Salty Cravings: What They Mean & What to Eat

Why Am I Craving Salt?

Salty cravings can be triggered by a few different things:

• Dehydration: When you're dehydrated, your body craves salt to encourage you to drink more water. It's a primal survival instinct.
• Stress: High-stress levels can make you crave "comfort foods," and for many people, that means salty, crunchy snacks. It's a form of emotional eating.
• Boredom: Sometimes, a craving is just your brain looking for a quick hit of dopamine. Salty snacks are an easy way to get it.
• Habit: If you're used to having a salty snack at a certain time of day, your body will start to expect it.

15 Quick & Easy Ways to Satisfy a Salt Craving

Here are some ideas that go beyond just opening a bag of chips.

1. Garlic Parmesan Popcorn: Air-pop some popcorn and toss it with melted butter, garlic powder, and grated parmesan cheese.
2. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas: Drain a can of chickpeas, pat them dry, toss with olive oil and spices, and roast at 400°F (200°C) until crispy.
3. Everything Bagel Avocado: Cut an avocado in half, remove the pit, and sprinkle it generously with Everything Bagel Seasoning.
4. Edamame with Sea Salt: A classic for a reason. Boil or steam some frozen edamame and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
5. "Cheater's" Cacio e Pepe: Pasta tossed with a ton of black pepper and parmesan or pecorino cheese. Use the starchy pasta water to make it creamy.
6. Quick Pickled Veggies: Slice up some cucumbers or carrots and let them sit in a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, and a pinch of sugar for 10 minutes.
7. Salty-Sweet Trail Mix: Combine pretzels, nuts, a few chocolate chips, and some dried fruit.
8. Whipped Feta Dip: Blend feta cheese with a little olive oil and Greek yogurt until smooth. Serve with pita or veggies.
9. A Single Slice of Fried Spam: Pan-fry a slice of Spam until it's crispy and caramelized. It's a salt bomb in the best way.
10. Salt and Vinegar Potatoes: Boil baby potatoes until tender, smash them, then roast with olive oil, salt, and a splash of vinegar until crispy.
11. Miso Butter Noodles: Toss cooked noodles with a mixture of melted butter and a spoonful of miso paste.
12. A Perfect Soft Pretzel: If you can find a good frozen one, it's the ultimate salty craving satisfier.
13. Queso Fundido: Melted cheese with chorizo or peppers. Scoop it up with tortilla chips.
14. Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl: Top cottage cheese with olive oil, black pepper, and sliced tomatoes.
15. Just a Pickle: Sometimes, the simplest answer is the right one.

Final Thoughts

Cravings are your body's way of communicating. Listening to a salt craving doesn't have to mean reaching for the unhealthiest option. With a little creativity, you can satisfy that savory urge with meals and snacks that are both delicious and balanced.