Why does nobody talk about how much salt you lose in a 12 hour shift?

I was reading through some old restaurant industry health studies and found out chefs can sweat out over 3 grams of sodium in a single busy service. Has anyone else dealt with brutal leg cramps after a friday night rush?

3 comments

3 Comments

brian_rivera5922d agoMost Upvoted

3 grams of sodium sounds like a lot but I read somewhere that a full shift of running around can actually drop your sodium levels by 10 to 15 percent if you're not careful. Have you ever tried adding a salt packet to your water during a shift? I used to get those leg cramps so bad I couldn't stand straight after Saturday brunch. Did the cramps feel more like a sharp grab or a deep ache that lasts for hours?

seth68322d ago

That sharp grab cramp is exactly what I used to get, usually in my calf right as I was trying to fall asleep. Did yours ever hit during the shift itself, or only after you sat down and cooled off? I'm curious if the timing tells you anything about whether it's sodium or something else like potassium.

lisaf3812d ago

Oh yes, I remember reading something from a nurse who said the same thing, that night cramps are often from low magnesium, not sodium or potassium like everyone assumes. Might be worth looking into, I know I started taking a small magnesium supplement before bed and it helped a lot.