High Sodium Snacks for POTS

If you’re someone who suffers from POTS Syndrome then you know all about salt life.  No, we are not talking about the beach apparel company you see advertised on the bumpers of vacationers.  We mean actual salt and sodium.

POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.  It is an autoimmune disease characterized by a group of symptoms including fatigue, fainting, high heart rates, temperature regulation issues, and more.  Most commonly affecting women, it is managed by increasing salt intake.  The Cleveland Clinic recommends that patients with POTS have a salt intake of 3,000mg-10,00mg of sodium daily!

How do you achieve those numbers?  A POTS Survival Kit that includes high salt snacks!  We’ve made a list of items that would be good to keep on hand along.  We also included their average sodium content per serving.

Salty Snacks

• Pickle Juice Shots - Sodium:  Approximately 154mg
• Dry Roasted Peanuts - Sodium:  150mg
• V8 Vegetable Juice - Sodium: 650mg
• Lays Classic - Sodium:  170mg
• Cheez Its - Sodium: 230mg
• Goldfish Pretzels - Sodium:  280mg
• Dukes Beef Jerky - Original - Sodium: 410mg
• Sliced Pepperoni - Sodium: 520mg
• David’s Original Sunflower Seeds - Sodium:  2560mg
• Act II Popcorn - Sodium:  350mg

In general, things like crackers, chips, and popcorn are very high in sodium content.

POTS Patients Chronically Dehydrated

People with POTS often have low blood volume as a result of not being able to keep up hydration levels.  They’re chronically dehydrated.  The Cleveland Clinic recommends for people with POTS to increase their fluid intake to 2-2.5 liters daily.  The best way to ensure you’re not only getting enough water but also electrolytes is by using a medical grade electrolyte.  

Managing POTS with a Medical Grade Electrolyte

There is a difference between drinking, say, sports drinks or coconut water versus using a medical grade electrolyte like NormaLyte.  If you don’t believe us, listen to your body.  It may be telling you if you could just listen closely enough.  Hydration isn’t just guzzling water and hoping it sticks.  It’s also not just eating (or drinking) a ton of salt hoping to retain the fluid.  It’s an exact science.

The WHO has developed a specific formula for oral rehydration.  In fact, it is proven to prevent the need for IV therapy by 33% and has been shown to be more effective than IV therapy alone.  Our bodies need a specific amount of sugar, salt, and water to effectively stay hydrated.  NormaLyte uses the formula outlined by the WHO.

NormaLyte is also considered medical grade; something that the popular rehydration brands can’t say.  That means you can be sure that you’re getting exactly what your body needs when you’re going through a flare.  It also means you’re able to use your HSA or FSA to purchase NormaLyte through your health insurance. 

If you haven’t tried NormaLyte, consider getting a free sample today!