Some people crave salty foods like crisps, chips, and savoury snacks. This is linked to low levels of electrolytes, dehydration, and stress, which may be shown in symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and an inability to concentrate. Eat more Vitamin B foods like nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
Cravings for salty, crunchy foods might indicate "frustration, anger, stress, or resentment,” she adds. “Crunching down with your jaw is cathartic, almost like punching a wall.
A study published in the most recent version of the journal Obesity found that the body's internal clock, the circadian system, increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings.
You don't want to eat too many saltine crackers (or even make them part of your daily diet) because they are high in sodium, easy to consume in excess and provide almost no nutrients. Some healthy alternatives to saltines include whole grain crackers, nut and seed crackers, and gluten-free crackers.
Breads, Pastas, and Crackers
Whether snacking on crackers at your desk or the bread basket at the dinner table, foods laden in refined carbs can actually provoke additional hunger. Unlike whole grain products, refined carbs are stripped from satiating fiber and valuable nutrients.
One serving of the crackers has 140 calories, 2 grams of protein, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of fat and 240 milligrams of sodium. The chips have 150 calories, 2 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of fat and 180 milligrams of sodium.
Crackers and chips are often high in calories and may also contain added fats, salts, and sugar. Crackers and chips are types of processed food. A 2015 study in Brazil found a positive correlation between the consumption of “ultra-processed foods” and obesity.
Crackers. Foods high in starch — such as saltines, bread, and toast — help absorb gastric acid and settle a queasy stomach. "The bland nature of a cracker helps to satisfy hunger (excessive hunger can exacerbate nausea) without the strong smells or tastes that may increase nausea," says Palinski-Wade.
Look for crackers made from mostly or all seeds—think flax, sunflower, pumpkin, and more. “These supply healthy fats, fiber, and protein,” Keating says. They also tend to be gluten-free. Look for crackers made with whole grains, or grain-free seed-only products like the Top Seedz below.
Yes, only eating crackers and drinking water will make you lose weight in the short term — but it also has serious consequences. This sort of starvation diet often leads to gaining the weight back as soon as you go back to your normal habits — and it can even cause health problems.
Food cravings are linked to nutrient deficiencies. If you're constantly craving sweets, get more magnesium, chromium, and tryptophan in your diet. These nutrients are found in whole, natural foods, such as broccoli, dried beans, liver, eggs, poultry, legumes, and grains, or you can get them via supplementation.
Cravings often come when we feel stressed. When you eat carbs, it releases a "happy" chemical in your brain like serotonin. Many of the foods we tend to crave -- sweets, white breads, and sodas -- are filled with simple carbs that your body processes very fast.
Most people are able to eat at least two saltines without water, although patients affected by Sjögren's syndrome lack the saliva necessary for even this many. Doctors may use this test, the "cracker test" or "cracker sign", to help diagnose the disorder.
Eating crackers to lose weight is a common misconception. People think that because crackers are low in calories, they will help with weight loss. However, crackers are high in carbohydrates and can actually lead to weight gain.
Eating too many crackers can cause you to gain weight. Serving sizes for crackers are relatively small, and if you do not control your portions, you'll consume more calories and fat. According to the My Pyramid website, five whole wheat crackers are equivalent to one serving of whole grains.
So, which is worse for your teeth? It might seem like candy is the obvious answer, but in fact, crackers or chips can be worse! Starchy foods like crackers, chips, and white bread, tend to stay stuck in the grooves of teeth long after a meal.
Are you craving fats? Like sugar, craving fatty foods signals your body is wanting specific nutrients. In this case, you're likely craving fat-soluble vitamins A, K, D and E.
The crackers can also help to improve your chances of falling asleep. Because of the high carb levels in crackers or chips, your body will produce a rush of blood sugar and insulin. This flood of extra substance in your blood will make you feel sleepy, leading to a streamlined nighttime routine.
Whole Grain Crackers
The MIND diet includes three or more servings of whole grains daily because they play a role in protecting your brain. That's what makes whole grain crackers are a great snack option.