A confession

[jflorax]

I have ADPKD and I'm a salt-aholic. I love salt! Cutting back is so hard. Everything tastes so bland without salt. I sometimes sneak salt when my husband isn't looking. I know I'm only hurting myself. but someone please send me some tricks to get off my salt addiction!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Try using lemon juice or vinegar when you can for salt flavor. Use strong herbs like basil and oregano. Spice will help you miss the salt so use red pepper flakes or other strong peppers. I switched to using a lot more black pepper and that helped.

You need some salt in your diet. But most foods have salt so adding more is never a good idea, especially with CKD. I too loved salt. I cut it out slowly and now I cannot stand salty foods

[drmind]

I understand because there are days when I crave something salty and I might indulge. However, I went ahead and made an effort to stop eating salty things and it wasn't fun. As you said, everything tasted "blah" and boring. But, after a few weeks, I started to not mind it as much and began to taste the different flavors in the food. Now, when I eat something new, I'm surprised at how salty it is -- something I never noticed before. Wow, everyday foods contain so much salt and now I recognize that! Also, as someone else suggested, experiment woth with spices. There are several with lemon that are very tasty, such as, lemon pepper. Just go salt-free for awhile and see how different and great food starts to taste.

to eat salty items and

[MToQ]

Cutting sodium is SO HARD. But once you get used to it, foods natural flavors shine more. I use "Naples drizzle" brand of balsamic glaze. It's just concentrated with no added sugar and barely any sodium. It is pretty delicious on anything. Meats, salads, grilled veggies, eggs, potatoes, etc... You can order on Amazon or directly thru them. On their site, they have a white glaze, which is really good on air popcorn. You can use the regular but I like keeping the popcorn white. I know it sounds weird but it's very tasty. My young child likes it, too. No salt or butter needed.

I also used to caramelize a batch of onions and use it throughout the week. Tastes incredible in turkey sandwiches (I also love adding arugula), with grilled meats, etc. Make some rice, fry an egg or two, add the carmelized onions, a touch of balsmic glaze...you have one delicious meal or snack.

And same with garlic. Make a batch of garlic confit. Yummy!

If you like curry/ginger/tumeric, sprinkle that on meat or roasted veggies. Tons of flavor...and as others have mentioned, add some heat. Red pepper flakes, fresh diced chilis, chipotle, serrano...so many options and distinctive flavor profiles.

Cilantro, scallions and ginger are often used all together in Chinese cooking. Great with fish. Adds lots of flavor.

Good luck!

[OldTownhammock]

I am not perfect, no one is but this worked for me: ear all but your last bite with no salt Sprinkle a little salt on your last bite.

[jflorax in reply to OldTownhammock]

I've totally been doing that! 😂

[RunBrianRun]

I’m absolutely no expert or doctor so please ask a med pro first BUT MSG is a low sodium alternative and might work for you.

[Parkwarrior]

Eliminate salt from food when you're cooking it, because the food absorbs it and the taste is lost. Then sprinkle whatever salt you are allowed for each meal on the food at the table. It will remain on top of the food and your tongue will taste it as you eat. You'll get the pleasure of it without going over your quota.

[PecanSandie]

I feel the same way about salt. I love it so much but stopped using it about five years ago. I know this is probably hard to believe but salt masks the taste of food. Once you get used to not using it, food actually tastes better. I don't use it at all when I cook and even my husband is now used to eating things without salt. Good news is that there are lots of "reduced salt" or "no salt" products now on the market. There are also salt "substitutes" like Benson's Table Tasty and Dash Table Blend. ALWAYS read the labels when buying at the supermarket -- I am so shocked when I notice how much sodium is in the canned and prepared foods we buy.

[FelineFandom146]

Hello! I completely understand. I love salt and my favorite snack is Wise Potato Chips. I try my best not to eat them and wind up eating some every now and then rather than eating a whole bag at one time. This is saying something for me because I used to do that. I also no longer cook with salt. I also regularly try to purchase low or no sodium items. As others have said, giving it up is difficult, but with time and resistance it can be done. If others can do it, you can do it. One item I found that is a great substitute to help with salt cravings is buying low sodium Lay's chips and low sodium Pringles. I find using herbs and spices I like such as garlic, turmeric and chili powder add zest to my meals and cooking. Lemon juice is another good seasoning. I like it on rice and tuna. I also like to make up my own spice combos to replace salt. One combo I discovered that is great for scrambled eggs instead of salt is a bit of chili powder with garlic powder. Food just tastes better without salt. Good Luck and best wishes on your CKD journey. We're here to help each other. Don't be afraid to reach out. We're all learning something new together too. Warning: Be very careful with salt substitutes and do check with your Nephrologist before using them. Some are worse than salt depending on what is causing your CKD. In the beginning of my battle with CKD before I knew it was PKD, it was all right for me to use salt substitutes due to fluctuating potassium levels known at Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. Once it was discovered I also had ADPKD, I could not longer use it due to the danger of raising my potassium too much.

[PecanSandie in reply to FelineFandom146]

I am a big chip fan also. Try Cape Cod Potato Chips with 60% less salt. Also Southeast Grocers (Win Dixie) makes a NO salt chip and they are really really good.

[FelineFandom146 in reply to PecanSandie]

Thanks fellow chip fan. Cape Cod PC are okay for me. I prefer Pringles. Nowhere near a Winn Dixie so can't try those. Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated!

[FelineFandom146]

Hello! I completely understand. I love salt and my favorite snack is Wise Potato Chips. I try my best not to eat them and wind up eating some every now and then rather than eating a whole bag at one time. This is saying something for me because I used to do that. I also no longer cook with salt. I also regularly try to purchase low or no sodium items. As others have said, giving it up is difficult, but with time and resistance it can be done. If others can do it, you can do it. One item I found that is a great substitute to help with salt cravings is buying low sodium Lay's chips and low sodium Pringles. I find using herbs and spices I like such as garlic, turmeric and chili powder add zest to my meals and cooking. Lemon juice is another good seasoning. I like it on rice and tuna. I also like to make up my own spice combos to replace salt. One combo I discovered that is great for scrambled eggs instead of salt is a bit of chili powder with garlic powder. Food just tastes better without salt. Good Luck and best wishes on your CKD journey. We're here to help each other. Don't be afraid to reach out. We're all learning something new together too. Warning: Be very careful with salt substitutes and do check with your Nephrologist before using them. Some are worse than salt depending on what is causing your CKD. In the beginning of my battle with CKD before I knew it was PKD, it was all right for me to use salt substitutes due to fluctuating potassium levels known at Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. Once it was discovered I also had ADPKD, I could not longer use it due to the danger of raising my potassium too much.

[03Springer]

Yes, it's a hard one. What helped me was stopping "adding" salt to my food, then slowly looking at the nutritional values and just trying to play it safe. Hot sauce, peppers are great and add that pizzaz for me. I cook different meals with it and it gives me just the right spice. Make your own so you can control what you put in, salt, and enjoy the different flavors. But yeah, it is very hard. Once able to scale way back, I started to just add a pinch here and there and it was and is amazing and acceptable. All in moderation!

That's my take!