Saltwater to control hunger = major period bloat

I read online that adding a pinch of sea salt to your water does wonders to control hunger when fasting. It definitely does and I started to add salt to all the water I drank. (3-4 large mason jars of water daily) Things were going really well…until I got my period. I have never had so much water weight bloat. I went up 7 pounds from one day to the next. 🤣 I’m laughing, because it seems like such an obvious mistake in hindsight. I feel like a balloon that might burst if I scratch myself on something. I can see the humour in all this because I know that after my period the water weight will vanish, but right now I feel silly and quite uncomfortable. I’d like to avoid going through this again if I can. To my fellow female fasters. Do you add salt to your water when fasting? If so, when and how much? I live in a hot climate and drink a lot of water each day. How do I structure things so I don’t gain this much water weight the next time around? 🎈

Answer

Yeah, so too much salt (sodium) is NOT good for you and it does make you bloated AF.

Water will curb hunger, no need for added salt. What salt does is help with general hydration because sodium is one of the necessary electrolytes and dehydration is a common issue for people doing IF. You can have a pinch of salt (preferably pink) now and then if you’re deficient in electrolytes, but that’s it. If you’re not, then forget it, you get enough sodium with your food. Probably too much, even, if you’re like me :)

Answer

I do not add salt to my water. I don’t find that drinking water, salty or not, helps with hunger (it actually makes it worse for me). I take electrolytes or a sip of pickle juice if I’m feeling like I need it. And I find that the week before my period, I need electrolytes even less than usual. Drink lots of green tea and coffee to reduce the bloating. Both are diuretic.

Answer

I cannot drink salt water, at all. 🤢 I put a little bit on my hand and then lick it, like salt with a Tequila. But down it with water. 🤣

I do this two of three times a day, three times just when I’m exercising during a fast. It helps me against headaches, weakness and also keeps the hunger away a bit. When I don’t do this, I am loose a lot of water during fasting, and gain it back immediately afterwards. 🤷 Just avoiding this up and down. When you are bloated during your period: just reduce the amount!