Am I Missing Something?

[pll]

I wonder if anemia could cause salt cravings, too...?

Don't think so. I think one should rule out the simplest explanation first: mild dehydration and loss of electrolytes through sweating. The fact that 32 oz of Gatorade made Bethany feel a lot better would suggest that some experimentation with different sources of electrolytes and/or maybe savory riding treats while riding is in order. [BTW, I also find Gatorade too sweet and cannot drink much of it.]

Adrenal problems can cause salt cravings, but they also come with a host of other unpleasant symptoms... then there is pregnancy...

[indigoiis]

Coconut water, a banana, and a salty granola bar usually work for me.

[Owlie]

If I remember right, Nuun is really not a good sodium replacement option (at least not the flavor I usually buy). So definitely make sure you're reading the packaging on whatever you try to make sure you're getting what you want.

I DO like Gatorade, but I cut it with water and then add "gatorlyte" powder, which addes more sodium and electrolytes without adding more sugars.

Per 8oz (so, 1/2 tablet): 180 mg sodium in the Lemon-lime; the strawberry lemonade has somewhat less. (172mg).

I agree it's good to combine it with something else. I also take Shot Blocks with me (margarita, the ones with extra sodium) if it's really hot, and the regular ones have a little bit of salt in there too. I like Nuun because it has other stuff (potassium, calcium and magnesium) and because it's not too heavily flavored, but not so light that it just tastes like I forgot to wash out my bottle. Salt is relatively easily replaced by diet (I grab a little bag of chips after a hot ride); everything else I actually have to try.

[jessmarimba]

Per 8oz (so, 1/2 tablet): 180 mg sodium in the Lemon-lime; the strawberry lemonade has somewhat less. (172mg).

I agree it's good to combine it with something else. I also take Shot Blocks with me (margarita, the ones with extra sodium) if it's really hot, and the regular ones have a little bit of salt in there too. I like Nuun because it has other stuff (potassium, calcium and magnesium) and because it's not too heavily flavored, but not so light that it just tastes like I forgot to wash out my bottle. Salt is relatively easily replaced by diet (I grab a little bag of chips after a hot ride); everything else I actually have to try.

Sorry, I think I have the orange-something flavor. It's not sodium where it's lacking, it's potassium - at least that flavor (1% daily value). Just know when I was thinking of switching from gatorade after my super-hot, super-slow awful feeling half early this year, nuun was not an option that was gonna cut it for me. Then again, what I can take on a bike varies from what I can take running. I need to drink most of my calories running because of a picky stomach, but I can eat pretty much anything on a bike.

[Ursula745]

1 cup of alfalfa has 1% of the DV (same amount as a serving of Gatorade or the Skratch labs exercise hydration mix). You would do much better with many other veggies than with alfalfa in terms of potassium. e.g, one cup of cooked kale has 8.5% of the DV.

I use super concentrated alfalfa capsules that are more potent.

[CindyK]

Just a thought, and apologies to those who already know this, I don't mean to preach to the choir. But too much potassium is just as dangerous - if not even more so - than too little. Be careful if you're supplementing with herbals.