Craving salt like WHOA!

clala82 · June 2011

Does anyone else have insane cravings for salty food? Mine are so intense that if I even think about a pickle at work in the afternoon, I know I'm going to have to stop at a convenience store on the way home to get one of those pickles in a bag. My cravings are especially for anything pickled. I love salty, vinegary things like dill pickles, pickled okra, pickled Italian vegetables, etc. I also crave brothy soups, no cream-based soups.

The good thing is most of the salty things I crave are low calorie and low fat. However, the sodium is absolutely astronomical! I do drink a TON of water (approx 24 cups a day), so that helps flush my system a bit.

Any suggestions on how to satisfy my salt craving in a healthier way? What do you eat to satisfy your "salt tooth"? Thanks.

P.S. No, I'm not pregnant.

shiseido_faerie · June 2011

You know what helped me...slices of cucumbers in vinegar. I just swish them around in some vinegar before work and then toss them in a container. Seems to do the trick.

acakeforawife · June 2011

You seriously drink 24 cups of water a day? That isn't a typo? If so then you are probably flushing your body of TOO MUCH of the salt it needs. This happens to athletes too, that's why drinks like Gatorade actually have sodium in them. You could try some of those (There's the "Zero" version that has very few calories). Bottom line though, I think you NEED the sodium.

SarahofTwins · June 2011

You know what helped me...slices of cucumbers in vinegar. I just swish them around in some vinegar before work and then toss them in a container. Seems to do the trick.

I will definitely have to do that since I

Vinegar lol. Ugh I miss my salt n vinegar chips....:brokenheart:

stronglikebull · June 2011

You seriously drink 24 cups of water a day? That isn't a typo? If so then you are probably flushing your body of TOO MUCH of the salt it needs. This happens to athletes too, that's why drinks like Gatorade actually have sodium in them. You could try some of those (There's the "Zero" version that has very few calories). Bottom line though, I think you NEED the sodium.

yep. if you're craving it that badly chances are your body is asking you to give some back.

briabner · June 2011

I know this sounds weird but you might be drinking too much water and thats why you are thirsty. There is a small thershhold as to enough water and then too much water and it varies for every person. You might want try to cut your water in half or maybe try like 16 cups and see if this makes a difference. You very well could be craving salty things because you have drank too much water and flushed out alot of sodium in your body that you need to function. You can actually die from drinking too much water and very minimally can cause an electrolite imbalance.

Cut your water intake down and see if this helps

karensoxfan · June 2011

I crave salt a lot too & rarely bloat, although I don't drink anywhere NEAR 24 cups of water daily. You might be drinking too much water. I'd ask your Dr. about it, b/c I think at some point it can interfere with your kidney function.

To avoid the cravings though, could you chew minty gum to get you through them, so you won't want the salty vinegar taste in your mouth? Or when you're home, brush your teeth when the craving hits?

bcattoes · June 2011

24 cups of water a day? Is that even healthy? How much do you work out? Besides running to the bathroom, I mean.

husker_gal · June 2011

I LOVE salty foods especially pickles and olives! yummm

I did just read a study that said higher salt amounts are ok IF you are working out a lot because you sweat some of the excess out. I give into my salt cravings every couple of days. I just make sure that I drink lots of water to balance it out and to go a few days in between each salt fix.

ajfranzen77 · June 2011

First, WOW on the water intake!!! Be careful to much water isn't good for your body either, there are articles on the net about it. People have died from drinking to much water. So please be careful!!! Like someone else said you prob need the salt and the strong cravings are because your body needs it. I also crave salt, sometimes. I usually eat a few olives or a pickle and that does the trick. If your blood pressure isn't high than a few salty things a day won't hurt. Good Luck and again check your water intake.

husker_gal · June 2011

You seriously drink 24 cups of water a day? That isn't a typo? If so then you are probably flushing your body of TOO MUCH of the salt it needs. This happens to athletes too, that's why drinks like Gatorade actually have sodium in them. You could try some of those (There's the "Zero" version that has very few calories). Bottom line though, I think you NEED the sodium.

yep. if you're craving it that badly chances are your body is asking you to give some back.

it's probably BEGGING if you are drinking 24 cups. You have to be very careful with that much because it can flush out the potassium in your system too which can cause heart failuer and seizures.

clala82 · June 2011

Well, THAT'S embarrassing. I did have a typo. I meant 14 cups of water. However, that's still almost twice as much as the recommended 8 cups a day. Part of my thirst is due to a medication I'm on and my insulin resistance. I get regular bloodwork done to check my levels and kidney function, etc. Thanks for the advice/concern, though. It's a good thing I like good ol' plain water! I agree with you all that perhaps my salt cravings are due to the fact that my body is craving the salt to replace what all the water has flushed out. So I'm not going to worrry about it. And I'm definitely going to try the cucumbers in vinegar thing...at least that will reduce the salt intake.

Craving salt like WHOA!

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