I get cravings for dark chocolate, for bitter greens (yeah, for real–I crave kale, wilted chard, or collard greens sometimes), and, around that special time of month, salty and sour things (pickle juice is usually my fix of choice, though salted grapefruit or other acidic fruit works OK. I’ve even eaten salted Sour Patch Kids in a pinch.)
But yesterday and today, for whatever reason, I’m craving salt. I’ve actually just gotten done eating a bowl of salted ice cream, had lots of heavily salted veggies, and am about to eat a big bowl of very salted soup. I don’t want anything sour. I just want the salt.
The thing is, I obviously have more than enough sodium in my bloodstream. I’m puffy from all the salt holding onto lots of extra water. I don’t need any more salt. And yet I’m craving it. What the hell, body? Knock it off!
I get weird food cravings too- I’ve had friends and co-workers joke that I’m pregnant (I’m not and never have been). Supposedly food cravings can mean that your body has some sort of vitamin/mineral/whatever deficiency. I think it’s psychological, but who knows. I’ve never asked a medical professional about it. As long as you don’t have pica it’s probably fine.
I would suggest getting some lite salt or NuSalt and using some of that. I find that sometimes I get a strong desire for any salt when really I just need more of a specific electrolyte, usually potassium chloride.
See if lemon juice on things cures the craving; I know it’s a good substitute for that sharp taste we sometimes desire.
Also, though you are holding tons of water weight anyway, drink more water to keep up with the salt and flush it out.
I’ve been craving salt since literally before I was born; my mom passed out so many times carrying me, the doc had her on 5 times the normal dose of extra salt tablets just to keep her upright. Been sucking on boullion cubes ever since, so I hear ya!
Take ice cream, add salt. Pretty easy, actually, and oddly delicious.
Think of the salted caramel flavors (I’ll have to try Salty Pimp–thanks Catherine Zeta!) , or any of the Ben and Jerry’s flavors with pretzels or potato chips.
Oddly enough, just a few days ago., a friend of mine introduced me to McDonald’s french fries with the soft serve vanilla ice cream they sell. Not bad at all.