Craving salt may indicate a sodium deficiency, but it’s best to get sodium from natural sources like vegetables and fruits. Cutting back on high-sodium beverages and prepackaged foods can also help reduce cravings and lead to a healthier diet.
A food craving is often the body’s way of letting you know of a nutrient deficiency. A craving for salt, for example, usually means the body is lacking in sodium, which the brain will interpret as a request for a favorite salty food, even if it’s unhealthy. The craving for salt is extremely common; Most people crave salt or sugar, and there are a few ways to overcome these cravings and stop eating unhealthy foods.
A craving for salt can indicate a need to drink more water, so it’s a good first step to try to cut down on sodas or other high-sodium beverages, and try to drink eight glasses of water per day. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to cut back on a high-sodium beverage when you’re craving salt, the truth is that the more salt you eat, the more you’ll want to consume. The next step to stop craving salt is to get sodium from natural sources.
Vegetables, particularly leafy greens and celery, as well as fruits, should provide all the sodium your body needs, and in a much healthier way. Be sure to incorporate servings of fruits and vegetables into each meal to ensure you’re getting your daily sodium requirement. Also, fruits and vegetables are much healthier alternative snacks than salty foods like chips or pretzels.
Another way to stop craving salt is to make additional dietary changes. While prepackaged foods, canned goods, and frozen meals are quick and easy, they’re also loaded with much more sodium than your body needs. When these astronomical amounts of sodium are consumed at each meal, the body begins to crave it more and more, and the taste buds begin to adapt. This means you’ll need to eat even more salt to satisfy your cravings.
Instead of eating prepackaged foods, try cooking recipes at home, using fresh ingredients. Don’t add extra salt once the dish is done. Food in restaurants is also notoriously high in salt, so try to avoid eating as much of it as possible. It’s hard to stop craving salt, but reducing salt in your diet can lead to weight loss, more energy, lower blood pressure, and other benefits that come from a healthy diet. With persistence, it will be possible to stop craving salt and start eating healthy.
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