Since I went on a low sodium diet due to heart failure and kidney disease, I have been searching for a salt substitute that I like, while avoiding anything with chemical content. I have tried Mrs. Dash table blend, etc., and it's okay but not real satisfactory for me. The best so far appears to be Dak, Green Zest, but I was hoping you all could share what perhaps you use and I would be able to make some comparisons. I continue to appreciate this community and the freedom to ask questions and your willingness to share.
Thank you,
Cree
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Aidancree
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I also use a combo of herbs and spices, especially garlic and lemon juice or lemon pepper. You can also find granulated lemon powder at the grocery store. Mediterranean dishes are great for many diseases, especially heart disease.
I use Benson's Table Tasty and it's wonderful. No potassium or potassium chloride. It's a combination of many spices used make a salt free product - spices I would have to combine myself to make a suitable blend. Timesaver for sure. Love the stuff!
Bensonsgourmetseasonings.com or Amazon.com. the price is the same on both sites, except if you are Amazon Prime there is no charge for postage. I am end stage kidney disease, and I swear by Benson's spices, especially Table Tasty.
Learning to eat without sat sometimes takes time, especially if you were a heavy salt eater before. Ask your doctor or a nutritionist exactly how much salt you are allowed. You need some and you cannot truly get away from salt. It is in everything. Then track your food on a food tracker and see how much you are consuming. You might be surprised that you can have some added salt. As someone who cooks, certain foods need salt for a chemical reaction. But I do not add it just for flavor.
Stay away from packaged foods, canned and frozen meals.
I use as much fresh herbs as I can on food. I am lucky to have space to grow them outdoors and then I actually bring them in to a sunny room in the winter. Some grocery stores also sell fresh herbs. I harvest my herbs and then freeze them. I make ice cubes with herbs in them such as basil and chives. I add those herb bombs to stews and soups and sauces. The difference in the taste of fresh herbs is amazing.
Adding heat sometimes can mask less salt, so adding hot spices, or fresh hot peppers can help. I have a spicy oregano that is great. Try using more black pepper as a regular addition too. For salads, I use a vinegar spray to spritz that adds a nice bite and helps with less salt. Its good on veggies too.
Thanks for the good ideas. If do use can goods with low sodium, do wash them. Also there is iodized salt and sea salt. In my CKD diet am allowed some salt.
Thanks much. Some good ideas. I found Organic Vinaigrette Rose at Trader Joe's in a 12 oz bottle with 8.0 mg sodium per two tablespoons which I find very good as a salad dressing
My cabinets are full of very spice you can imagine! (Except salt) I started putting garlic powder on almost everything. You should just stock up on a bunch of spices and try them all out and before you know it, you won’t even care for salt anymore. At least that’s my experience!
My best advice is to track your sodium consumption. I rarely cooked with processed or canned goods even before I was diagnosed with CKD. My nephrologist gave me a daily range for sodium intake. I put the low end of that amount in a little container and use it throughout the day in my cooking and to season the finished dish. Of course I add in to my count any naturally occurring sodium in foods. As mentioned above, I cook using other spices and herbs. When my sodium count reaches my mid-range, that's it for the day. There are many easy ways to track your food counts. I use the My Fitness Pal app.
Thanks for the suggestions. My cardiologist told me to go on a low sodium diet since a lower functioning heart has a tendency to cause your body to retain more fluid, putting more pressure on your heart and he told me the sodium will also add to fluid retention with potentially negative implications.
No diabetes. No heart disease. Heart failure with intial 20% EJ, now 40%. Doc said could have been cause by virus and then heart could have cause kidney issue with less blood. No protein in urine so no kidney damage. Taking cardiac rehab and walking 3 miles most days. Thanks for your intest.
I also had heart failure from a virus most likely Covid when it first came out no tests, not drugs yet 3/2020. Never got over it and ended up with issues. After tests they found kidney failure. Six months later heart failure. I was on PD 16 months.
I took entestro heart popped back to normal 4 months later. Still normal past two echos, never enlarged just low ej fracture down to 35%. Also no defibrillator probably because they know hearts can heal from viruses.
Miracles happen by the grace of God. I had a transplant once the heart healed.
12/14/21. Still in first year. I am now borderline diabetes I think due to prednisone. I am nervous because still on entresto which can cause kidney issues. Would like to get off but my doctor feels I need it.
Thanks for sharing your journey Porter 20. Sounds like you have made great progress. Hang in there. I am trying hard not to "feed" my kidneys and extra stuff and still stay healthy. I am stable at 3a but I now also battling prostate cancer with targeted radiation and hormone treatments. 10 more treatments to go out of 43 and boy will I be glad when they are over. They have not been kind to me. I remain positive. peace Aiden
thanks but I am trying to stay away from anything chemical and don't want to go overboard on postassium, altho I know that is hard. Wishing you the best. Cree
Got to remember that each person is different with different medical needs. In your case, your doctor didn't suggest it, but in Cree' s case and whole medical health, the doctor advised that salt or added salt should be minimized.
Kidney patients are advised to consume between 1500 - 2000mg of salt daily.
Have you checked with your cardiologist and nephrologist as well as a dietician as to whether or not the sodium substitutes are okay to use; especially with your kidneys?
I know that you may be missing the added taste right now, but try some great spices and trust me over time you won't miss it.
You get sodium naturally through foods.
I add red wine vinegar and a touch of olive oil to my roasted vegetables which have onion and garlic powders on them, organic smokey paprika and some times a bit of turmeric.
I roast them in the oven @ 425 degrees until cooked..fabulous and don't miss the salt a bit.
I use Benechol Lite spread which is plant based. Low sodium and delicious!
We do need salt in our diets as the essential minerals in salt act as important electrolytes in the body. They help with fluid balance, nerve transmission and muscle function.
It is in many foods such as bread, yogurt, vegetables etc. I read the labels. ( many Indian foods as well) I don't cook with salt or add additional. All good!
Clarification Fatbuddy. My kidney disease is graded a stable 3a, and has been for a while. That is one reason I am being very careful with sodium intake, and minimizing to usually 1500 mg or less. A nephrologist told me we really only needed about 500 mg. daily.. I am not doing much exercise through these radiation treatments for prostate cancer because they have zapped me of strength but will return when they are completed. Thanks for the communications. Cree
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