Low sodium recipes?

[Huey]

Anyone have good low sodium recipes to share?

My doctor just put me on a low sodium diet. I have to be watch my blood pressure. I,m finding out that sodium is hard to avoid. Most of my old recipes will have to go.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Huey

[jentz]

Get used to bland foods.Read food packages the prepared are full of salt.Its hard to do in the grocery store!!! maybe start cooking and be salt wise.No sausage,bacon anything preserved.any box mixes are full of salt,Read packages.

[pushbutton]

Yeah Huey, Jentz pretty much summed it up....good luck finding much at the store that does not have more sodium than the doc will want you to have in a week. First thing I would do is go get something like Mrs Dash, they have about 20 varieties now so figure out which blend of spices you like. Similarly, herbs and spices will now have to be your friend. It takes a iittle while to get used to, but I am so used to a butload of onion powder and pepper on my burgers, now adding salt just tastes...well, too salty.

A good low sodium chicken bullion can also add a lot of flavor to dishes without doing the no no. Orrington Farms or something like that has one that is under 150 mg per serving which is like 20 times less than Wylers. Its low fat too so you still get some of the taste good without all the bad. I also use a lot of the low sodium gravy pouches to add flavor. there is only about a 1000 milligrams, probably at your upper end, but you can dilute it for a soup or sprinkle it for a seasoning and still get some richer flavor.

Something that also helped me out was vinegar. Using rice, wine, balsamic, ect...seems to help fulfill that salt craving. Start using it along with some olive oil in dressings and slaws and you even start to prefer it. Pork chops or chicken seared with it along with some jam or marmalade is also tasty with nearly any salt.

Most difficult thing for me was cheese and bread. Both are usually loaded with it. Maybe get a bread machine and back off considerably or altogether and save the salt for something that goes on or in it. Personally find it easier just make a quick and easy low salt nan/pita/flatbread type thing. Same thing with cheese. A good swiss or real mozzarella is probably your best option....you will have to open up your pocketbook for that though. No more 2 for 5 buck pakages anymore. A sams club or costco membership will more than pay for itself with good cheese alone.

Ultimately, if you do not want to eat bland food, you will have to learn how to get creative, learn how to cook if your not good at it already, and ration your allotment each day.

[jentz]

Yeah Huey, Jentz pretty much summed it up....good luck finding much at the store that does not have more sodium than the doc will want you to have in a week. First thing I would do is go get something like Mrs Dash, they have about 20 varieties now so figure out which blend of spices you like. Similarly, herbs and spices will now have to be your friend. It takes a iittle while to get used to, but I am so used to a butload of onion powder and pepper on my burgers, now adding salt just tastes...well, too salty.

A good low sodium chicken bullion can also add a lot of flavor to dishes without doing the no no. Orrington Farms or something like that has one that is under 150 mg per serving which is like 20 times less than Wylers. Its low fat too so you still get some of the taste good without all the bad. I also use a lot of the low sodium gravy pouches to add flavor. there is only about a 1000 milligrams, probably at your upper end, but you can dilute it for a soup or sprinkle it for a seasoning and still get some richer flavor.

Something that also helped me out was vinegar. Using rice, wine, balsamic, ect...seems to help fulfill that salt craving. Start using it along with some olive oil in dressings and slaws and you even start to prefer it. Pork chops or chicken seared with it along with some jam or marmalade is also tasty with nearly any salt.

Most difficult thing for me was cheese and bread. Both are usually loaded with it. Maybe get a bread machine and back off considerably or altogether and save the salt for something that goes on or in it. Personally find it easier just make a quick and easy low salt nan/pita/flatbread type thing. Same thing with cheese. A good swiss or real mozzarella is probably your best option....you will have to open up your pocketbook for that though. No more 2 for 5 buck pakages anymore. A sams club or costco membership will more than pay for itself with good cheese alone.

Ultimately, if you do not want to eat bland food, you will have to learn how to get creative, learn how to cook if your not good at it already, and ration your allotment each day.

Low salt recipes??If you want some tasty I may be able to help.Healthy foods! maybe a thread can be started.I can add many!9 years a going strong!!

[3pronghook]

look for nu salt. its a potassium chloride. no sodium. really is a great substitute. and like mentioned use spices and stay away from packaged seasoning and foods. I use tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and even some of the teriyaki sauces you will find with tolerable levels of sodium. read labels! youll be surprised at the differences and make sure you note serving size. 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoon. good luck

[leech~~]

First of all don't panic! Life is not over! I know when the doc told me to cut out salt and lower fats I thought life was over and I may just as well take a walk on thin ice then to give up my salt shaker!

