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My dad has been hospitalized three times in the past two years, because of low blood sodium; twice since August 2021.
I live about an hour and a half away from him, and it’s difficult to get to him more than twice a week.
I would really like to begin cooking two different meal’s. Something he could reheat during the week, but I don’t know what types of foods/meal’s are good for low blood sodium.
If anyone has any suggestions, I’d sincerely appreciate your knowledge.

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Processed meats, canned meat like corned beef, luncheon meats, summer sausage, salami, cold cuts etc all are high in sodium, If he can eat bacon, bacon is very salty. Also you can get ham steaks that are easy to reheat and high in salt. Beef jerky is loaded with salt and makes a good high protein snack.

Nuts are loaded with salt and make a great snack.

Pickles, olives, pickled veggies are really high in salt.

Hard cheeses, goat cheese, parm are all full of salt. They make Cheese crisps like a chip and they are high in salt. They are great as a snack. Crackers are high in salt. Chips as well.

Some sports drinks have good salt content.
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Is the underlying cause being treated?

I highly recommend using himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt. They both have minerals and trace minerals that help with all electrolytes. They taste better IMO.

I don't know if there are specific foods for this condition, maybe for the underlying cause.

I would cook what he likes to eat and add more salt. I would also get him some electrolyte beverages. I'm not crazy about Gatorade type bevs, to much sugar but, you can find lots of other options that are tasty without adding lots of sugar. You can put baking soda, just a bit, in water and that adds sodium.

You can get an electrolyte supplement, we like Trace mineral products, specifically electrolyte stamina. We live in the desert southwest and take these products daily, for most of the year, with amazing results. Do not use their beverage additive products, they are rough tasting and not worth the effort to find a tolerable taste. Trust me.

Again, what you will do is really based on why he has this, ie water retention, you don't want to make watery soups, medication, needs a doctors input.

I would ask his doctor for a nutritionist referral, they can help you understand the best way to help your dad through food, beverage and supplements.

Best if luck getting his sodium raised, he must feel dreadful.
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FatherSon252 Dec 2021
Really appreciate your inputs and thoughts.
There is an underlying issue, alcohol, which I believe is the biggest culprit with a lot of his medical issues. I just don’t have the support of my two younger siblings.
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Contact your doctor’s office and ask for a referral for a dietician. Sometimes local grocery stores have them as well, as well as health food stores.

Best to talk to an expert.
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FatherSon252 Dec 2021
Thank you for your thoughts. There are underlying issues, as the other reply questioned.
Contacting his doctor is highest on my list
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Fatherson252, does your dad drink lots of beer?

Adding salt to that could help and it takes the gas out of it. Win/win.
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FatherSon252 Dec 2021
He’s actually an alcoholic, and drinks both liquor and beer.
Thanks for your reply and time.
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It's so hard to help someone who wants to be rescued from the results of their bad choices. Does your dad have a health care proxy/DPOA for health care, etc. Generally that is the only person that the health care system will give any detailed information to, if the patient is not a part of the conversation.
If you aren't able to get detailed info from his MD, salty snacks can be some help.
Repeated low sodium can be a result of other electrolyte imbalances.
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