Salt eating-is it normal?

Well I have this really weird thing that i absoloutly love to eat. It's salt. I just eat it out of the salt shaker plain. My mom thinks i may not be getting some kind of nutrition in my diet. Is this true? And if so, what should i start eating to make me stop craving salt? Thanks so much =)

I don't really know if eating salt is "Normal" but I don't think there's anything wrong with it. If you don't get enough salt, your body won't retain water, and you'll become dehydrated, but if you eat too much salt, then your body retains too much water and you get bloated from all the water weight... I've heard natural sea salt is a good alternative to table salt though... and cutting back on salt can actually prevent cardiovascular disease later on in life.

But to answer your question, no it's not normal, its actually kind of weird. Oh i also found a website that might be helpful to you about WHY you're craving salt.

hope this helps.

Some people's blood pressure is quite sensitive to their salt intake. Therefore I recommend that you get your blood pressure measured, to make sure that you're not making it high by eating salt.

Water - Your body craves salty stuff when you are dehydrated. Try to drink at least 8 cups of water a day. If that doesn't stop your salt thing, it could just be an odd habit you have that you need to break because salt is bad for you (when you have more than you need).

CRAVINGS SUCK BUT IT IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE OF HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES AND SERIOUS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
SWITCH TO LITE SALT ASAP

it's disgusting how can you eat it plain. my sister use to do that .

In the Hispanic culture we eat salt with lemon or salt with chile and even pickle flavored salt - straight. They are sold in little packets and kids eat it like candy. I agree that salt is bad for fluid retention and blood pressure - but almost everything is bad for you in some way. I think you mom is referring to idoine deficiency - which could be a reason for your craving but most likely you just like the taste (like I do).

Salt and Sweet are acquired tastes!! We do not feed babies salt on their food until they are toddling and even then is not a good idea. We feed them Sweet things as soon as we start spoon feeding them.

You can break this salt habit!! You really can and that is what it is more than a lack of something.

It is hard to do!! Just start ignoring the salt shaker. Do not add any salt to the foods you are eating and do not touch the salt shaker at all for about a month.

I used to chip a chunk off the salt blocks for the livestock and wildlife and have it in my pocket to lick on. A new block of salt is so pristine white and clean!

Now I have hypertension (high blood pressure) so the doctors keep yammering at me to quit having ANY salt in my food, but that is totally impossible and wrong.

I only have what is canned in it and will not pay the extra price for the salt free foods.

@ Sue: Lay off the salt!
@ You: Lay off the bloody salt!!

I've stopped eating sugar recently, and i find an apple gets rid of the cravings for a while, dunno if that'd work for you but yea something like that might work :)

Salt in excess is generally not good for you. It makes your body retain water in your tissues and muscles, especially around your Heart. Can cause hypertension, High blood pressure, and even heart attack in elderly! Their are salt substitutes, though I don't know a great deal about them they have side effects also. Try seasonings on food instead. Also left you a good web site about this. Stay healthy & good luck!!