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Water retention

B

bobrobert

Well-Known Member
Messages
417
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
My blood sugar levels have been good for the last few months, rarely going above a reading of 8. Not eating any more than I did but my weight has increased by about 7 kilos. In that time I increased my sodium levels by taking about a teaspoonful of Low Salt per day. This was advice that I had read on the forum. Has anyone else done the same? Could this lead to water retention which leads to weight gain? Otherwise I am at a loss to find a solution to the weight gain.
 
I'm surprised you found advice on this forum to take salt to increase sodium levels; most of us can easily have too much in the food we eat and it has little relevance to blood sugar. Yes, salt intake may affect water retention. I would just focus on a low-carb diet (say, 150gm/day max?) with a good variety of veg, fruit, proteins, nuts and fat and see how you go. If you haven't already got a meter do get one to see how foods affect you.
 
Short answer: yes, salt can affect water retention, but no, it's not going to cause anyone to gain 7kg
 
Daibell said:
I'm surprised you found advice on this forum to take salt to increase sodium levels; most of us can easily have too much in the food we eat and it has little relevance to blood sugar. Yes, salt intake may affect water retention. I would just focus on a low-carb diet (say, 150gm/day max?) with a good variety of veg, fruit, proteins, nuts and fat and see how you go. If you haven't already got a meter do get one to see how foods affect you.
Click to expand...

My carb intake is below 100 grms a day with a good deal of fat and protein.. I went from 15 stone down to 12 stone which I was on for about 18 months but in the last three months the weight increased. No snacks. Eating the same food as I did in the past with little variation. I seem to be bloated hence the the thoughts about too much sodium and water retention. Needless to say I will be stopping the sodium intake to see what happens. I don't want to grow to big for my new wardrobe
 
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