You’ve probably heard someone say, “If you want something salty, you’re actually just dehydrated.” It sounds like good advice, right? Like your body is secretly trying to send you a coded message.

But honestly? Most of the time, that’s not what’s happening at all. Craving salt doesn’t automatically mean you’re low on water. In fact, for most people, salt cravings are way more normal and way less dramatic than they’ve been made out to be. Sometimes you just want something salty because it tastes good. Period.

Myth vs. Reality
These are different signals. Your body isn’t trying to trick you. Sure, if you haven’t had anything to drink all day, water is a good idea — but a salt craving by itself doesn’t mean your body is secretly dehydrated. More often, salt cravings happen because:

you like salty foods
you’re hungry
you haven’t had a satisfying meal yet
you’re stressed or tired
you’ve been restricting certain foods
you want something crunchy or flavorful
or the food just sounds good

Cravings aren’t “bad.” They’re not signs that something is wrong with you. They’re just information — little signals about what might hit the spot. And honestly? When you’ve dieted or avoided snacks for years, salty foods can feel extra tempting. That doesn’t mean dehydration. It means you’re human, and your body remembers what tastes good.

What Actually Matters

In Intuitive Eating and HAES, we try to take the drama out of cravings. You don’t have to overthink them or turn them into a problem to fix. You can simply ask yourself: “Does this sound good? Will this feel satisfying?” If the answer is yes, it’s totally okay to eat it.

Sometimes a salty snack is exactly what you need. Sometimes a glass of water is what you want. Sometimes it’s both! None of it means you’re doing anything wrong. Your body isn’t trying to confuse you — it’s just talking to you in the simplest way it knows how. And listening to those signals without guilt? That’s what healing your relationship with food actually looks like.

Disclaimer:

If you struggle with an eating disorder, chronic dieting, or are working towards a path to rediscover how to fully listen to your body, we’re here to help. We accept clients both virtually and in person. Contact us today to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation.