Salt

[longstocking]

I see many low-carbers here try to avoid foods with high sodium content because high sodium can lead to water retention. Maybe my question is totally stupid but if I add some salt to meat and eggs during cooking, can it make my body retain water? If i get that right, sodium and salt are basically the same thing? Or not?

Also, I've read in the Atkins '72 thread that in his book Atkins advised to add more salt if you're feeling weak due to rapid weight loss. I've been feeling pretty weak lately, so should I add more salt to my food?

Lynn

[suzanneyea]

How long have you been doing Atkins? Feeling weak is normal in the begining. Also, what are you eating? Post a daily menu and we can get a better idea on how to help.
There is nothing wrong with adding salt, but I am thinking you might not be eating enough calories or fat.

[longstocking]

I'm currently on Stillman's diet (low-carb, low-fat). Yes, I'm not eating many calories but I'm just not that hungry (deep ketosis rocks). Feeling a little weak is another matter. I understand that it's normal for me to feel weak on such diet, but i just thought salt could make things a little easier.

[suzanneyea]

Sorry, I am no help here. I do a high fat diet.

[tena75]

Originally Posted by suzanneyea

Sorry, I am no help here. I do a high fat diet.

I am no help either. The more fat I have the better I feel, it seems. And that is alright with me!


Tena

[tena75]

Also, I don't have a problem with sodium. Doesn't bother me or make me retain water at all.


Tena

[pepperette]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"]Using Celtic sea salt is better than regular table salt- has extra minerals needed by the body. Table salt is just sodium, and a major retainer of water. Also watch out for MSG in products (mono-[COLOR="Red"]sodium[/COLOR]-gluconate).[/COLOR]

[thestreets]

I agree with pepperette. Get some celtic sea salt, it has trace minerals and no nasty added stuff like regular table salt. But, make sure to get a good brand - look how the salt was processed and from what region it is. Many companies are cashing in by selling supposed sea salt that is just regular salt but coarser. The one I get is from Britanny and it is harvested by paludiers (salt farmers).

Salt doesn't raise blood pressure in the majority of people and shouldn't bloat you, unless it is processed food salt or table salt.

I would take some quality salt if you are feeling weak. I get the same weak feeling and just add extra salt and feel better. especially in the summer when I am drinking lots of water and the sodium is being flushed out, so you need to replace it. You can also supplement with minerals because they are contributing to the weak feeling that comes from quick weight loss.

I don't avoid salt - no need to.

[longstocking]

pepperette and thestreets thanks for a great advice! I added 1/2 tsp of salt to my tuna couple of hours ago and i'm already feeling much better.
It was iodinated salt, not sea salt, though. I'm definitely going to try to find celtic salt.

I take mineral supplements (calcium, chromium and magnesium), but not potassium, because it's kinda hard to find a descent potassium supplement. I'm gonna try to find it, though. I've heard potassium is very important for heart.

[2big4mysize]

you can supplement your potassium with one of the salt sub salts as they have potassium in them.

the salt would help if you were losing rapid and feeling weak because your blood pressure will drop when that happens. Get your blood pressure checked next time and see if that is the cause

[longstocking]

Originally Posted by 2big4mysize

you can supplement your potassium with one of the salt sub salts as they have potassium in them.

the salt would help if you were losing rapid and feeling weak because your blood pressure will drop when that happens. Get your blood pressure checked next time and see if that is the cause

I didn't realize salt can effect my blood pressure. I have a low blood pressure very often, so no wonder I'm feeling weak right now. And I also drink water like a fish because of ketosis - it makes me very thirsty, so it probably flushes out all the sodium..

Thanks a lot everyone!

[thisisrightnow]

Originally Posted by tena75

Also, I don't have a problem with sodium. Doesn't bother me or make me retain water at all.


Tena

I wish I could say the same! More than 1000mg of sodium makes me retain water, so I limit my sodium to about 700-800mg. It sucks cause some of the yummiest foods are packed with sodium heavily.

