Salt craving

Question
My grand daughter who is 6 years loves to eat salt. She has been doing this since an early age. She will shake salt onto her plate and then lick her fingers, dip in the salt and lick them. She will only eat vegetables if she can smother them in soy sauce. I am concerned that she may ahve a deficiency of some kind. Can you please advise?

Thanks,  Regina

Answer
Hello Regina!

Many health seekers are convinced that if you crave a particular kind of food, then your body must need it. It's a comforting thought, but it's not true.  Cravings can occur from hormonal changes and other causes. Since salt is made up of the two minerals sodium and chloride, which are abundant in our diet, a deficiency is highly unlikely. The minimum requirement for intake of sodium is 500mg. per day and 750 mg. for chloride. The typical American consumes well above these amounts. For sodium, many of us consume between 4000 to 7000 milligrams of sodium per day. Just 1 teaspoon of salt provides 2000 milligrams! Current health guidelines recommend that we keep our consumption of sodium under 2400 mg. per day. If you suspect that salt cravings are excessive, I recommend consulting with a doctor for a thorough evaluation.

For more answers to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists: Answers to your Nutrition Questions" by George Rapitis available at www.authorhouse.com, online bookstores, or your favorite bookstore.

Happy New Year
George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist

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