How on earth can anyone follow a low salt diet. I find it impossible. What do you all eat? Help!
Yuiop: How on earth can anyone follow a... - British Liver Trust
Yuiop
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Yuiop
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Sadly almost all pre-packaged foods from cereal, biscuits, bread and more all contain some salt so it can't be eradicated totally unless you cook every single thing from scratch yourself. My hubby has cirrhosis, he thankfully has never shown signs of ascites but we follow as low salt as practicable. He still eats pre-packaged but never adds additional salt to food and I have never cooked with salt so thats not an issue. He tends to add pepper to a lot of his meals (did this pre-diagnosis too) but it gives that little bit of additional flavour I suppose.
Katie
• in reply toAyrshireK
Hi Katie. I'm I right in thinking a small amount of sea salt is a safer healthier option if you really need to add salt ? I don't need or want to but some folk do x
AyrshireK• in reply to
I wouldn't like to comment really Laura, that's not something i've heard, read or been told by medics. l think my hubby gets enough salt through the pre-packaged bits and pieces we still eat.
It's definitely not impossible! It's true that there's loads of salt in preprepared foods, but if you stick to basic old fashioned foods it's quite easy to avoid.
Meat and two veg for instance, or a classic roast doesn't need to contain any salt other than the tiny tiny amount that is there naturally.
I make my own gravy using Kallo Very low salt chicken stock, mixed with the roasting juices and thickened with cornflour.
Old fashioned cereals like weetabix and shredded wheat have negligible salt, as do oats.
Plain oven chips are also low in salt? I just add vinegar and pepper or even toss them in a bit of paprika and chilli powder before cooking.
Mascarpone cheese is low in salt and can be combined with tomatoes and basil to make a delicious pasta sauce. Add some leftover roast chicken to it and it's a nice protein packed dinner.
Scratch cook as much as you possibly can. I make bolognaise, curries, stews etc all from scratch with zero salt.
Home made skinless sausages too. There's plenty of recipes for these online - just omit or adjust the salt - make some homemade baked beans too, and you can have sausage, egg, chips and beans!
Home baked bread (not from bread mixes) is also good.
I try to get loads done on one of my good days then freeze freeze what's left for something quick on my bad days.
Being out and about is the worst, I just tend to keep going on nuts and fruit.
It's a little bit of a challenge sometimes, but definitely impossible, and I really really don't want the ascites coming back any time soon!
• in reply toGaryvh
That's dedication and determination for you 😃👍
Vinegar can be the worst thing for the liver
Could you explain that one eekk please, it's not something I have ever heard of. Why is vinegar bad for the liver??
Its acidic and has a similar effect on the liver as salt has on slugs.I will try to find you the scientific version
You've got more important things to concern yourself with tonight Eekk, sorry to have asked. I shall research that one though. My hubby can't eat anything too vinegary or acidic but it has been more to do with his portal hypertensive gastropathy and oesophageal varices and it causes horrendous heartburn. Certainly never heard anything about it shrivelling the liver like salt does to slugs. Indeed some people swear by apple cider vinegar as some sort of liver detox.
Anyway, I shall have a look myself.
All the best, Katie 
I use low sodium salt when I'm cooking. The British Liver Trust have so good advice, have a read of this please, it may help you: britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...
Good Luck
Richard
Yuiop• in reply to
Thank you.
Just fresh organic meals no extra salt added you can add herbs and spices
I have been following a low carb diet which advises using a little sea salt
This is because taking carbs out of your diet means that the salt that's in bread, most cereals and ready meals will no longer be eaten. I had low blood pressure even before starting low carb.
This is where individualised dietary advice really needs to be sought from a specialist dietician because peoples needs are VERY different depending on underlying cause of cirrhosis and also stage of illness - my husband for example is following a high carb, high protein diet for someone who was malnourished & lost muscle mass due to liver disease and is postitively encouraged to eat biscuits, bread, pastries and such like to fuel his body and isn't allowed to go more than a couple of hours without a carb rich snack and indeed a massive carb rich supper.
Im on a low potassium, low protein and low salt diet. Ask at your gp or hospital to see a dietician. They should be able to help you avoid the wrong stuff. Crisps, indian and chinese foods should be avoided along with ready made pasta sauces etc.
Good luck
Garyvh• in reply to
Indian food is very easy to make with no/reduced salt. Chinese is more difficult as it relies on use of salty condiments etc.
Unfortunately it mean you have to prepare more from fresh and cook more from basic ingredients yourself rather than using the pre-prepared stuff. You also use pepper as a seasoning instead of salt, or some herbs. Stock cubes are out though as they are full of salt.
Avoid LowSalt, use sea salt as it contains less additives than normal salt and you need less.
I also followed the other advice you have received. Good luck.
Aldi do multipacks of the salt & shake type crisps - just bin the salt sachet
Hi it is not too dificult just do not add salt to anything and cook everything from scrach do not eat ready meals or ready food salt is always added to keep it longer fresh veg and fresh meat and fish and you will be fine
Dave
Hi Yuiop,
I eat a low salt diet and cook all my own meals. My family eat the same meals as me and I always cook extra portions to go in the freezer. My go to meals are spaghetti Bolognese, I use the 5% fat mince. Chilli con carne. Chicken curry. Linda McCartney vegetarian sausages with mash & peas..low salt gravey, omelette, salad, weetabix. Shredded wheats. Porridge. Lots of freash veg & fruit and Sunday roasts, if you want any recipes I'd be happy to share xx
I only use Maldon Sea Salt it is in flakes and has a wonderful flavour, you don't need much. I pinch it in my fingers n crush it. I still eat Marmite, but only once a week approx. The dietician is happy about this. I steer clear of prepared meals, processed foods and savoury snacks.
If you're on potassium-sparing diuretics I.e Spironolactone, avoid LoSalt as it contains a TON of Potassium. And too much potassium (hyperkalemia) can be very bad for you!
Home made beef stew with no added salt, and mashed potatoes made with unsalted butter, for dinner yesterday.
Mushroom omelette with chips tonight I think, all without added salt ☺