[2big4mysize]

Originally Posted by longstocking

I didn't realize salt can effect my blood pressure. I have a low blood pressure very often, so no wonder I'm feeling weak right now. And I also drink water like a fish because of ketosis - it makes me very thirsty, so it probably flushes out all the sodium..

Thanks a lot everyone!

it is likely it is flushing you of potassium and water soluble vits and minerals too

[LustfortheMoment]

I've heard potassium is very important for heart.

HIGHLY critical. A low potassium can cause a life-threatening arrhythmia. Fortunately, potassium is present in most foods that we eat. However, since the Stillman regimen is so limited, I use Potassium Chloride with most meals; it's sold in supermarkets as a salt substitute.......


Good Luck,

[longstocking]

I just went out and bought a pack of sea salt. I couldn't find celtic sea salt and potassium chloride, though. But the brand I got contains potassium iodine among other minerals.

I'm feeling 200 % better! So full of energy right now!

[icandoit]

Make sure you take all your vitamins! Whenever you feel weak-just mix some sea salt and potassium substitute and just put little by little in your mouth. Always does the trick for me. I have the most energy on Stillmans. I agree that it is probably your blood pressure getting low that is making you feel weak.

[DaffodilSoup]

I agree with other posters on the sea salt. I also have Kosher salt in my cabinet - a little bit goes a long way.

As far as the weakness, I wouldn't be surprised if it's because you're eating few calories and depriving your body of carbs AND fat, as Stillman's requires. Is this the way you plan on eating the rest of your life, or are you just breaking a stall or something?

[longstocking]

Originally Posted by Canada_Bound

I agree with other posters on the sea salt. I also have Kosher salt in my cabinet - a little bit goes a long way.

As far as the weakness, I wouldn't be surprised if it's because you're eating few calories and depriving your body of carbs AND fat, as Stillman's requires. Is this the way you plan on eating the rest of your life, or are you just breaking a stall or something?

No, I'm not planning to eat like this for the rest of my life. I just need to lose first 10-15 pounds really quickly for personal reasons. I'm loving stillman's so far. I lose on it three times faster than on atkins induction or even on VLC (very low carb). I've never been in such deep ketosis. I'm not hungry. I have to remind myself to eat and I've got absolutely no cravings, even for carby foods (which is the best part, because I had serious problem with that before). And I'm feeling great (except for that weakness thing today, that already passed).

But I understand that it's not healthy and even dangerous long-term. And I'm planning to switch to other LC plan later.

[DaffodilSoup]

Originally Posted by longstocking

No, I'm not planning to eat like this for the rest of my life. I just need to lose first 10-15 pounds really quickly for personal reasons. I'm loving stillman's so far. I lose on it three times faster than on atkins induction or even on VLC (very low carb). I've never been in such deep ketosis. I'm not hungry. I have to remind myself to eat and I've got absolutely no cravings, even for carby foods (which is the best part, because I had serious problem with that before). And I'm feeling great (except for that weakness thing today, that already passed).

But I understand that it's not healthy and even dangerous long-term. And I'm planning to switch to other LC plan later.

I'm glad to hear you've found something that works for you Congrats!

[b_lou_who]

Originally Posted by longstocking

I'm currently on Stillman's diet (low-carb, low-fat). Yes, I'm not eating many calories but I'm just not that hungry (deep ketosis rocks). Feeling a little weak is another matter. I understand that it's normal for me to feel weak on such diet, but i just thought salt could make things a little easier.

Some potassium salt can help with that. It is not sodium. I like NuSalt or Morton's Litesalt

[longstocking]

Originally Posted by sassymanal

Make sure you take all your vitamins! Whenever you feel weak-just mix some sea salt and potassium substitute and just put little by little in your mouth. Always does the trick for me. I have the most energy on Stillmans. I agree that it is probably your blood pressure getting low that is making you feel weak.

I take a multivitamin daily and a bunch of other supplements (B family vitamins, fish oil etc.).

Thanks for the advice. I will carry a little pack of salt in my bag from now on.

[thisisrightnow]

Originally Posted by longstocking

I've heard potassium is very important for heart.

It's also essential for nerve impulses, and muscle contractions. If your potassium is off, so will those functions be.