It is just changing things and finding new salty flavors like the others have suggested. I'm sure the Doc gave you a daily suggested amount of salt that you can have. It's best not to go cold turkey and just start making inprovements by slowly taking it out and using other things when you make food and yep reading labels. I have not poured salt out of a shaker at home in 3 years and now can taste how salty some foods really are where I couldn't before. Good Luck!

[delcecchi]

Also, cutting salt may or may not help your blood pressure. It is an individual thing as to how sensitive you are.

You will have to give up canned soup. Canned beans of any type also have a surprising amount of sodium in them. Most bread has a reasonable amount.

Ideally you will eat a lot of fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit, fish (not fried), whole grains, and some good fats like olive oil etc.

There are some good cajun seasonings that don't have salt in them. Or curry. Both are good on rice.

The medications for blood pressure aren't bad either. I have experience with a number of them, and would be happy to share what I know. PM me if you don't want to post.

Take care of yourself.

Oh, and eating out is a killer for sodium. Pretty much all restaurant food is high sodium. For example, a McDouble is 850 mg of sodium, or almost half a daily allowance of 2000 mg.

[Cicada]

Check with your doctor on the fake salt. I was not allowed to use it with the meds they put me on.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I don't know if you have any room for gardening, but iffin you do plant a bunch of herbs and spices.

My wife started doing this aboot 5 years ago. She's one heckuva cook and I don't think she's used a salt shaker since she started planting the herbs in the garden. Quite honestly, I think the stuff tastes even better with the garden herbs than with salt.

No need to panic. The stuff she makes is far from bland.

[TLH713]

Started doing the low sodium thing 11 years ago because of congestive heat failure due to high blood pressure at the age of 32. I am now almost off of all blood pressure meds but really don't use much salt at all. I agree with most of these comments. READ LABELS before buying anything, herbs and spices are going to be great friends. I have a bunch of the Open Season spices from Cablea's that are fairly low in sodium and add great taste. I LOVE my fish done in very little olive oil with the Cablea's Open Season Pecan Honey seasoning. No breading, no salt and just a little pepper! A side of steamed broccoli and cauliflower and I am a happy man.

On a side note: DON'T be afraid to allow yourself a "cheat" now and then. I still love to go out to eat and know that most of the food is loaded with sodium. I just prepare or "recover" by eating very little sodium for a day or two before or after. I don't mean being on a 2000mg a day sodium diet and then splurging by eating 10,000mg, but in moderation it's not a bad thing and helps you stay on track.

[Huey]

Guys,

Thanks for info.

It's reassuring to hear that other people have gone through this and figured out good things to eat.

I never paid attention to sodium before and it is amazing how hard it is to avoid. My diet has changed a lot, for the better. Lots of veggies and fruit. My tastes are starting to change. Two weeks ago I made a no salt version of my venison chili. Yuck! Yaeteraday I took some out of the freezer and it seemed OK.

I'll let you know if I figure out any good recipes, especially for fish or game.

Huey

[delcecchi]

Oh, and losing weight will do more for your blood pressure than cutting salt, not that they are exclusive or that you are fat since I don't know.

Just speaking from personal experience.

[Huey]

I've lost over 50 lbs already. A lot in the hospital and more at home. No beer, healthier eating, and smaller portions is working.

Here one recipe that I figured out;

Sirlion steak kabobs and red potatoes.

Cut steak, onion, red and green pepper into 1 " squares and make kabobs. Sprinkle on extra virgin olive oil and no salt Greek seasoning then grill.

Boil red potatoes. Red potatoes are naturally creamy. I skip the butter and eat each bite of potato with a piece of grilled onion or pepper for flavor.

[delcecchi]

Hospital? They crack your chest like they did mine?

[deerminator]

No recipes per se but I second the Mrs. Dash. My wife has kidney disease and so we try to keep salt useage low. One of my favorite accompaniments with baked potatoes, low salt chips, whatever, is a couple of tablespoons sour cream mixed up with some Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipolte seasoning. Not sure what low salt is in your case but the sour cream only has 25 mg salt or 1% of the suggested daily intake. Good luck!

[ThunderLund78]

I don't have time to look for it now but there is a citrus chicken recipe on here somewhere within the last two years that you make on the stovetop with some chicken theighs, grapefruit juice and some veggies and serve over rice. VERY good, zero salt. If I have some time later, I'll try to track it down, I've been meaning to make it again.

[delcecchi]

Grapefruit juice?

Watch that stuff if you take a statin, BTW.

Quote:

from mayoclinic.com

Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can interfere with the enzymes that break down (metabolize) the statins in your digestive system. This can be dangerous because it's uncertain what the effect would be on your total cholesterol. You should still be able to have some grapefruit or grapefruit juice, but talk to your doctor about limiting how much grapefruit you can have.