Trouble finding food to reach targets Topic


Hello, I have been using MND Max for about three weeks, and just absolutely LOVE it! Best app out there by far, however, I am trying to follow the Auto Pilot recommendations on macro nutrients PLUS keeping my sodium level down to under 2000mg.

With a calorie budget of 1,885 (already taking into account exercises 3 times a week at 700 calories each) and a sodium level at 2,000 (actually should be 1,500 as I am 50+), i can't seem to find food that fits in these targets very well.

I can either hit my calories and blow the sodium, or hit the sodium.and be 800+ calories under.

I have been trying to follow the Mayo Clinit DASH diet, but it too seems to focus on low calorie as well as low salt. I think I need high calorie low sodium diet, but that seems to be pretty difficult to find.

Any suggestions?

Also, if MND could come up with recipe recommendations that fit within your targets, that would be an AMAZING and MOST WELCOME feature.

Until then, I seem to be stuck playing food Sherlock.


Keep up the great work MND!


Hello Neothane,

We appreciate your positive feedback and thank you for your question. Yes, it can be challenging to meet all of the targets (calories, sodium) but I would recommned making this a learning opportunity where you continue to fine tune your eating plan to get to your targets over time. That way you will focus on food choices and an eating style that fits your style.

I will tell you that the different health organizations all have different guidelines for upper recommended sodium intake. 1500 mg sodium per day is very strict and hard to achieve unless you cook from scratch. Is your blood pressure controlled on 2000 mg per day? 1500 mg per day is usually reserved for people who have extremely high blood pressure or perhaps severe kidney disease. Here are some links to help you understand sodium goals and how it is important to look at other nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium that influence blood pressure in a positive way.

Joanna included some links in this first article for additional quality resources on the DASH diet (recipes, menus, etc):

https://www.mynetdiary.com/the-dash-diet.html

Here is article on sodium topic with tips for lowering intake:
https://www.mynetdiary.com/sodium-yes-it-s-a-big-deal.html

And finally, I have found this booklet for the Natl Institutes of Heatlh to be useful for people looking for menu ideas. They have guidelines for # of servings per day for various calorie levels including 1600 and 2000 calories per day. At end, they also have menus for 2000 calories per day. You could cut out one grain serving, one fruit, and one fat to get down to 1800 calories per day or adjust per your own preferences.

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/new_dash.pdf

If you go into these articles, you will find addiltional resources on DASH diet. There is a lot of quality DASH info out there! You might want to continue exploring and tweeking your eating plan.

Hope this helps! Brenda (Dietitian, MyNetDIary)


Brenda,

Yes, very helpful!

No, I do not have high blood pressure (111/73 few mins ago), although I have seen it at times on the upper limits of normal, even beyond sometimes. The 1500mg/day I actually from your software. When I log my foods and click on Sodium, it says that people over 50 should be at 1500. My doctor mentioned I should try to stay below 2000 as a general healthy goal.

Thank you for the links. It takes a lot of work to be diligent about staying within targets, but it is good to know that MND (unlike any others I have found) allows for consumers to be more educated on what they eat. I discovered to my surprise how much sodium is in rotisserie chicken (2,700+ for just a leg and thigh)!! I knew they had some seasonings on it, but to the extent was quite shocking.

Boy, if MND could do a recipe search of foods that fit in your diet (and then narrow as you add foods), that would help tremendously. At least I could try to swap out things and see if they work before a lot of trial and error.

Anyway, once again, thank you for your links. I will check them out and see if I can get a better handle on foods.


Hi Neothane- How's it going crafting a DASH diet meal plan? Do you have additional questions at this point? We are happy to help! Best, Joanna (Dietician)


Well, it is going OK, but I am spending way too much time finding foods and seeing what works and what doesn't.

Funny story, I went into our neighborhood Sprouts with the idea that I could find better things to eat than in a standard grocery store. I had a list of things that I planned to make and what to buy, but after looking at the nutrients of the items (and several hours later) I came out with almost nothing that I had planned on (other than just some fresh veggies).

I had to start all over again. :(

Well, still learning...but not easy.


BTW: You mentioned that 1500mg of sodium is very low and is for extremely high blood pressure. Why does MND constantly remind me that at over 50, it should be 1500 or less per day? I don't even have anything in my profile which says I have high blood pressure.


Hi Neothane- Dialing in a new meal plan can take time and energy for sure! I sense your trip to Sprouts was more time and energy than you'd anticipated. It gets easier for sure! A for a sodium guideline I would encourage you to follow the recommendation of your personal doctor. You can alter your sodium nutrient target in the app by going to PLAN, nutrient targets, sodium targets. You will then be able to modify what you'd like your sodium target (ie: 2000 mg/day) to be. Thus you won't get the annoying messages that you have gone over. Also, I am not sure you are aware, but Brenda suggested a link from the NHLBI website. On page 36 there is a menu, to give you specifics on what to eat when following a DASH diet. Let us know if other questions remain. All the best, Joanna (Dietician)

Trouble finding food to reach targets