cravings

[beth]

so i switched my diet up - i eat lots of veggies, whole grains, fiber, etc.. keep tabs on sodium intake and sugar. ive been pretty good about it for a while now, but recently ive been getting crazy cravings for salty stuff..

i try not to deny myself completely of the things i like and treat myself once in a while, or perhaps find a healthier version of what i want. however, lately i have found that if i allow myself to have a snack like goldfish crackers or something remotely salty, my appetite kicks into overdrive and i'm hungrier than i was before.

any ideas on how to curb cravings like that? are there alternative foods that satisfy salt cravings?

[EmmaK]

just an idea, but it could be your body giving you a legitimate sign that it needs more salt? or perhaps you're dehydrated.

not sure how to curb cravings though...(other than stupidly unhealthy ways)

[BuzzCat]

Usually when you crave salt, you actually need it. 1. Make sure you're drinking enough water, 2. Have a gatorade or two. You can go too low sodium.

[beth]

just an idea, but it could be your body giving you a legitimate sign that it needs more salt? or perhaps you're dehydrated.

not sure how to curb cravings though...(other than stupidly unhealthy ways)

i thought about that. i didnt have these cravings before when i was just eating right, but now that ive been working out regularly for the past month or so is when i have begun to notice it. perhaps i am not taking in enough salt, or maybe i'm not eating enough?

i drink lots of water, so i dont think its dehydration..

[Jenni XO]

When I crave something salty or sweet, I just go for it. ..as guilty as it makes me feel.

Usually when it comes to salty stuff, I agree with the other girls, your body probably actually needs the salt.

It's better to indulge when you're having the craving anyway. If you put it off, and cave in later, there's always the chance of overdoing it and completely binging [which I did today.. so kicking the diet into high gear tomorrow].

[badkitty3804]

Just get something that satisfies the craving, but rather than gorge on a bag of potato chips, find a more healthy one like lightly salted nuts or pita chips.

I have terrible cravings for sweets or the 'sugar shakes' when I'm out running around a lot, so I keep fruit leathers in my purse.

[5l1mm]

types,deletes
everythings been prettymuch said.
i got nothin

[EmmaK]

Another idea is salted pretzels. If it turns out you're just having a taste-craving (not that your body is going nuts for needing salt), you could get flavored or just regular salted pretzels and suck the salt/flavor off, without eating the pretzel.

Yeah, I know that sounds kind of gross.

[Shawn_E]

i thought about that. i didnt have these cravings before when i was just eating right, but now that ive been working out regularly for the past month or so is when i have begun to notice it. perhaps i am not taking in enough salt, or maybe i'm not eating enough?

i drink lots of water, so i dont think its dehydration..


Yep, you need more salt, you are washing out your electrolytes, so a few gatorades through your workouts might quiet this craving. A salt craving is a true sign that your body is telling you it needs the salt, where as sugar/carb cravings is due to the conditioning from the womb till now regarding sweets.

[Bioteknik]

easy way to tell if you really need the salt.. is your sweat salty or not?

[Shawn_E]

easy way to tell if you really need the salt.. is your sweat salty or not?


You taste your own sweat :drool: :goawaymarcus: :FUBAR:

[Funshine]

Another idea is salted pretzels. If it turns out you're just having a taste-craving (not that your body is going nuts for needing salt), you could get flavored or just regular salted pretzels and suck the salt/flavor off, without eating the pretzel.

Yeah, I know that sounds kind of gross.
Not really.... I almost always scrape off the salt from pretzels before I eat them (I hate the taste of salt like that), so it doesn't sound too weird to do the opposite :D

[PotBelly]

next time someone at work bothers me I'm going to tell them to go suck a pretzel.

[ramz]

people that eat a lot of processed foods are basically inundated with sodium without realizing it... I think a lot of this has to do with the way many of us were raised, with the primary cook salting things and us getting in the habit of post-salting at the table... As has been mentioned, a craving is actually a pretty good sign that you actually need that thing...or, rather, that your body thinks it needs that thing based on prior conditioning. The best advice I can offer is to really closely monitor your sodium intake and to ween yourself off over time. Clearly you need SOME sodium in your diet, but you definitely don't need the cubic fuck ton that most Americans pour down their throat every day...

[ramz]

Another idea is salted pretzels. If it turns out you're just having a taste-craving (not that your body is going nuts for needing salt), you could get flavored or just regular salted pretzels and suck the salt/flavor off, without eating the pretzel.

Yeah, I know that sounds kind of gross.
or you could just get a salt lick... :wink:

actually, I find that most "taste cravings" as you call them can be easily quelled by simply popping a piece of gum in your mouth... I'm an almost compulsive gum chewer and just by cleansing the palette, I get good results that kill those kinds of cravings...

[FutonBunny]

I have no idea if the body correlates this or not but maybe you need more iron? I know that table salt is fortified with it these days.

Or atleast I think it's iron :ponder:

[Funshine]

Iodine.

[imabagel]

As has been mentioned, a craving is actually a pretty good sign that you actually need that thing...or, rather, that your body thinks it needs that thing based on prior conditioning.

so, does that mean salt is like crack? or vice versa?

[FutonBunny]

Iodine.

:doh:

I knew it was something that started with an I.

[ramz]

so, does that mean salt is like crack? or vice versa?
you can condition your body to "need" almost anything over time... crack, cigarettes, megumi's boobs, salt...

[Bioteknik]

You taste your own sweat :drool: :goawaymarcus: :FUBAR:

Kind of hard not to when you're covered in it... It's not like I lick my arm or anything, but most people do lick their upper lip from time to time.

[Neptune]

yea, sweating means you lose a LOT of salt. you need to up your salt intake if you plan on sweating a lot (at the gym, ect) salt tablets can help a lot. i know when i have been on long hikes or extreme conditions in general, i start my day with some salt tablets. it helps your body not sweat as much out when you are pounding liters of water.