Watch out for that sodium.....

 "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (*This line was spoken by Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh. It actually originates from the animated Disney films (specifically the 1997 movie Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin).)

(**DISCLAIMER: I am focusing this mostly for patients doing hemodialysis because that is the perspective I am personally coming from. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL)

Hi Dialysis Friends!

Watch out for that sodium,....it'll getcha! Yes, we are all about sodium today because now-a-days it seems that everything has sodium in it. But exactly how much is good for you really is a decision that is made between you and your renal dietician along with your kidney doctor. They are trained professionals who can help guide you on your journey to finding the right balance of sodium for you and your type of dialysis. Because, even though the number(milligrams of sodium/day) might be different for each of us, there are some basic concept and helpful tips to guide you on your journey to find your way through the "roadblocks" and "danger signs" along the way.

*The recommended range for maximum sodium intake for a hemodialysis patient is typically between 1,500 mg and 2,000 mg per day. This limit (often generalized as < 2,000 mg per day or roughly 1 teaspoon of salt) prevents excessive thirst, fluid buildup, and severe increases in blood pressure between treatments.(*Sodium limits are critical to managing weight gain and cardiovascular strain. )[1, 2, 3, 4]

Why the Limit is So Low:

Daily Limit: (ie 2,000\mg) (equivalent to about 1 level teaspoon of salt).

The "Hidden" Culprits: Processed foods, canned soups, cured meats, and restaurant meals.

Reading Labels: Look for foods with < 140\mg) of sodium per serving. [1, 2]

Thirst Control: High amounts of sodium trigger strong thirst. Because dialysis patients are on strict fluid limits, reducing salt makes it much easier to avoid drinking too much water between treatments.

Blood Pressure and Heart Health: Excess salt causes the body to retain water, forcing the heart to work harder to pump it. This can lead to swelling, shortness of breath, and heart failure.[1, 2, 3, 4]

Dialysis Comfort: Eating less sodium helps prevent uncomfortable blood pressure spikes and cramping during the actual dialysis session.[1, 2]

Where Sodium Hides:

A low-sodium diet goes beyond putting away the salt shaker. You should limit or avoid processed, packaged, and restaurant foods. Watch processed and canned foods like soups, frozen meals, and canned vegetables. Restaurant and fast foods typically contain incredibly high concentrations of salt,unless you can ask them to hold the salt. Cured or salt-cured meats such as bacon, ham, deli meats, and hot dogs and some pre-seasoned sausages should be avoided.

Helpful Tools and Resources:

Read Labels: Look for foods that have less than 6% to 10% of the daily value for sodium, or utilize terms like "sodium-free" and "low sodium".[1, 2, 3]

Educational Support: Access tips and eating guidelines through the National Kidney Foundation for comprehensive kidney-friendly diet strategies. [1, 2, 3]

Personalized Plans: Always consult with a renal dietician (every clinic should have at least one) and your nephrologist(kidney doctor). 

My Personal Struggles:

I gotta admit, keeping my sodium in check is a constant struggle. Some days I nail it, others, not so much. But I gotta stay focused, for my own good. As a dialysis patient, I absolutely need to keep my sodium intake super low, basically to stay alive (if you look at the big picture).

I've noticed that once I put the salt shaker away, I started getting way more creative in the kitchen. Mrs. Dash is my new bestie, seriously. She's saved me from so many flavor dilemmas. Plus, a lot of the time I do my research before I decide what to cook for dinner. I tend to "ask Google" a specific type of question, like "Is_________ good for a hemodialysis patient?" because hemodialysis patients have a really specific diet. I also ask it about serving sizes and nutritional info. (Now, I'm not saying "Google" is always right, but it's great for quickly getting protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sugar, and carb amounts. It can also give you a general idea if something's a good choice – most of the time.)

So, I totally recommend doing your homework before you grab an ingredient or try a new recipe. There are tons of "low" or "no sodium" stuff out there now, both in stores and online. You just gotta do your research. I've actually stopped cooking with salt and try to watch my sodium when I'm in the canned goods aisle. Like, I get no-salt canned mushrooms (super convenient!) but I still rinse them twice before using them.

The only thing I've noticed is that the "no salt" canned beans can get a bit mushy when you cook with them, so maybe go for the "lower salt" ones or regular and just rinse them extra well. That's why I usually buy all my fruits and veggies fresh. It's actually easier because you know exactly what's in your food.

Now, about my "bad habits" on the other side of the spectrum. I tend to eat Stouffer's Macaroni and Beef frozen dinners, maybe once a week (to be fair, I only eat half at a time). And I'm a total sucker for garlic stuffed olives (YUM!). So, yeah, I'm not perfect... just a regular human.

Alright, that's enough from me for today. Have a great weekend and "I'll catch you on the flip-side!" Hope your weekend is relaxing and it recharges your soul!

Tina

Here's another great quote: 

" The greatest glory in living, lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela (he was actually quoting an adage written centuries earlier by the Irish writer and poet Oliver Goldsmith in 1760)

Thank you for reading my blog and have a great day.

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