Sodium

This week at WW (Weight Watchers) we talked about Sodium. It was surprising to discover all the places one finds sodium. Like carrots, apples, celery, cucumber, fish etc., I have access to my sodium intake in my WW (Weight Watchers) app. It is broken down by mg's in individual foods and by percentage per meal.

I find it interesting to explore how sodium is an essential mineral that our body needs for normal muscle and nerve function, fluid balance, including regulating blood pressure. How it plays a crucial role in overall health and yet how easy it appears to overdo sodium intake.

Salt contains sodium and it contains almost the daily recommended intake in 1 tsp. Wow....

I gathered from our week that processed foods contain lots of sodium and it is not the best for our health. That natural sodium is what I tend to have in my diet. I am happy to know that the sodium I am injesting is helping to transport glucose, amino acids, and other nutrients into my cells. I don't even have to think about it! Canada health recommends less than 2300 mg per day for adults. However what we specifically need is best explored with our health team!

In my curiosity I noticed that some days my sodium intake is low. Other's it is high. I am learning to explore where sodium and I meet in my day. I am learning to be more curious and explored sodium labeling. I am interested in learning more from Health Canada. It is a great resource to explore the suggested parameters for sodium intake. A starting point.

I am grateful to have a medical doctor and at one point in the not-so-distant future I may explore this with a nutritionist. It is a process of learning and when I am ready, I will go there!

When it comes to weight gain, sodium does not contain calories, yet excess sodium leads to fluid retention. Salting our food tends to encourage us to eat more of that food. Why? It tastes so darn good.

I am curious to connect the snacking industry and how they utilize sodium to keep us going back to their snacks.

I am left with the questions of how I want to live my life with balance and what role does sodium play in that balance of life and my health.

I know from some of my friends who are suffering from high blood pressure; sodium plays a role in their maintaining heart health. It is also crucial in terms of my friends with diabetes.

Where do you and your sodium line up? Do you think about it? is it something that you are curious about?

Have a great week!