Why Do I Have Salt Cravings?

There are several different reasons why you may be craving salt. The first one is that over the years your body and your taste buds have been accustomed to a lot of salt. If you are trying to cut back on salt because of health reasons, your body will crave it, simply because it is used to lots of salt.

Craving salty foods can also be a symptom of adrenal exhaustion, especially in people who live fast-paced, stressful lives.

You could also be craving salt because your body needs the additional minerals found in natural salt. These minerals have been filtered out of our regular table salt. In this case eating salty food will only satisfy your craving temporarily until your body realizes it is still missing the extra minerals.

Is Salt Really Dangerous Or Addictive?

The average American has a salt intake of about 15 pounds a year. This much salt can cause high blood pressure and hypertension. The excess sodium also leaches a lot of calcium out of your bones, which over time can lead to osteoporosis.

Your body needs approximately 500 mg of salt a day. If you are an athlete or work hard physically, and sweat a lot, you will need more. The FDA’s recommended daily salt intake is 2,500 mg a day for the average adult. Most North Americans’ daily salt intake is over 5,000 mg. This is the processed, white, refined sodium chloride, which is toxic to our bodies.

Salt cravings have also been linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sickle cell anemia. If you find yourself craving a lot of salt all of a sudden, it may be a good idea to schedule a physical. Be sure to mention your salt cravings to your physician, so he or she can administer appropriate tests for the conditions mentioned above.

What Can I Do To Curb My Salt Cravings?

If you are craving salt as a result of being accustomed to consuming a lot of salt with your foods or enjoying lots of salty foods like potato chips, salted nuts etc., then slowly cut back on your salt intake and replace it with herbs and spices to give you lots of flavor without the salt. An excellent way to get the salt taste you crave as well as 84 necessary minerals is to use Himalayan Salt Crystals.

If stress and adrenal exhaustion are causing your salt cravings, try eating food that are high in Vitamin C and Potassium.

Foods High In Vitamin C – Citrus, Pepper, Broccoli

Foods High In Potassium – Apricots, Bran Wheat, Raisins, Figs, and Baked Potato With Skin

If you are craving salt, or just consuming a lot of salt each day, start cutting back on your salt intake. Opt for low sodium versions of foods and condiments. Start paying attention to the amount of salt in certain food. Take a look at a bread label. You’ll be surprised how much salt is in a single slice of bread.

Replace some processed foods with fresh fruits and vegetables and season your dishes with herbs and spices. Stick with it and after a while you won’t miss the salt and will be feeling better.

Diana Walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/why-do-i-have-salt-cravings-80653.html