057 sodium challenge

As an aspiring pharmacist, I plan to lead a healthy lifestyle incorporating exercise, healthy food, and limiting bad habits. I feel it is important to practice what I preach. When I tell my future patients "Have you thought about quitting smoking?" "Don't forget to exercise," "It is important to eat/drink less sugar/caffeine," etc, I best be doing the same.

One of the interns that I work with at CVS asked me if I have heard of the sodium challenge. I told her "No." and asked her to explain to me what it is. In one of her pharmacy classes, the professor explained to the class that as a health practitioner, we tell our patients to lead healthy lifestyles along with their medication. We recommend life style changes such as exercising more, limiting caffeine, fatty foods, and sodium intake. It's easier said than done.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy adult should consume no more than 2.3 g of sodium. The less the better. My friend's professor challenged the class to consume no more than 2 g of sodium every day for one week. When my friend described this challenge I thought in my head, "PIECE OF sodium-free CAKE!" So I went ahead and did the challenge and finished last Monday. I haven't had the opportunity to write about this experience until now though.

OH. MY. GOODNESS. The first few days were extremely challenging because it seemed about everything in my pantry had about a block of salt in it. I remember feeling faint and famished for the first few days because I didn't know what I could eat! But as I did a little more research into the sorts of food I should be eating and with the help of calorie count, the week got progressively easier. Less salt does not mean less food.

Overall, it was a very challenging week for me but I am glad I was able to experience what some people have to be concerned about everyday of their lives within that one week. I feel for you my future renal-failure patients and I hope that when I am consulting you in the future, I will be able to empathize with you. You're not in it alone. We never are. And if you don't have ideas for low-sodium meals, I'll be able to help you. :o) Live long and prosper.