[Sara Arell]

Hi All -

Just wondering if anyone had any good recipes for dishes that require no salt, no canned anything, and very low in fat content for Rich's new diet program - I am eating the same things I cook for him to make it easier for him - so far I've done okay - but just okay - things that he usually loves just don't taste the same and I just can't fix them by adding salt since it is against doc's orders.

I have scoured the internet and found some that sound good but wondering if there are any out there that some of you have tried and liked? I am looking for a cookbook to help but haven't found what I want so far.

I would guess that it would be fairly similar in many ways to a diabetic diet.

Any ideas would be appreciated - thanks,Sara

[Heatheranne]

Hi Sara - do a search for Heart and Stroke Recipes and you'll find tons of threads for heart healthy recipes. Are you sure it's a no salt and not low salt, no fat? It's almost impossible to eat with no salt at all. You can get less in bread if you make it at home, but you do need to use some or the bread won't gluten right. For your old recipes you can try different herbs to help the missing flavour. There is a salt substitute that you can get as well, but you won't want to use a lot of it. As for you, I would ask the doctor if you should eat all the same stuff. Most people do need salt in their diets, so to cut it out when you're healthy could cause you problems. There are also low salt broths and broth powders that can be used in soups along with some herbs. It won't take long for the tastebuds to change and accept the new diet and in the meanntime, there should be a nutritionist that your doctor can hook you up with, who can answer your questions and offer suggestions. HTHs! :-)


When my grandkids are here, because I don't use salt when I cook, they add a little salad dressing (vinegarette) to their potatos. When I make baked potatos, especially on the bar-b-que, I use a little vinegarette with chopped onions and shredded cheese. It's a different flavour, but it's very good - in fact it's the way my kids make theirs now. I also use vinegarettes on bar-b-que and baked chicken (a little goes a long way).

This post has been edited by Heatheranne: 06 September 2010 - 08:47 AM

[Smiles]

I would also ask if the type of fat makes a difference. For instance, fish has a healthier fat than beef, which is why it's often recommended.
My DH's doctor recommended a mediterranean type diet, which uses more oils. I think getting some nutrition counseling would really help you.

[ArizonaAngel]

Sara, I've been trying new recipes just because I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthier. I love sweet potatoes and had been boiling and mashing then adding a little butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Better for me than regular mashed potatoes. But last night I tried something different. Homemade sweet potato fries. So easy and very yummy! I took one med-large sweet potato (it weighted about 15 oz after pealing), cut into pieces like steak fries. Put them into a zip lock bag with 1 teaspoon olive oil, a pinch of salt (I'm sure you could skip this without making any difference) and cinnamon (I didn't measure but you can use as much as you like, I'd guess I used about 1 teaspoon). Shake it all up until the cinnamon is evenly coating the fries. Place spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with Pam cooking spray and bake at 425 for 10 minutes, turn and bake 10 more minutes. They were so good I know I will make them over and over. I realize the recipe has olive oil but it is a healthy oil so you may check to see if it's OK, but it is much better than regular fries (and I love fries). Good luck finding recipes and I hope you share them here!

[B&K Mom]

Sweet potato fries are also very tasty with olive oil, garlic powder and/or onion powder and a pinch of cayenne. It's a burst of flavor that even my sweet potato disliking husband loves.

We've gotten into substituting lentils for ground beef in many recipes. They are a great protein and have no fat unto themselves. We have some great recipes that I'd be happy to add here if you'd like. They do use some canned items (like tomatoes that can be purchased low-salt), but you could use fresh also. Our very favorite is Lentil Tacos. We cook the lentils in beef bullion (lo salt) to give it a little more meaty taste. They are TDF! We like them better than regular beef tacos. WE also like Pakistani curry which has rich flavors but very little fat/salt. We also use black beans a lot for protein with rice. Rather than buying canned, I just cook up a batch on the stove top/crock pot (a huge batch), then portion them into freezer bags (2 cups per) and put them in the freezer. I try to under cook them just a bit to make them not so "smooshy" when the thaw.

There are LOTS of good recipes out there. I just did a search on Allrecipes.com and put in "Heart Healthy" and got 517 recipes back. Don't know how good they are, but I get LOTS of recipes off there. Great reviews with ideas to alter recipes to make them better too.

You can do this Sara. IT's a bit overwhelming at first, but in time it will be better. Blessing on you and Rich.

