Salt, Salt, Salt...help please

[spoiltmom 44]

I have a problem with salt. I crave it constantly. I eat it to the point that's it's very unhealthy especially since I have high blood pressure. Now when I was pregnant with my last baby the craving went completely away and I gave it up no problem. Then when I was about 8 weeks post partum the craving came back with a vengence.

I eat so much salt that I stay swelled up even though I take a Fluid pill every day for my high blood pressure.

I see my family doc tomorrow and I will be talking to her about it but in the meantime any advice for me? The craving is so strong and I just can't get enough salt and then of course I can't get enough Water b/c my mouth is so dry.

[spoiltmom 44]

And I should add that I have hypothyroidism. I currently take Synthroid at 175 mcg a day. Not sure if it's related or not but thought I'd add it in.

[CheckYes 46]

Hi,

I did a search online in Google for "salt craving" and it looks like there are many reasons why you might be craving salt. It could be dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, adrenal overload or your body could be missing some of the other minerals in table salt.

Perhaps see what your doc says. Most of the diagnostics appear to begin with a blood test.

Best wishes,

[jalomum 1]

It goes along with the underactive thyroid thing. Sea salt is better than ordinary salt because of the minerals it contains.

Get your levels checked when you next get a chance.

I hope you work it out.

[jalomum 1]

and talk to your doc...make sure he listens to what you are telling him.

[spoiltmom 44]

Hmm well the docs nurse just called and said I'm on too MUCH Synthroid now. She wants it DECREASED to 125 mcg daily. I still see her tomorrow to discuss it with her.

[BetsyB 9]

Salt cravings very rarely have a biological basis. We crave things that we like. We crave them because we are accustomed to them.

As someone who's given up sugar, caffeine, and all added salt (as well as almost all prepared foods high in sodium), I promise you that if you eliminate the foods, the cravings will vanish.

Sometimes, you just have to tell yourself NO.

If you're a sodium-sensitive hypertensive (and not all high blood pressure does respond to sodium restriction; your doctor will be able to identify if yours does), then it's not just a matter of craving--it's a matter of health.

[gingerjane 5]

As someone who used to never EVER eat salty things (I was a "sweets" person) I realized recently that I was craving saltier things and was trying to figure out the issue. I was missing a few minerals in my diet. A simple Vitamin helped that.

HOWEVER - I do think that avoiding the item (cut out a lot of your salt intake) will help as well. That's what I had to do with sweets and the cravings have subsided tremendously. It was a total pain in the beginning because your body WANTS it, but it pays off in the end. :thumbup:

G