A diagnosis of kidney disease often includes a recommendation for severely restricting your sodium intake. A salt-free diet helps your kidneys function better and reduces your thirst, which can lead to more fluid intake than diseased kidneys can process efficiently, according to the National Kidney Foundation. A salt-free diet does not mean that you have to endure bland, tasteless food.
Salt Substitutes
The salt substitutes available for consumers often contain large amounts of potassium, which can cause an electrolyte imbalance in your body that makes it more difficult for your kidney to process fluids. Simple substitutions, such as replacing garlic salt with granulated garlic and using onion flakes or powder instead of onion salt, will help get you started on a salt-free seasoning regime. Dried or fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, sage and thyme add flavor to your food without adding salt. Lemon and lime juice also give your taste buds a flavor sensation that reduces your taste for salt. Spices, such as paprika, nutmeg, cumin and ginger, are useful salt substitutes for meat and vegetables and fruit.
Food Labels
Avoiding salt in prepared and packaged foods is one of the trickiest parts of adopting a salt-free diet. You must read packaged food ingredients and nutritional labels. A no-sodium label identifies foods that contain 5 percent or less per serving of the recommended sodium intake for adult 2,000-calorie diets, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Foods that contain 140 mg per serving are low sodium, while very low sodium means that the food contains 35 mg or less per serving. Reduced sodium means that the food contains 25 percent less sodium than comparable products. In many cases, these products still contain much more sodium than is permissible for salt-free diets.
Hidden Sodium
Prepared soups and broths, baked goods, condiments such as mustard and barbecue sauce, soy sauce and salad dressings are often well above the five percent level. Crackers, baked goods and prepared pancake mixes often contain more sodium per serving than recommended for people on salt-free diets. Dairy products such as cheese and butter, smoked or cured meats, canned vegetables and pickled or brined foods usually contain large amounts of sodium.
Eating Out
Limit your visits to fast food eateries where you will have difficulty finding menu items that do not have added or hidden salt. In family-style and upscale restaurants, scan the menu for choices that the restaurant identifies as heart-healthy. They often have less added salt or no sauces. Tell your server to ask the chef to prepare your food without salt and to serve sauces, gravy and salad dressings on the side instead of on your food. Request lemon or limes served with your meal and use them for your salad instead of dressing and for your food. Leave your share of the bread in the basket and order a fresh vegetable or fruit appetizer instead of soup.