[no_idea]

What a great thread! There are so many good places for recipes from the internet, bookstore, or library. I have been "eating clean" for a while now and it is terrific. My favourite place for new recipes is The Clean Eating Magazine.

This would be a great theme for the recipe exchange!

[no_idea]

Tonight I am making potato leek soup for supper. It's just chicken stock, leeks, potatoes and seasoning.

I use no salt added stock, you can use water. For seasoning skip the salt and use pepper, and thyme. A bit of lemon juice is nice too. We will have whole grain buns and a salad too.

[SandiC.]

Sara, most cardiac diets aren't no salt, but low salt. for the stricter version its a total of 2 grams sodium a day, less restricted is 4 grams/day. If he's taking part in a cardiac rehab program, see if there is a dietician who can help develop menus with foods you both like prepared in a healthy way. You need to become an expert label reader too, LOL. The American Heart Association has some great cookbooks out there. The one I have and love is the "No-Fad Diet". Browse your favorite online bookseller for lots of options. You might also browse the American Heart Association website, I bet they have some good info there too. Be very careful about salt substitutes, just because they don't use sodium chloride (table salt) some are potassium chloride and can cause dangerous elevations of potassium. I love the Mrs Dash (and similar store brand) seasonings and get fresh herbs to use too. Strong flavors like lemon and vinegar can really add some zip to dishes that sort of fool your taste buds into thinking "salted". Debbie is right about the fats in the diet, avoid trans fats and partially hydrolyzed fats...those are the baddies. And limit the other fats. Baking, broiling, grilling are the best ways to prepare. A healthy diet can taste wonderful, just not what so many of us are used to. It takes a bit of time to develop the taste for really healthy eating, but once you're used to it, the old way seems icky.

[BarbaraC1977]

Sara, you may also find some interesting substitutions help. Applesauce can often replace most or all fat, and adds some sweetness, too.

[KarinaS]

I use applesauce instead of oil when making cakes (a single serve "cup" of applesauce is usually just the right amount to replace the 1/3 cup of oil the box mixes usually call for) and you can NOT tell the difference! I think the cake might even be a bit more moist which I prefer to a "dry" cake.

I know lemon juice is helps some food seem to be "salty", but that would be added after, I guess (like on fish). Good luck - I bet you'll lose some weight (not that I'm saying you need it - LOL) with this "diet". I need to do SOMETHING to get back to eating healthier...

[BarbaraC1977]

Good call, Karina, on lemon juice. I find a few drops of lemon juice on eggs, after cooking, is a great substitute for salt; I still use pepper. Bonus--lemon juice helps you metabolize the iron in eggs. I wonder if it does that in other foods, too?

[sarabethp]

BarbaraC1977, on 08 September 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

Good call, Karina, on lemon juice. I find a few drops of lemon juice on eggs, after cooking, is a great substitute for salt; I still use pepper. Bonus--lemon juice helps you metabolize the iron in eggs. I wonder if it does that in other foods, too?

Any vitamin C, which is in lemon juice, helps the body metabolize the iron.

[Sara Arell]

What great ideas - thank you all.

Lemon juice and applesauce - I learn something new every day - I just printed all of this out for future reference and am going to look for those books, Sandi - thank you so much - I have been scouring the internet and found some things but need to find things I know he will eat and LIKE! Funny, I have had no problem at all with the low salt/no salt thing in the dishes I have prepared - I find them not so bad at all - I think his tastebuds are a little bit off right now too - had special tacos tonight - made just for him - and he did enjoy those and my son didn't even notice the differences in the way I fixed them - I had to laugh - bought some Tilapia today for tomorrow night and I love the idea of the sweet potato "fries" - that just happens to be one of Rich's fav foods - of course cooked the way the restaurants cook them in all that awful grease, but I think he will like them fixed the way you have suggested here too -

Thank you all so much for all of the suggestions and great ideas! We see the surgeon for follow up tomorrow and I have a whole list of questions ready!

[jenrou]

I'm trying to cook healthier also. Until I go to the Dr., I think salt is causing my high blood pressure, so I am using the lo salt products, and putting Mrs. Dash in a grinder before I use it.
It really is a balancing act between the diabetes II, high blood pressure, etc. I'm trying to find recipes to help with that. Luckily, my husband will eat most things cooked healthier.

My daughter's family has pretty much gone vegetarian and she has been able to stop taking her blood pressure meds, and has lost a dress size. Her husband choked on steak, and it has turned them off meat for most of their meals.

Good luck with your new healthier cooking, Sara.

Jean