4 reasons you crave salty foods 4 reasons you crave salty foods

Been itching for some pretzels today? Do you find yourself going full ‘salt bae’ on every steak? Everyone talks about sugar cravings, but what about those of us who dream of pizza instead?

Our modern diets of processed foods and additives mean that even without the french fries, many people get more sodium than they actually need, and this can lead to problems like high blood pressure down the track. But as Advanced Sports Dietitian Lisa Middleton says, salt is an important part of health.

"Optimum sodium levels are critical for our body’s systems to work effectively," Lisa says. "If it is too high, you may experience water retention or an increased risk of high blood pressure. If it is too low, you may find it difficult to stay hydrated. A healthy body has a very sensitive system for keeping blood sodium levels in balance."

So if you’re hankering for extra sodium all the live-long day, here are four possible causes.

1. You haven’t had enough sleep

Studies suggest that lack of sleep increases junk food cravings. While this usually shows up as sugar cravings, if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, you might be yearning for potato chips instead of chocolate. Prioritizing a good night’s sleep can help. Try sleep journaling or a Centr sleep visualization to help.

2. You’ve got a high-salt diet

If you’ve been over-seasoning, or just eating a lot of processed foods, your body may have come to expect a high salt intake. Making a healthy, whole-food switch might come as a bit of a shock to the system. If meals aren’t taking you to flavor town since you cut back on fast and processed foods, don’t worry: you’ll adjust. In the meantime, fresh herbs and lemon juice are a great way to jazz up savory meals without dumping the whole salt shaker on them.

3. They’re stress cravings

For some of us, comfort foods are cake or ice cream. But if your usual comfort is more deep fried or pizza shaped, those salty urges could be a sign you’re over-stressed, and that’s bad news for your health and fitness. If stress is an issue, make time to take stock and address it. If these cravings turn out to be part of something bigger, you might want to seek help from a healthcare professional.

4. You actually need more salt

Very occasionally, a salt craving is your body telling you it needs a sodium boost. Aside from periods of sickness with vomiting and diarrhea, the most common causes of low sodium are very heavy sweating (such as from a hot climate or intense exercise) or not getting enough salt in your diet in the first place. But considering how easy it is to eat too much salt, that last option is fairly unlikely.

Even if you’re a bit low on sodium after a workout, Lisa says you probably don't need an electrolyte drink to replenish.

"Unless you're an endurance athlete or very heavy sweater, a standard sports drink won't be likely to do you much good," Lisa says. "A diet that sits within the healthy sodium guidelines, plus standard forms of hydration such as water, tea, coffee and even soup can all do the job of supporting your body’s sodium-regulating system."

Low sodium is rarely an issue for most people, but if you’re an endurance athlete or a heavy sweater, you may want to talk to an accredited sports dietitian to get the best advice for your needs.