Help! Craving salt

[dewing]

I've been trying to do raw for 2-1/2 months. My current challenge is craving salt. Last night I caved :( and binged on potato chips and hot dogs :( . I know it has to be the salt or maybe preservatives. Any advice would be appreciated!

[pomegranatebliss]

Do you have green smoothies as part of your diet? Victoria Boutenko recommends fresh celery to combat salt cravings. I've had some relief when I add a celery stalk to my green smoothies. I don't like celery, so I have to hide it in there, but if you do, maybe try eating some fresh celery.

[DavidZaneMason]

Opinion:

-If it's JUST a salt thing - then it's far better to salt the crap out of fresh, raw plant food....then it is to go crazy on crap! LOL. No need to go extreme! :)

-Somewhere between going compulsive on crap.....and eating very miniscule amounts of raw....you will find the conscious level that is right for you!

-There are several vegetables (like celery) that already contain significant sodium. I'm sure the wonderful folks on this board can list them for you.

-Power & Success to you!

-David Mason

[Coriander74]

You can juice some celery, or have some with raw almond butter on it,
or you can do what I do and put a few grains of salt on your tongue and let it dissolve.

[eachpeachpearplum]

Yes I find that I wanted to attack a bag of popcorn when I had this feeling but I know try to narrow down if its a "sugar, salt, creamy" etc feeling at can put the correct raw food to the issue.

Espcially for salt I either put my finger in the wonderful salt I have or a pop a few olives. The dried salty black one's really do the trick for me!

[Gosia]

From my experience, cravings (strong, over-powering urge) are always the sign of detox. After combating various cooked food addictions (bread, for example), my last one has been salt. The tips for fighting any of the addictions as well as the cravings:
* stay all-raw
* eat only simple foods (spices makes things harder)
* eat lots of juicy fruit (speeds up the cleansing process)
* (water) fast, if you can
Hint: The first week or two of cravings is hard, but after that, things will get much easier.

Gosia

PS In my view, the craved food should be avoided, or the detox will be hindered. Only healthy appetite (as opposed to extreme urge) for fresh fruit/vegies that we find tasty at the moment, is a good guide in choosing what to eat.

[Naiad]

Try adding my beloved combo of macadamia nut oil and celtic sea salt to your fresh salads, especially kale (somehow the combination of the oil and salt with the kale is absolutely divine.)

I have no salt cravings whatsoever and my salads are healthy and satisfying.

I know I keep drumming the mac nut and salt combo up, but, it really is THAT good. I would never have known if I hadn't read Sarma's love of it in the Raw Food/Real World book and One Lucky Duck e-store. The mac nut oil supposedly has metabolism boosting properties and I enjoy eating it 100% more than coconut oil.

So, to recap...

http://oneluckyduck.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=92

+

http://www.alissacohen.com/shop/product.php?productid=33&cat=5&page=1

= YUM :p

[greeninlosangeles]

For me the only thing that works is to stop using added salt altogether. After the first 3 days you won't crave it, at least not as bad. The bonus - I stoped overstuffing myself.
The only thing I sometimes use is kelp on the salads. But even that I try not to overdo.

[chilove]

Hello there,

You might want to try dehydrating celery and then grinding it up to use as a salt substitute. It has worked for others. Getting off salt IS possible. You just have to be strong. You will stop craving it soon and your taste buds will recover their natural sensitivity to the sodium in fresh foods like celery and tomatoes.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[solarliving]

You might also try sea vegetables. I bought some kelp and boy was it salty.

[dewing]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I'm willing to take all under advisement. It's nice to know there are all of you out there for support. It hasn't been easy making this transition. But from what I have experienced so far, it will be worth it. Patience, patience patience!

Hugs to you all!