[ParadiseFalls]

How big a deal is going over your recommended intake of sodium? If you drink water, does it offset it? Because I noticed lately that I get much too much sodium, and I'm wondering if I should cut back or if it's fine as long as I drink enough water.

[AnnieDrews]

I wouldn't routinely go crazy with the sodium and think, "Well, I'll just increase water to balance it out." I don't know the chemistry, but I know that routine over-consumption of sodium is not good for our bodies in many ways (hypertension, etc.). I personally don't count actual numbers on sodium, but am making wiser choices and subconsciously keeping track.

That being said, when I know that I have had something high in sodium, I do drink a big glass of water afterward. I just try to stay within a reasonable range most of the time.

[ennay]

If you are talking a glass of water ok. But drinking a lot of water to try to balance out your sodium is a bad idea. There are other electrolytes that will become too dilute.

If you have a medical need to keep your sodium low, then cut back. If you are just keeping it low because you are trying to be healthier, then an occasional excursion is probably ok.

Sodium is not something I worry about and for me PERSONALLY I have been advised to keep my sodium intake on the higher end (ie the recommended limit or a bit above, not american processed food diet)

If you are thirsty, drink. If you are not thirsty, dont drink. With rare exception, thirst is really your best measure of appropriate water intake.

[ParadiseFalls]

I'm hardly ever thirsty, though, so any time I get the RDI of water or more than 64oz, I'm making myself drink it.

With the sodium, I don't think I go WAY over, but I probably go over the RDI most days. I don't keep track but I've just been noticing the high values in a lot of the frozen diet dinners I eat.

[Shalin]

I am not really an expert on this but i know that in the past i have had a bad expirence trying to compensate like this. So i would try to avoid it as much as possible