Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

I know...as I type...that this must seem silly but I love salt. I have always loved it and even as a kid when my mom worried and asked the doctor he said I was fine. I have always had perfect blood pressure so they said to go with the rule of thumb of going with the cravings...as if my body was saying it needed something.

So....I continue to use salt on my steaks (even before I eat it) but I see that everyone watches their sodium intake. This makes me nervous...and since I love salt I never asked my dr...but....why do pregnant women avoid or reduce their sodium intake?

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

I never had a problem with salt or blood pressure like you. But during pg's, especially as you get later, salt makes you swell and retain water like crazy!

When I ate lots of salt, i couldn't even put my shoes on my feet would swell up so badly, and I never had swelling at all with pg.

With DD i wore my rings til i was 34 weeks.

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

I know that salt increases water retention, so swelling might be an issue....

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

Ang, they want us to control the sodium intake due to blood pressure and also the fact that we are pg and retain so much water and need so much more...sodium tends to bloat you.

Im 25wks and havent dealt with any issues. Thank gosh. I love salt like you and at times will try to take less, just cause it is better for you.

No bloating, no water retention, no blood pressure issues...rings still fit.

SO enjoy the salt, I will too!

Message edited 1/18/2007 9:32:03 AM.

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

This thread is making me crave a salt bagel......

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

I LOVE salt and put it on every bite of steak/chicken. There are just some things I can't do without!

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

Whew - you all are making me feel so much better. So far I have been very lucky (and grateful) not to have too many issues with swelling. My wedding ring just stopped fitting on my finger in the last two weeks but other than that - no complaints.

These are some really good points though - I want to be careful so maybe I will cut back a bit and just enjoy it on my steaks.

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

It isn't good to cut it out completely as some salt is good for you - but too much salt can lead to swelling and water retention. Some people are more sensative than others. I use a little salt and it doesn't bother me - just make sure if you feel bloated or swelling you might want to cut back a bit.

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

Re: Sodium...Salt....Why do we avoid it?

Posted by Ang-Rich

Whew - you all are making me feel so much better. So far I have been very lucky (and grateful) not to have too many issues with swelling. My wedding ring just stopped fitting on my finger in the last two weeks but other than that - no complaints.

These are some really good points though - I want to be careful so maybe I will cut back a bit and just enjoy it on my steaks.