Sodium driving me crazy...
 

I have never really cared about sodium (or should I say, I never really knew anything about it) till recently...

I'm really trying to keep my sodium low (under 2,300mg) but it almost seems impossible to me! and let me repeat that I'm really trying! What's wrong with me?? Are you supposed to eat 0 salt in order to stay on track???

In the past, when I was counting calories (not sodium) I used to eat all kind of things, and now looking back my sodium back then was probably in the 4000's....

Sometimes ignorance is bliss....
:o

your sodium can go over the 2300 relatively easily if you are using anything at all that is prepackaged. Now, don't get me wrong, not all prepackaged stuff is sodium laden, but quite a bit is. Canned soups..HUGE sodium. A simple can of campbells tomato soup, which is quite low in calories and fat has more sodium than you want to know about. Even the low salt versions have more than they actually need. If you use boullion in making broths and soup, these too, add massive sodium. Soy sauce, of course, is huge. I use it for flavoring in many things, but have learned to be very sparing with it. Most of us don't get our sodium from a shaker, we get it in premade foods. I had quite the difficult time when I first started too. I would notice I was way over 3000 most every day, and often closer to 4 or 5. Yikes. Now, I don't obsess over sodium, and some days I do go a fair bit over, but I now pay a lot more attention to it, and the majority of the time I can keep under the 2400 mark. On the days when you do go heavy, for whatever reason, make sure to up your water intake to counteract it, and avoid that nasty water gain.

I agree with everything TornadoSiren said, but wanted to add a few things.

Are you tracking all your food? What program are you using? If you use daily plate you can see sodium counts in each of your foods making you more aware of it. Then you can then make alterations to your diet. For instance I used to always eat fat free pretzels every morning for a snack. They filled me up and were low cal and fat free but had a TON of sodium! Also cheese was a common snack for me. A slice of american for an after work snack but I had no idea how much sodium each slice had until I started tracking it.

When I first started I had issues keeping sodium down and if I eat out I pretty much KNOW I will be over my sodium count.

Right now I just try to keep under what Daily Plate tells me to, but I've actually read that you should keep sodium mg under your calorie count. Well actually it said 1000mg sodium/1000 calories but I took that as a calorie = 1mg sodium limit. I have not been able to get my sodium THAT low but it usually ends up right above 2000 everyday (assuming I don't eat out).

Also I eat cereal or breakfast and a Lean cuisine for lunch but other than that I don't eat prepackaged stuff too often for dinner so I am sure that helps.

Good luck!

I can give you a few tips. My mom who has a bad heart condition eats 500mgs or less of sodium a day. You would be surprised at what has sodium in it.
Tap water - horrible, loaded with sodium
celery - loaded with sodium. Natura sodium is just as bad as processed sodium.
She go to the health food section of the grocery store. The have tons of things sodium free. If you really want to start removing more sodium from your diet, it is the best place to start.

It is very hard for me to be under 2000mgs of sodium every day. And I do try my best to stay between 1500-2000. I read somewhere that if you consume a tad bit too much sodium during your day, just make sure you sweat a lot during your workout and drink 2 glasses of water before you go to bed.

I eat almost all very low sodium foods and I still struggle to stay under 2300. I don't eat out, I don't eat pre-packaged meals, When using something like mustard with 60mg/teaspoon I even measure it out first. It is frustrating.

My sodium for today was: 1,251, 1/2 of that was consumed at supper in the form of a home made soup.

My tips:
1) Non-processed eating is a great way to lower sodium. Cook your rice from scratch, make your own soup, get low sodium when that's an option. Finding alternatives to what you are eating now can be difficult, but its worth it.
2) Read labels. As much as the previous point will help being aware of sodium levels in goods will lead to lower levels as well. Skip canned goods for the most part (all tend to be high in sodium).
3) Remember your body needs SOME sodium, and watch for high in sodium veggies (namely celery comes to mind).

Good luck. If you need any help pm and I can give you some ideas based on your day to day menu.