If you are
When you are dehydrated or lose sodium from your body via exercise, vomiting or diarrhoea, our bodies naturally seek out fluids and salty foods to replenish electrolyte balance.
Because of the common cold or flu our power of smell is affected. It's important to recall the fact that olfaction (smell) plays an important part to appreciate taste. Because of the altered/ decreased ability to smell, our appreciation of taste is impacted, thus we crave for salty and spicy foods.
Salt craving can sometimes be caused by a serious medical condition, such as adrenal insufficiency or Bartter's syndrome.
'This is because your brain needs glucose to function efficiently and prevent it from becoming lethargic and depressed. ' Carbohydrates are an important source of glucose and if your carbohydrate levels are low, your body and brain will lack energy and may take longer to recover from illness.
Many people crave carbohydrates -- especially cookies, candy, or ice cream -- when they feel upset, depressed, or tired. "Carb craving is part of daily life," says Judith Wurtman, PhD, a former scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet.
Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C is a smart move. Vitamin C boosts your immune system, which is how your body naturally fights off infection. If you're feeling nauseous, following the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apples and toast – may be your preference.
Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says. Magnesium deficiency is specifically worth paying attention to.
Some studies show that anemia too can make you crave salt. But, how does anemia cause salt cravings? Anemia results in fatigue, muscle cramps, confusion, and fainting, apart from pica and can cause salt cravings. Iron deficiency anemia can also be related to other problems, which affect sodium balance.
A common source of sour cravings is a lack of stomach acid in the body. If we do not eat a sufficient amount of acidic foods, our stomach acid levels drop, making it difficult for the stomach to sterilize and break down the foods we eat.
Greasy, fatty foods, like fried chicken, often leave your stomach feeling unsettled and heavy, wreaking more havoc on your body than you need. Steer clear of fast food when you're sick or fighting off a cold.
And the main focus when you are sick is to maximize energy intake and minimize effort. Bad food is high in sugar and other easily accessible carbohydrates as well as fat. It gives the body the energy it wants. The body wants energy that is easily accessible.
Here's a guide to what works and what to avoid. Stay hydrated. Whether its tea, warm water with lemon or broth, drinking warm liquids can be soothing, prevent dehydration and ease congestion. Avoid salty foods, alcohol, coffee and sugary drinks, which can be dehydrating.
Processed meats
They pack a high sodium content and too much salt can lead to dehydration during a sickness. Excess salt draws fluids from your cells, leaving your cells dehydrated and with a worse or prolonged cold.
Calcium and Magnesium:
Low levels of these two minerals—which often go hand in hand—prime you for sugar and salt cravings.
Craving salt is not a sign of iron deficiency, and most often is not a sign of deficiency at all. Although rare, it occasionally symbolises a deficiency in chloride, an important mineral most often known referred to as electrolytes.
Research has shown that salt cravings are often due to a calcium deficiency. This is because when you eat something salty the sodium temporarily increases calcium in the blood, which tricks your body into thinking the calcium deficiency is over.
Many sugar cravings stem from a blood sugar imbalance. When your body ingests sugar, your blood sugar spikes and your body releases insulin to lower it to a safer level. If the insulin brings your blood sugar level a bit too low, as often happens, your body craves foods that will raise it and increase your energy.
In general, a craving can signal something is out of balance, but it doesn't always mean you need a certain type of food. A craving might mean you're dehydrated, stressed or lacking sleep. If you crave a snack, and you eat it, but you don't feel any better, your body was never needing that food to begin with.
Vitamins D and B12 deficiency and weight gain have been found to be directly related, with research suggesting that a complicated relationship exists between the amounts of minerals and vitamins one consumes and how much one weighs.
Caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they are dehydrating. They include coffee, cola drinks, energy drinks and tea. Alcohol is also dehydrating and should be avoided. In addition, it affects the functioning of the immune system and drinking too much alcohol makes you more likely to get an infection.
Water is one of the best fluids to consume to help you to stay hydrated when you're sick. The reason for this is that water doesn't contain any calories, sugar, or preservatives, which are things that can cause dehydration. Don't discount the power of a decaf or warm beverage that's low in caffeine.
Avoid foods (e.g. snacks) that are high in salt and sugar. Limit your intake of soft drinks or sodas and other drinks that are high in sugar (e.g. fruit juices, fruit juice concentrates and syrups, flavoured milks and yogurt drinks). Choose fresh fruits instead of sweet snacks such as cookies, cakes and chocolate.