The necessity of salt

ETA: I wanted to be clear that my retreat center did not tell me to eliminate all salt. In fact, their preparation diet is quite lax compared to most others I've seen. However, I overthink things and over prepare, and so did a combination of stricter diets thinking it would be "better." It was not :) They did recommended salt, sugar, and oil in moderation, but not to eliminate it. That was just what I read doing my own research of other prep plans. The only "no nos" a week before were spicy foods, pork, red meat, alcohol, drugs, and heavily processed food. Basically, a light, healthy diet, focusing on plants. I got low blood pressure bc I ate such little salt for so long and have had a lot of loose stools and have been chugging water. If I'd followed the diet the center gave me, I would have been fine.

I'm currently at a retreat for 3 weeks (today is our day "off" and we have wifi access to check in w families etc) and I wanted to share my experience quickly. I know many of us are following strict dietas which limit or eliminate salt. However, salt is an essential element and not getting enough can be dangerous. After a daytime ceremony (we started at 9am) I tried to eat lunch around 2 but couldn't. Then at dinner I tried again and had a terrible reaction. I only had 3 bites before I broke out into a sweat and felt pins and needles all over my body and knew I had to run to the bathroom (I found my purging doesn't involve vomiting but definitely involves coming out the other end). As I went to stand up, my legs started convulsing and I almost passed out. Everyone wanted me to lay down there but I had to get to a bathroom. I made it, and then collapsed in bed.

The next morning I grabbed a packet of rehydration salts/electrolytes, tossed it in water and chugged. Almost immediately I felt better. I had another later in the day and all was right with the world. I am now taking one every morning.

Moral of the story is - too little salt can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Yes, limiting added salt in processed foods is a good thing, but our bodies need some salt to survive. When you are eating limited calories, limited salt, purging out both ends, and trying to stay hydrated drinking only water, you run the risk of throwing your electrolyte balance off. So just my advice based on my limited experience, don't eliminate all salt, bring electrolytes with you (I love LMNT personally), and don't worry so much about the diet. I followed mine pretty strict (no oil, no salt, no dairy, nothing fermented, no sugar, only chicken with no skin and fish etc) and at the retreat we have had chicken with skin on, olive oil on the table, avocados, onions, and rehydration salts available. I'm not saying ignore the diet, but know that what you are eating at home is likely more strict than what you will be eating at the retreat.

YMMV