What's a little salt?

I am learning the ropes as they say in the new dietary position. Some of the things I have been learning have actually caused a change in how I look at my own eating habits, at least for now I have been scared healthy.

The first thing I learned was so simple I can't believe I didn't already know it...If you want to weigh 130 lbs you would consume 1300 calories a day, 150 lbs 1500 calories a day, 200 lbs 2000 calories a day, get the picture? It's the weight you want to to be times 10 for the calories is the easiest way to calculate how much you should be eating, if you are not big into exercise.

It's the next thing that really really got me though. Women are always talking about "water weight" and retaining water etc. This is a very real thing. Let me give you an example of something I have now seen. There are several residents in the facility that are on a "NAS" diet (no added salt). My initial thinking was "What's a little salt?" as long as it is not in excess. My initial thinking was waaaay wrong.

I have a patient who has retained so much water it actually seeps through the pores of his legs. His legs are enormous and painful to look at. They are so bloated, red and seeping with water. But that is not the worst of it.

If you are very overweight or have a large amount of water that is being retained you may have experienced some chest pains. It may or may not be due to the excess water constricting around your heart. This condition can be incredibly painful and you might actually think you are on the brink of a heart attack. Yes, excess water constricts your heart and other organs.

These are just a couple of things that I have learned so far but it has been enough to make me look at how to prepare my favorite meals in a healthier lower salt fashion.

This may even be enough to have me give up my favorite Salt & Vinegar chips....