kidney diet

[Purplepuzzle]

I need to follow a renal diet. I have 2 cookbooks, the recipes are use all kinds of herbs and spices that I have never cooked with and have not enjoyed many of the recipes. I am used to eating plain foods. No sauces, no herbs blander foods.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi, Using spices is a personal thing. Just don't use them if you do not like them. Most people are so used to using too much salt in their foods so when you take away salt, the food tastes bland. Hence the use of spices to flavor stuff. If you are happy with food as it is, good for you. But it can also be fun to try new spices and herbs for flavor. I personally can't live with out garlic and pepper. But I also grow my own herbs and there is nothing better than fresh basil in a salad or with pasta or spicy oregano over cauliflower.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I love using different spices. Before my transplant I discovered some new flavors by using spices I had never used before. I was not salting my food so used new spices for added flavor. I now eat Thai, Korean, and a lot more Italian food than I would have prior. Just try...it may open up a whole new food world for you.

[Sophiebun11]

I'm a purist with my food. You can follow the recipes and leave out any herbs or spices you don't like. I eat everything with just a pinch of sea salt and butter. I've been allergic to onions and garlic my entire life. People always ask me how I can cook without onions or garlic. Simple, just leave it out of the recipe. I don't use any herbs or spices either.

That's the beauty of dining at home and cooking your own food. You can make it to taste. A recipe is merely a guideline.