Congestive Heart Failure and Sodium

ka4niv
ka4niv Posts: 2 Member
edited November 27 in Recipes
I was diagnosed with CHF 4 years ago and have done well keeping the weight down until just recently. A temporary change in medication added about 5%.

Where is a good source for low sodium recipes?

I gotta get my weight back down to a reasonable level before my cardiologist visit.

Replies

  • dklibert
    dklibert Posts: 1,196 Member
    I have no experience with CHF. But recently my mom was put on a sodium restricted diet. I found sodiumgirl.com/ and dontsalt.blogspot.com/ and lowsodiumcooking.com/ and davita.com/recipes/

    Here are some things I made for mom. soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/p/low-sodium-recipes.html

    I have found that citrus juice and vinegar brighten foods like salt would. Mrs. Dash extra spicy is a great substitute for cajun seasoning. I like all Mrs. Dash except the original or table blend. I use no salt added can tomatoes and veggies, unsalted broth and stock, etc. Two cans of no salt added tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano blended is a pretty good substitute for a jar of pasta sauce.

    I hope this helps, good luck on your health journey.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Often more fresh produce and a decrease in processed / packaged foods will help. Of course restaurant foods / fast food is very high sodium as well.

    Did your doctor say anything about increasing pottassium intake? Both sodium and pottassium can be tracked on MFP.
  • ka4niv
    ka4niv Posts: 2 Member
    Good Advice -- thanks! I will definitely check out the web sites. We keep Mrs. Dash around the house, but my better half has not discovered the extra spicy yet - I may have to go shopping on my own. And I like the pasta sauce substitute - great idea.

    As part of my weight loss program 4 years ago (75lbs in 7 months) I was indoctrinated into the evils of processed and fast foods. However neither the weight clinic nor my physician have talked about adding potassium. I know that my blood pressure meds specifically say do not take potassium supplements. So I have steered away from too much potassium.

    Thanks y'all!
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    ka4niv wrote: »
    Good Advice -- thanks! I will definitely check out the web sites. We keep Mrs. Dash around the house, but my better half has not discovered the extra spicy yet - I may have to go shopping on my own. And I like the pasta sauce substitute - great idea.

    As part of my weight loss program 4 years ago (75lbs in 7 months) I was indoctrinated into the evils of processed and fast foods. However neither the weight clinic nor my physician have talked about adding potassium. I know that my blood pressure meds specifically say do not take potassium supplements. So I have steered away from too much potassium.

    Thanks y'all!

    You might ask the doctor. I know there were studies for decades that showed the link between high sodium diets and heart disease. There were also studies for decades that showed a link between low potassium diets and heart disease. Then in 2009, a study was done to compare and contrast sodium and potassium. That study found that those who had high sodium AND high potassium diets had an equal risk of heart disease as those who had low sodium and moderate potassium diets. Ultimately, the conclusion found what all of the prior studies had missed for so long... the ratio of potassium to sodium is more important than either sodium or potassium by themselves. So it is probably worth following up with the dr. and asking about that.
  • stephaniestacy10
    stephaniestacy10 Posts: 1 Member
    I have heart failure. I'm prescribed potassium twice a day. I'll be checking out the low salt websites, thanks!
  • Tammynado
    Tammynado Posts: 17 Member
    I have heart failure - 9 years now. I was super obsessive about sodium at first & now it's just habit- read labels - ask waiters to ask the cook the leave off the salt when ordering out, etc. I do not cook with salt anymore - I try to stick with fresh or frozen veggies and stay away from canned and processed foods. Micro meals have tons of sodium. If I use canned items I try to rinse them first if possible. Beware things like light salt or no salt are straight potassium which is high in sodium - also one of my meds already creates potassium in my body so I need to make certain I avoid additional exposure to it... I love black pepper - I use a lot of that - the ms. dash and other no-salt added herbs and spice mixes... a squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the flavor of a lot of things... once you used to not using salt you will not want it anymore. I've asked fast food places to give me the fresh fries before they are salted... My meds make it difficult for me to lose weight - I can lose weight but not as easy as non-heart patients... I have lost up to 25 lbs at one time but I slacked off watching what I eat and working out and sure enough I gained a lot back ... so now I am starting over again. My heart doc says its 75% what you eat and only 25% exercise - but to work out at least for 30 mins a day (which I slacked off)... Talk to your heart doc - mine really supports the caveman - paleo diet for his patients.
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