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Weird Tip that Might Help Curb Cravings for Salty Snacks
Health | November 03, 2015
You know when you’re sitting around and all of the sudden you can’t stop thinking about delicious, crunchy, salty, savory snacks? Chips, pretzels, Chex Mix, cheese puffs, Doritos, those pretzel bites from Trader Joe’s that have the peanut butter inside… wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, sorry! Anyway, if you’re truly hungry and you need some nutrition in between meals, try having a handful of nuts or some delicious crunchy veggies. I love a small handful of sunflower seeds or pistachios! But if you know you’re not really hungry and just need to beat the salty munchies, I have a solution for you!
I discovered this trick by accident while I was giving some of my health and beauty products a green makeover. I wanted to swap out some things that were full of man-made chemicals and try to use toiletries that were more natural.
I read one article in particular that really stuck with me about harmful ingredients that might be lurking in your toothpaste. Things like artificial sweeteners and triclosan, an antibacterial agent that some people suspect can interfere with your hormone function. Yuck! Anyway, I’m not trying to warn you or make you paranoid about brushing your teeth, there are plenty of brands that are pretty safe (like Tom’s of Maine I read a lot of good things about). But I had always heard that brushing your teeth with baking soda was effective, too. After some research, I discovered that brushing with baking soda is actually proven in studies to remove more plaque from your teeth than regular toothpaste! Sold!
So, I found my little box of baking soda buried in the back of my spice shelf and gave it a try. And I loved it! You just wet your toothbrush, dip it in the box, and brush away. My teeth and whole mouth felt sparkly and clean. And baking soda is super cheap.
Now, sometimes when I have cravings after dinner I’ll brush my teeth as a deterrent to eating something I know I’ll regret. Brushing your teeth at night kind of tells your brain that you’re done eating for the day. And that really minty taste usually makes anything you might eat after brushing taste kind of bad. But when I tried instead brushing with baking soda, I realized that the saltiness of the baking soda actually kind of satisfied my craving for salty snacks!
It’s weird, but when you’re not really hungry, the taste of that salty flavor in baking soda just does the trick. Now, whenever I’m really wanting some chips or cheese crackers, I give my teeth a brush with baking soda and move on with my day.
Am I the only weirdo that uses the baking soda trick? Give it a try for me and let me know if it works for you, too! Or if you have your own trick to beat unhealthy snacking, I’d love to hear it. But give baking soda a whirl. If nothing else, you’ll get more plaque off your teeth 😉
Private Member |
I’m glad to hear that it works for you! Especially cause I’ve been wanting to try baking soda instead of using regular toothpaste but wasn’t sure yet; does it give you fresh breath in the morning after you wake up? That was my main concern before switching. Another I’ve been dabbling into is Veriditas Botanicals which is a locally owned Minnesota company that makes organic essential oils/treatments. Some you can actually ingest by the process in which they make those. I’ve started with the Gingivitis treatment cause I have a little and wanted to try a more natural remedy since I haven’t had time to go to the dentist just yet and so far it makes my mouth feel great after and fresh. They also have one I do want to try which is gumdropps which can be used to replace toothpaste and you can also add a few drops to your oil pulling routine which they mention as well!
Private Member |
Do you only use baking soda now? I’m very curious and haven’t heard of this before.
Any studies in particular you recommend reading? I work in research and love that you conduct such thorough research yourself! 🙂
Private Member |
I should have specified… any other studies you recommend reading? haha…
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
No, I use just toothpaste on a regular basis. I don’t recommend brushing with baking soda exclusively or even every day, just something I tried that I figured I would share that could be helpful when you’re battling with the urge to eat potato chips or other unhealthy salty snacks 😉
Private Member |
seattle, washington
Baking Soda is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate. If you want to brush your teeth with it try combining it with Hydrogen Peroxide which is a very old substitute for toothpaste with many health benefits.
Private Member |
I might try that. Also thinking of giving Tom’s of Maine another try. Or one of those similar, natural-based toothpaste products. It’s been years since I used it, mostly due to convenience factors.
Private Member |
seattle, washington
You wouldn’t want to always use this concoction, just every so often for a few days.
