low sodium diet: what to use to replace salt?

2»

Replies

  • MyM0wM0w
    MyM0wM0w Posts: 2,008 Member
    Just use a little more of the other seasonings you'd use in that dish/food.

    I've been on a 1600mg sodium diet for two years now and soon, you won't miss the taste of salt at all.

    Check all your spices, most onion/garlic powder have salt in it. It may not seem like a lot but when you start dumping it in to make up for lack of salt, it will add up during the day.

    Anything canned is higher in sodium so switch to frozen veggies and dry beans.
  • Kymwho
    Kymwho Posts: 183 Member
    Low sodium diet here as well. Bump for later
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Something I discovered the hard way - if you have a water softener, your tap water has added salt, too. (And it can add up quickly!)

    Note: Not to be confused with a reverse osmosis drinking water system, which will remove the sodium in the water. If you need to restrict your sodium intake so heavily (or you drink so much water) that even the amount in an 8oz serving (which the FDA considers low enough to qualify as "very low sodium" or basically negligible for most people), then I recommend getting a reverse osmosis system for your drinking water. Alternatively, you can use potassium chloride in your softener system instead of sodium chloride, though it can be pricier and potentially harder to find than the sodium chloride softener salt.

    Thanks for the additional info, Dragonwolf. I have a traditional water softener that is currently using sodium choride. (My beloved congestive heart patient (my dad) passed away a few years ago, so we're no longer ultra Na restrictive at home.) I will look into the potassium chloride option. (BTW: a reverse osmosis system would be awesome!)

    Some extra info:
    If anyone has sodium chloride softened water, then the sodium levels can vary quite a bit (typically because the harder the water, the more salt gets added). Per an article on Dr. Weil's website, a significant portion (17%) of water softened households tested at 400mg sodium/liter - which means "drinking 2 liters of water, each of which contain 400 mg of sodium, would account for more than half your daily limit of 1,500 mg."
    Source: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401076/Too-Much-Sodium-from-Softened-Water.html
  • HappyMeLovely
    HappyMeLovely Posts: 134 Member
    Regarding MSG: I would say to avoid using it because it contains sodium and also carries the risk of sensitivity to the glutamate. The symptoms of glutamate sensitivity may include facial pressure, chest pain, numbness, headache, flushing and sweating.

    To avoid unnecessary sodium intake you should limit or cut out canned vegetable and processed goods, instead use frozen veggies and fresh meats.

    Regarding salt substitute: It is basically potassium, which depending on the condition your being treated for may be contraindicated. No matter what your condition, practice moderation because too much potassium can cause acute renal (kidney) failure.

    As far as spices, always check the ingredient label! Most Mrs. dash blends are salt free as well as some other products. You may also want to look into mixing your own spices.
    White pepper is a great sprinkled over veggies and tastes better than salt in my opinion. Fresh herbs can also add flavor without danger.


    I wish you well.
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Regarding salt substitute: It is basically potassium, which depending on the condition your being treated for may be contraindicated. No matter what your condition, practice moderation because too much potassium can cause acute renal (kidney) failure.

    Good point, HappyMeLovely. There are quite a few conditions (and some meds) out there that require careful regulation of potassium. Check with the doc before swapping potassium for sodium.
  • sue_stef
    sue_stef Posts: 194 Member
    I am also on a low salt diet due to high blood pressure you can follow me I've been remaking all kinds of things with lower sodium they still taste fantastic
    the biggest difficulty for me was not giving up salt but giving up sugar because I am also diabetic
    in the month and a half since I started this I have cut my blood pressure from dangerously high to the higher end of normal
    I use herbs and Mrs Dash
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    My doctor put me on a low sodium diet. Now salt gives a lot of taste to things: so what do you use to replace it with (in soups etc) to make the food still "tasty"?

    Also, does anybody have an idea how much salt is absorbed by the food if I cook it in salted water? Like spaghetti, potatoes, vegetables?

    The Dash Diet is a good source with some useful information. You might search it online or pick up the book. Whether you follow their diet or not they have some useful information.
  • kyregi
    kyregi Posts: 55 Member
    Lots of great advice! I know I have to meet with my doctor again to get a real scope on what my new diet can and cannot contain. so far it is more general advice to be on a low sodium (1500mg per day) diet. On top of that lots of fats have to be cut out etc, as I have a heart problem. So, I guess till I get together with my doc again, I will learn to read the labels much more carefully (I was quite shocked which amounts of sodium is in all of those canned foods) and will experiment with spices like garlic and herbs. Overall I need to be on the low sodium diet, but I also need to cook for my family and need to make sure they eat what I eat, more or less. Cooking different meals for different family members is not a great idea as I am full time working and stress is also on the list to be cut down.
    Luckily we do not have a water softener and do not have to watch out for the sodium in tap water. I also drink lots of bottled, carbonated water which is labeled at 10mg sodium per 8 ounces, which makes me happy :-)
    Thanks for your advice, I will go and study some nutrition labels to decide what's for dinner ;-)
  • jessigoct17
    jessigoct17 Posts: 57 Member
    im on low sodium diet too... onion powder on everything ! and garlic powder
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Lemon juice is a great salt substitute for some veggies .......brocolli for one......but potatoes, not so much.

    Was going to say lemon juice, but its not just veggies, the taste of fish and even chicken is improved with lemon juice imo. Also it does tend to bring out other flavours in a dish (try some lemon juice in a dish containing garlic)
  • tskvaughn
    tskvaughn Posts: 114 Member
    I promise you that once you get over the hump, you will not miss the salt. It amazes me how much sodium is already in the food we eat, even unprocessed foods.
    Once you get used to cutting sodium, processed foods and foods eaten out will taste too salty.
    You can do this!

    Oh and pepper, garlic, Italian herbs (I used the grinder kind), cumin, vinegar, lemon juice...there are so many options.
  • tskvaughn
    tskvaughn Posts: 114 Member
    . I also drink lots of bottled, carbonated water which is labeled at 10mg sodium per 8 ounces, which makes me happy :-)
    Thanks for your advice, I will go and study some nutrition labels to decide what's for dinner ;-)

    You can get sparkling water with no sodium. Can't think of the brands, just check the labels.
    Your family will get used to it. Everyone will be healthier. They can salt after cooking is done.

    And yes, processed foods are full of sodium, as well as canned.
  • Shuuma
    Shuuma Posts: 465 Member
    Cooking different meals for different family members is not a great idea as I am full time working and stress is also on the list to be cut down.

    I'm trying to cut my sodium, as well, but because I bloat like a puffer fish when I have too much. Everyone eats what I make and they can use a salt shaker to add salt if they want. It doesn't bother me at all and I rarely even cook with salt to begin with. It will only take a couple of days to get used to the taste. I would recommend Mrs. Dash, as well. There are a lot of flavors and they have no sodium and no MSG.

    Even though MSG is a recommendation by a lot of folks, and it likely a great option to consider, some people (like me) are very sensitive to MSG and end up getting sick if we eat it, so just be aware of your sensitivities when seasoning.

    I also use a bit of olive oil in my water when cooking pasta-it also keeps the noodles from sticking to each other!

    Good luck!

Categories