Who doesn't eat extra salt?

[SIcklyhatED]

Granted, when I was a kid I'd <em>pour</em>salt on everything because 1. I played soccer in the desert year round and 2. everyone told me to eat lots of it. I looooooved salt. But now I hardly eat salt at all. I kept forgetting to add it to food and my tastebuds adjusted. Now if I eat anything that has slightly elevated levels of sodium I retain a ton of water, to the point of it being painful. I avoid extra sodium like the plague because it's awful.
Just wondering if there's any other CFers who don't eat ridiculous levels of salt?

 

[Havoc]

My docs used to tell my parents not to worry about it. They said if i needed more I would naturally crave it. If that is true, you apparently don't need as much as you used to.

Are you still as active? Maybe being more sedentary and not running around in the heat has changed your body's requirement.

 

[kitomd21]

If you routinely have blood work done, you may have an idea of whether or not you need to supplement. Granted...blood work only tells you what your values are today...fluctuations in electrolytes are common....

 

[Ratatosk]

Similar to Jonathan, DS' doc indicated he'd crave the salt he needs. Summertime he tends to take frequent hits off the salt shaker, add salt to everything including cookies... He's more active outside all day playing. Wintertime unless he's more active he doesn't eat as much salt.

 

[beautifulsoul]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i> Summertime he tends to take frequent hits off the salt shaker, add salt to everything including cookies... He's more active outside all day playing. Wintertime unless he's more active he doesn't eat as much salt.</end quote>
I agree with Jonathan as well. My doctors usually never bring up the salt intake unless they see that I need more. They always suggest trying to eat more salty things in the summer (as Liza mentioned above) since CF individuals lose salt through sweating/activity. Otherwise I never worry about it.

 

[ryry11]

I don't remember ever being told that I need to take in more salt. I naturally like pretzels and popcorn, but I dont add salt to them. When it's hot, I will drink Gatorade and eat pretzels to make sure I don't lose too much salt, but that's more preventative than reactive.

 

[Printer]

I (we) only add salt during cooking, very seldon at the table. I do, whoever, neb 7% sailine.

Bill

 

[mamerth]

I crave salt once in a while.... if I do I eat potato chips. Problem solved.

When I was first diagnosed they told me to salt EVERYTHING. I thought it made food taste gross.

I use salt in my cooking and baking (to enhance the flavor) but don't use it at the table. Super salty foods tend to make me cough more than normal (not good while eating).

 

[rubyroselee]

I don't add table salt to anything - just don't care for the taste of really salty foods. But when I do crave salt (which happens from time to time), I tend to eat a salty snack.

 

[Deb]

I only add extra salt when I have been working out and sweating a lot. And then it is usually salt on popcorn (my favorite snack) As others have said, when I was younger it seemed to be more of an issues, especially in the summer.

 

[Hardak]

I don't do high amounts of salt ether, in fact its been years sense I went around craving something salty. My big one when I go for salt is pretzels . If you need it you'll crave it so don't worry to much.

 

[SeeEff]

I remember taking homemade salt pills (empty enzyme capsules filled with salt) when I was young. But that was when I was doing something in excessive heat like being at water-park all day.

I don't know when I stopped taking them but I never recall ENJOYING extra salt & shaking it on top of things. I don't want to say never but my kitchen salt shaker has been full for many years <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[CrisDopher]

I probably oversalt my chicken seasonings, but I don't salt my food once it hits the table. In fact, I didn't own a salt shaker until I was 38.

I do, however, make certain that my salt needs are met while exercising. Gatorade (and similar) does not have enough electrolytes for CF people. I supplement w/ Endurolytes from Hammer Nutrition. Not just salt, but a bunch of other electrolytes and trace elements we similarly sweat out.