How to Find a Salt Substitute without Potassium Chloride
Many people choose salt substitutes to reduce their sodium intake. Most salt substitutes contain potassium chloride, which can be a problem for individuals with health conditions such as kidney or liver disorders. Extra potassium also is contraindicated when people are taking certain medications, such as some drugs that reduce high blood pressure. It's tough to find anything else that tastes similar to salt, but some products can enhance the flavor of food as salt does.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Talk with your health care practitioner about salt substitutes. If you have a health condition, you may already be consulting with a doctor who has advised you to decrease your sodium intake. Your doctor can also put you in touch with a dietitian, who also can make recommendations.
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Check the shelves at health food stores and at natural food departments in large supermarkets for salt substitutes without potassium chloride. Talk with the health food store employees; they often are very knowledgeable and passionate about their work.
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Look for products advertised as salt-free seasoning blends, and check the labels to make sure they do not contain potassium chloride. These blends can help trick your taste buds into sensing salt because they enhance the flavor of food as salt does. Those with vegetable powders such as onion, celery, or carrot can be especially good for this.
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Choose products that contain salt but have significantly less sodium than table salt, if you must cut back on sodium but don't need to eliminate it altogether. Some salt products are available that cut sodium by one-third.
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Mix up a blend of herbs and spices for a salt substitute. Try using basil, dried celery, garlic, marjoram, onion powder, oregano, parsley, savory, and thyme, and see if this type of blend helps you get by without salt.
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