(Water weight - The reason why you drop 5 pounds in a week)
Ever wonder why most American's weigh more then your average citizen-of-earth? It may have something to do with our diet. Fast foods contain high levels of sodium (half of the chemical duo salt), which increases water retention in our bodies.
Most weight gains can be sliced into three parts, Lean, Fat and Water weights. In fact, most adults can retain around 5 pounds of water weight, which is the reason why most of us fluctuate in weight during the day.
Due to the stress high levels of sodium does to the kidneys, the body dilutes the blood with more water. This in itself is not dangerous, however continued high sodium intakes does lead to kidney damage, high blood pressure, and weight gain.
People who cut weight regularly should know the dangers of dehydration, as such low water levels creates a huge amount of stress on your kidneys as it tries its hardest to filter the stuff out.
Have you ever gone on a diet and noticed a sudden drop in weight? Did you know it was due to water weight? How much sodium do you consume per day?
Comments (10)
very important info!! <3
My only real sodium intake is sunflower seeds. Other than that, I try to avoid other foods with high sodium because sunflower seeds have so much.
Well. I may try to avoid high sodium foods now.
UGH. if I don't eat much salt I'll get light headed though. stupid low blood pressure. >.>
I used to flucate constantly, but now after watching my sodium; i havent flucuated in a month. i aim for under 1000mg. i use to eat so mcuh salt. i loved it. not anymore. its not worth the "gain" on the scale. ive also lost 12lbs this month and watching my sodium i think played a part in it, because i wasnt losing that much weight before.
I consume VERY little sodium. I think I might even consume less than what's recommended, lol. I just really don't like salt. My diet is mostly organic and mostly home cooked foods, and that's how I want to keep it. And it'll be a cold day in H*ll when I decide to voluntarily add salt to any dish, lol. I just really don't like it...
I never add salt to my food...I simply do not enjoy the taste of salty food. There are far more better ways to flavor food anyway. I have a low sodium intake...probably much less the 2,400mg the daily recommendation gives.
years ago, i had this crazy notion that if i ate as much as i could, i would magically lose weight because that is what it appeared to look.
but later on i realized that was not the case and that it was definitely my high metabolism at my young and growing age.
now its all bad hahah
i cant lose weight for anything.
to be in more response to your entry, i dont think water and sodium weight counts as weight loss.
if that mattered, id probably go crazy by how little it fluctuates all the time.
i only think i lost weight if i lose at least ten lbs.
I've noticed this recently. I am a fast food addict and have recently tried to quit eating it so much. I see how my weight fluctuates. When I don't have fast food for a long period of time, I'm usually about 5 lbs less than normal. As soon as I scarf down a cheeseburger, I'm 10 lbs more!!! Of course, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point.