular grocery store?

 

[Emma-Leigh]

Thanks for the help, and Dale... its straight potassium and tastes similar to salt? can it be purchased at a regular grocery store?

They are products designed as salt substitutes such as "No Salt" or "Morton Salt Substitute" - things like that. You should be able to find them in your local stores.

 

[boilermaker]

There is a blood pressure machine in nearly every pharmacy you visit. Its free, and while not as accurate as a nurse doing it with a cuff and stethascope it will give you an idea. If your low number (diastolic) is above 85, then you need to get it checked out. Heart disease kills more women and more people overall than anything else, so its important to check.

 

[soxmuscle]

Thanks Emma.

I actually had high blood pressure in the grocery store one, and then got worried and got it checked out, and it turned out my arm was too big for the cuff. I turned from being a little worried to being happy as ever, I mean my arm being too big for the cuff? wow. ha.