Private Member |
mumbai, india
I hope this was a joke?! why would you use pure hydrogen peroxide on your teeth?? it is a strongly corrosive, oxidizing acid… please do not do that.
i find it slightly funny, how a lot of people say they want to avoid “man-made chemicals”. what are baking soda, aka sodium bicorbonate/hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen peroxide? did they fall from the sky? they come out of a chemical factory just as much as your toothpaste. only because they have less ingredients, does not mean they are less harmful. the dosis makes the poison. in toothpastes you might have 0.5% triclosan. if you use the chemicals straight away, you have no control, what you are putting into your body…
Private Member |
seattle, washington
Where did I say pure Hydrogen Peroxide? It would very probably explode if I could even find 100%. Usually we buy 3% and dilute it to 1.5% for this uses. You also don’t always use this as Baking Soda is abrasive and will over time damage the enamel of your teeth. It is used to bright your teeth and some people add vinegar as well.
Private Member |
Is that food grade hydrogen peroxide Chris? I have read of many health benefits from it.
Private Member |
seattle, washington
No, just the 3% you buy off the shelf.
Private Member |
Thanks! I’ll definitely have to give this a try!
Private Member |
I love lastly crispy snacks so I bought other snacks that weren’t potato chips. I found apple chips that come In three flavour plain, cinnamon, and chocolate drizzle, I also tried quinoa chips and something else called snap pea crisps which are made from dehydrated peas.
Private Member |
uk
Baking soda has a slight salty taste so it would make sense it would take the salt cravings away. Also I think its the fact that you just brush your teeth that makes you think twice about eating something. I brush my teeth with it sometimes but I think its rather harsh to do it on daily basis. Now, what about sugar cravings? Would brushing teeth with sugar help? Just kidding:)
Private Member |
ca, usa
I will give brushing with baking soda a try. One evening snack I eat when I want something to munch on is celery sticks and I use powdered peanut butter to dip them in. It has a good flavor and most of the time will do the trick. However, my 4 boys have tons of halloween candy in ziplocks bags in the cupboard and I allow them 1 treat a day. I found myself eating 2 mini bags of peanut M&Ms last night in a weak moment. 🙂 I told them today if Mom can’t handle the temptation their candy will be “donated”. 🙂
Private Member |
I have been using Toms for about 15 years and love that stuff. I have brushed my teeth to stop cravings and it works at any time of the day. I read somewhere that if you are still hungry or craving the unhealthy food 30 mins after brushing then to allow yourself to have a piece and more times than not you don’t get the same satisfaction. Great post!
Private Member |
felgueiras, porto, portugal
Hi Zuzka! I feel more desire to eating saltly snacks or sweet recently and it is so bad for me because I feel some anxiety. So, yesterday I bought some sunflower seed, pistacchios and peanut for this emergency moments. Usually I brushing my teeth with regurlar toothpaste but I will try the baking soda tip when the anxiety to arrive and I hope this tip work for me too! Thanks my Dear! You are the best!
Private Member |
Hello Zuzka…
Thanks for the note, but keep in mind that baking soda is very aggressive for the teethes (enamel), so should be used with precaution and not too often… can severely damage your smile
What I do is to not have any snacks at home… except veggies, hummus, boiled eggs, nuts and fruits.. At worst I’d have a bite of cheese… (I am swiss and can only LOVE cheese which is my addiction !! ahah… chocolate too, I must admit, but I don’t buy any so I’ll not be tempted…)
I also try to drink water and lemon, or an infusion, which can help with the cravings. A will also eat sooner if I am really hungry, cause if I start snacking, I wont be hungry enough for my meal, and just keep snacking… Internal clock and needs are more important that the time on the clock… so whatever if one day I have my supper one hour earlier, it doesn’t matter too much
Private Member |
if you crave salty food, you are lacking some minerals. Never, Ever use baking soda !! Do more deeply researches ! 😉
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
I’m not sure that Doritos or Lays potato chips or cheesy puffs are going to provide any necessary minerals?
Private Member |
usa
A trick I use is I mix Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and Bragg’s ACV in a glass bottle that I keep in the fridge and I take a little sip whenever I’m craving salty snacks. It works! I have used baking soda to brush my teeth but not in a while. I’ll have to try it though. I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine toothpaste WITHOUT fluoride for over 10 years. I just went to the dentist for the first time in almost 15 years (I know that sounds bad but I have a real phobia of the dentist) and my teeth are in good shape. I only have a cavity on both my upper wisdom teeth and the dentist said that they would just have to extract them eventually.
Private Member |
Have you guys read the latest on Toms not being as natural as they say? Google it
I love to brush my teeth with coconut oil and I mix a bit of Aztec clay in it, works like a charm, I also make my own detergent, all things cleaning products as well as deodarant. Little by little moving towards the crunchy side lol
Private Member |
http://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/51672-toms-of-maine-toothpaste-is-not-natural-class-action-says/