Low sodium meals don’t have to be flavorless! Thinking outside the salt shaker can yield some results that are both healthy and delicious. Here are a few little flavor boosters that are perfect for any low sodium diet, and for those looking to reduce their sodium intake.
Sodium Substitutes
It’s hard to talk about low sodium diets without talking about table salt substitutes. This option almost seems like cheating - the flavor of salt, without the sodium? There are many “light salt” and sodium substitutes on the market, if you’re not quite ready to part with that salty flavor. Of course, these substitutes don’t work for everyone and may not be the best option for a cardiac diet, so be sure to talk to your doctor before piling this stuff on your food.
Another downside of sodium substitutes is that while they might leave your food with a hint of saltiness, they don’t add any flavor. For full flavor in your meals without added salt, you might want to ditch the sodium substitute and look to the tips below.
Start with Aromatics
You may have noticed that many dishes start with a base of vegetables like onions, carrots, celery and peppers. These aromatics bring excellent flavor to dishes without adding any sodium at all. Garlic, ginger and lemongrass make a rich and flavorful base for a stir-fry, and sliced scallions and peppers will really make your salads sing! There are so many different flavor combinations to try, that you’ll never get bored.
For a simple way to get started using aromatics in your cooking, try covering meat or fish with a layer of sliced onions before roasting or grilling. This will bring loads of extra flavor without adding any salt.
Add Some Herbs and Spices
After you’ve got your aromatic base going, the next step to adding flavor to your meals without adding salt is to give the old spice rack a whirl. Herbs and spices can add so much flavor to a dish, without extra sodium. Add spices to the dish at the beginning of cooking, so that the flavors all mix in together. Dried herbs can be added towards the end of cooking, and fresh herbs can be chopped up and used to garnish a cooked dish.
Fresh spices will add a lot more flavor to a dish, so check the expiration date! Once opened, spices should be used within six months of purchase for maximum flavor. With so many spice mixes available on the market, it’s easy to recreate any style of cooking in your home kitchen! Just be sure to read the label, as many commercial spice mixes will contain some sodium.
A Little Acidity Goes a Long Way
If you’re looking to add a lot of flavor to vegetables, seafood or poultry, citrus is the key! Squeezing a wedge of lemon over a completed dish enhances the flavors and adds a nice zing, and you can add even more flavor by slicing up citrus wedges and arranging them on top of the dish before placing it in the oven.
Citrus zest (the colorful part of the rind) is another flavor booster. Simply sprinkle zest over cooked meats and vegetables for a simple and delicious meal upgrade. Citrus zest is also a great addition to homemade salad dressings, and can brighten up desserts as well.
Sometimes all a dish needs to round out the flavors, is a bit of acidity, but not every dish works perfectly with citrus. When lemon juice won’t work, a tablespoon of tomato paste, a dash of wine or a bit of vinegar can really enhance flavors without adding sodium or too much sugar.
Healthy Home Delivered Meals
If constantly cooking nutritionally balanced, low sodium meals seems daunting, the simplest way to enjoy flavorful food on a low sodium diet is to have your meals delivered! You can have low sodium meals delivered to your doorstep that work perfectly with a low salt diet, and taste delicious. Plus, say goodbye to all of that meal prep, and cleanup is a breeze! Having low sodium meals delivered is a sure way to meet your nutritional needs, as the meals are created specifically with a low sodium diet and cardiac diet in mind. Full flavor and a perfect nutritional profile are just one simple step away!
If you'd like more information about low sodium diets, read this article.
