I always crave salt immediately after a workout

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
/munching on Rold Gold Classic Style pretzels

I am in good, but not excellent shape; though I think for a 40-year old, I'm not too bad. I run 3-4 days a week and do push myself when I run.

What I'm curious about is that almost everytime I run, immediately upon finishing, I'm craving salty snacks. 99% of the time, I have about 1/2 a bag of pretzles. :eek:

Does this mean I don't get enough salt in my diet? I never crave sweets...heck, a bag of cookies lasts 2-3 weeks in my house.

What's w/the salt thing? :confused:
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Your body is craving electrolytes. Keep hydrated. Drink some tap water or slam some gatorade... Riptide Rush is an excellent flavor.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
51,205
43,369
136
You are depleting your electrolytes during exercise and your body will crave salt, I can feel the same thing after doing a strenuous workout.

I usually drink some (not a lot) Gatorade directly after and that takes care of it.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Hmm, I am pretty sure I drink plenty of water. Typically I drink 2 liters per day. I weigh 218 pounds, if that means anything for the water/mass ratio or something...
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
6,407
1
0
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Hmm, I am pretty sure I drink plenty of water. Typically I drink 2 liters per day. I weigh 218 pounds, if that means anything for the water/mass ratio or something...

Try drinking gatorade, powerade, or another one of those 'sport' drinks. You're lacking in electrolytes, not just dehydrating.

Alternatively, make your own by adding some salt & sugar/other flavor (so it doesn't taste nasty) to water. Check websites that recommend formulas for people with bad diahrea (sp); it's the same kind thing that your body is lacking.

edit: I mean last time I caught a major stomach virus, I felt a similar craving. But solid food = puke, so I just chugged gatorade, lol.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
That is weird. I thought it was just me. I usually eat tons of tortilla chips with a protein shake post-workout.
 

Modular

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2005
5,027
67
91
Eating all those carbs right after working out kinda ruins the whole workout, no?

Get gatorade for the electrolytes you're losing.
 

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
126
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Hmm, I am pretty sure I drink plenty of water. Typically I drink 2 liters per day. I weigh 218 pounds, if that means anything for the water/mass ratio or something...

Just drinking straight water will probably make it worse. You are just flushing out more electrolytes when you do that. As others have said, have an occasional gatorade or a granola bar or something.