How Much Sodium Should You Have a Day While Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking is a great way to explore the outdoors and take in the beauty of nature. But with backpacking come special dietary considerations, such as how much sodium you should have in your diet.

Sodium is an essential mineral that helps your body regulate fluid balance and maintains normal nerve and muscle function. Too much sodium can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other health problems.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting dietary sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day for healthy adults. For those with high blood pressure or who are at risk of developing hypertension, the recommendation is even lower at 1,500 milligrams per day.

When backpacking, it’s important to be mindful of your sodium intake. Processed foods like canned soups and pre-made meals often contain large amounts of sodium. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks while on the trail or prepare meals at home with low-sodium ingredients like herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor your food.

It’s also a good idea to bring along some low-sodium snacks for the trail such as nuts, seeds, or whole grain crackers. If you need to add flavor without salt, try using lemon juice or vinegar instead.

It’s also important to stay properly hydrated while backpacking. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out excess sodium from your body. If you find yourself running low on fluids on the trail, consider bringing along electrolyte drinks with minimal added sugar and low sodium content.

Conclusion

When backpacking it’s important to be mindful of your dietary needs.

Aim for no more than 2,300 milligrams of dietary sodium per day (or 1,500 milligrams if you have high blood pressure or are at risk for developing hypertension). Be sure to opt for fresh fruits and vegetables over processed foods when possible and bring along some low-sodium snacks for the trail. Finally, stay properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.