Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below Got a question about packaged turykey and ham. I'm trying like crazy to eat as much as possible so I can bulk up. My problem is my stomach isnt looking like I want it, so I started to slow down on my carb intake at night. So now when I start getting hungry around 8 or 9 pm, I will eat these cheap packaged turkey slices. The thing is, it is way high in sodium. Is this ok or should I stop.
unhealthy meat?
- Thread starter das79
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KIAN
New member
If your computer has sound then turn your speakers up good and loud so you can hear the warning siren in the background. 
Most packaged meats are very high in sodium as it is used as a preserving agent. You also should be aware that some packaged meats are submerged in water under great pressure to force excess water into the meat to produce a greater volume of meat to process and sell. You will see on the label of some products 'Does not contain excess water' for meats which have not undergone this process. You will also find high levels of sodium in canned soups, cheeses, and practically all processed foods and cereals.
Excess sodium intake is linked to hypertension / high blood pressure and heart disease, fluid retention and kidney stones. Sodium also causes the body to excrete calcium which can lead to osteoporosis.
Try to keep your sodium intake to under 2000 mg per day [ one tin of cream of chicken soup contains over 2000 mg of sodium ] but watch for any signs of cramps, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and thirst during intense exercising as they can be a sign of a sodium deficiency.
Best advice is to buy fresh. Fresh meat -- fresh vegetables -- fresh fruit ... and prepare all your meals yourself. It takes a bit more time but is far more healthy in the long run.
Gradually decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure as they both play an important role in how your body functions.
Most packaged meats are very high in sodium as it is used as a preserving agent. You also should be aware that some packaged meats are submerged in water under great pressure to force excess water into the meat to produce a greater volume of meat to process and sell. You will see on the label of some products 'Does not contain excess water' for meats which have not undergone this process. You will also find high levels of sodium in canned soups, cheeses, and practically all processed foods and cereals.
Excess sodium intake is linked to hypertension / high blood pressure and heart disease, fluid retention and kidney stones. Sodium also causes the body to excrete calcium which can lead to osteoporosis.
Try to keep your sodium intake to under 2000 mg per day [ one tin of cream of chicken soup contains over 2000 mg of sodium ] but watch for any signs of cramps, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and thirst during intense exercising as they can be a sign of a sodium deficiency.
Best advice is to buy fresh. Fresh meat -- fresh vegetables -- fresh fruit ... and prepare all your meals yourself. It takes a bit more time but is far more healthy in the long run.
Gradually decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure as they both play an important role in how your body functions.
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KIAN
New member
If you are trying to bulk up without distorting your current physique then you are going to have to eat within your means. If you're putting on weight around your stomach then your nutritional intake is exceeding your caloric expenditure through exercise. There is a well known saying 'Abs on show, muscles won't grow'. You can't bulk and define at the same time but I don't think you are leaning in that direction anyway. Try using a casein based protein as the absorption rate is much slower than whey and it will help you over your cravings but avoid eating too late at night.
I assume you know exactly what your caloric, protein, carb, and fat intake values are on a daily basis so that you can tweak your nutritional and training programs. If not, spend a week writing it all down so that you know where you need to make changes.
I assume you know exactly what your caloric, protein, carb, and fat intake values are on a daily basis so that you can tweak your nutritional and training programs. If not, spend a week writing it all down so that you know where you need to make changes.
thanks a lot for the help bro. You really sound like you know what you are talking about. I will definately lower my sodium intake. I like that saying " abs on show, muscles wont grow". Maybe I should focus more on bulking up right now and not worry about my abs as much. Its just kind of hard to do when you have a girlfriend that gets turned on by rock hard abs. ha ha
KIAN
New member
Thanks for the faith dude but I'm still learning too. You will probably get more advice from the other guys here.
Don't disregard your abs completely. Keep training them as part of your normal workout routine. Just don't be put off by them not shoowing through. If you have ever seen the 'Pros' during their off seasons ... not a 6,4,2 or even a one pac in sight. Concentrate on your nutritional intake and make sure you know exactly what you are consuming on a daily basis so that you can predict your results instead of guessing. Once you get to a weight [mass] which you are comfortable with then you can alter your diet again and adjust your workout to start reducing your body fat and get back your abs.
As to your girlfriend, she can stay at my place while you are bulking. I don't mind.
Don't disregard your abs completely. Keep training them as part of your normal workout routine. Just don't be put off by them not shoowing through. If you have ever seen the 'Pros' during their off seasons ... not a 6,4,2 or even a one pac in sight. Concentrate on your nutritional intake and make sure you know exactly what you are consuming on a daily basis so that you can predict your results instead of guessing. Once you get to a weight [mass] which you are comfortable with then you can alter your diet again and adjust your workout to start reducing your body fat and get back your abs.
As to your girlfriend, she can stay at my place while you are bulking. I don't mind.
High sodium CAN lead to hypertension and heart problems but thats only if you're sodium sensitive. Sodium sensitivity is very rare in the general population so sodium levels are one thing that you really dont have to worry about. Athletes need a higher sodium intake than sedentary folks for electrolyte balance. These are from more recent studies btw.
I heard the FDA is changing the sodium intake limits.
edit: Asians take in about 20-30grams of sodium a day average
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I heard the FDA is changing the sodium intake limits.
edit: Asians take in about 20-30grams of sodium a day average
.
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KIAN
New member
The FDA [Federal Department of Agriculture] in America has set a recommended sodium intake of 2300 mg per day. A lawsuit against the FDA by the Centre for Science in the Public Interest [CSPI] is currently in progress to force the FDA to list sodium as a 'food additive' so that it's use in all foods can be regulated. The reason for this is that the average sodium intake for an adult American is 4000 to 6000 mg per day.
Some people are more susceptible to the effects of sodium than others, and sodium sensitivity appears to increase with age but there is no test, currently, to determine this and that is why a diet low in sodium is advised.
Some people are more susceptible to the effects of sodium than others, and sodium sensitivity appears to increase with age but there is no test, currently, to determine this and that is why a diet low in sodium is advised.
IMHO. sodium is NOT such a big issue
If you're young (meaning under 40), healthy (w/o hypertension, diabete,....) and drink plenty of water, there is no need to limit your Na intake
Personnaly I've tried the very little sodium diet for months then switch to a high sodium diet w/o any visible change
My food taste better noe and I'm not bloated, not even water retention
Don't forget that we lose a lot of sodium in sweat
If you're young (meaning under 40), healthy (w/o hypertension, diabete,....) and drink plenty of water, there is no need to limit your Na intake
Personnaly I've tried the very little sodium diet for months then switch to a high sodium diet w/o any visible change
My food taste better noe and I'm not bloated, not even water retention
Don't forget that we lose a lot of sodium in sweat
I avoid eating large quantities of processed meats because they're full of chemicals, e.g. sodium nitrite, that many nutrition experts consider dangerous. I'd suggest buying fresh meats in bulk, cooking up large batches and freezing individual portions. Then you just pop 'em in the microwave for a couple of minutes and are ready to go. Tastes better, too!
