Help! I’m so puffy and bloated

Q:

Ever since I started a new exercise program, I’ve been holding on to extra water weight. I tried cutting back on salt, but the swollen belly and ankles got worse, not better. What gives?

A:

It sounds like you might need more salt. During exercise (as well as on warm days), the body can lose a lot of sodium through perspiration. And if levels of this mineral aren’t replenished, risk of bloat, fatigue, fog and headaches increases. That’s because sodium plays a key role in regulating cellular fluid levels and supporting the function of muscle and nerve cells.

The easy fix: Consume 2,000 to 2,400 mg of sodium per day—that’s the amount in 1 tsp. of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. These unrefined salts contain more than 90 beneficial minerals (including calcium, magnesium and potassium) that ward off fluid retention, tiredness and stress. (Women with hypertension or other health concerns should check with a doctor for their salt sweet spot.)