Spice Up Food Without Salt
An important instruction into renal diet is to restrict salt. The absence of salt in diet decreases the flavour in your foods, so you can add “extra flavour” using spices and herbs to your food. Spices are used in its dried form, either whole or ground, and herbs are used fresh or dried. They increase the natural flavours of foods and a little goes a long way. Spices and herbs should be stored in a cool dry place in airtight containers to prevent flavour loss.
Many flavours may be combined. Create your own flavour combinations. Here is a list of spices and foods to get you started:
| Herbs & Spices | Household Measure | Suggested Uses |
| ALLSPICE | 1 tsp | Pot roast, Fish, eggs, Squash, Fruit, Relishes. |
| ANISE | 2-3 pcs | Cookies, Cakes, Bread, Candy, Beverages, Beef stew, Stewed fruits, Fish, Shellfish. |
| BASIL | 3-4 sprig | Noodles, Rice, Beef stew, Pork, Meat loaf, Duck, Fish, Veal, Salads, Cooked vegetables, Omelettes, Dressings. |
| BAY LEAF | 4pcs | Soups, Chowders, Seafood, Pot roast, Stews. |
| BLACK PEPPER | 1 tsp | Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs, Vegetables. |
| CARAWAY SEED | 1 tsp | Green beans, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Meat dishes/stews, Marinades, Cakes, Cookies, Rice, Rye bread. |
| CARDAMON | 1/2 tsp | Baked goods, Grape jelly, Puddings, Squash, Fruit soups. |
| CELERY SEED | 1 tsp | Salads, Vegetables, Stuffing, Breads, Egg dishes, Meat and fish dishes/stews, Soups, Marinades, Dressings, Dips. |
| CHILI POWDER | 1 tsp | Barbecue sauces, Dips, Egg dishes, Meat and Chicken dishes, Marinades. |
| MACE | 1/2 tsp | Baked goods, Fruits, Meat, Fish, Poultry, Chowder, Vegetables, Jellies. |
| MARJORAM | ½ tsp | Meats, Poultry, Fish, Sausages, Stews, Carrots, Broccoli, Pizza, Spaghetti, Eggplant, Soup. |
| MINT | 2sprig | Punch, Tea, Desserts, Sauce, Jelly, Fruit, Edible garnish. |
| MUSTARD (DRY) | 1 tsp | Egg and Cheese dishes, Salad dressings, Meat, Poultry, Vegetables. |
| MUSTARD SEED | 1 tsp | Coleslaw, Boiled cabbage. |
| NUTMEG | ½ tsp | Hot beverages, Puddings, Custards, Baked goods, Desserts, Chicken, Cream soups, Seafood, Eggs, Vegetables. |
| ONION POWDER | 2 tbsp | Dips, Soups, Stews, All meats, Fish, Poultry, Salads, Vegetables, Stuffing, Egg dishes, Breads, Rice dishes. |
| OREGANO | 1 tsp | Pasta dishes, Pizza, Barbecue sauce, Vegetables, Eggs, Stuffing, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Fish. |
| PAPRIKA | 1 tsp | Meat, Sausage, Fish, Poultry, Egg dishes, Vegetables, Garnishing. |
| PARSLEY | 1 tbsp | Soups, Meat sauces, Stuffing, Fish, Meats, Poultry, Garnishing. |
| POPPY SEED | 1 tbsp | Pie crust, Fruit compotes, Fruit salad dressings, Cookies, Cakes, Breads, Garnishing. |
| POULTRY SEASONING | 1 tbsp | Stuffing, Poultry, Veal meat loaf, Chicken soup |
| RED PEPPER | 1 whole | Meats, Soups, Sauce, Poultry, Vegetables, Spaghetti sauce, Curried dishes, Dips, Tamale pie, Barbecued beef and pork. |
| ROSEMARY | 1 tsp | Lamb, Poultry, Veal, Beef, Pork, Fish, Soups, Stews, Marinades, Stuffing, Breads, Dressings. |
| SAFFRON | ¼ tsp | Chicken, Fish, Seafood, Soups, Stews, Rice. |
| SAGE | 1 tsp | Stuffing, Poultry, Sauce, Soups, Fish, Beef, Pork, Veal. |
| SESAME SEED | 1 tsp | Edible garnish for salads, Breads, Meat dishes. |
| TARRAGON | 1 tsp | Sauces, Dressings, Poultry, Fish, Egg dishes |
| THYME | 1 tsp | Meats, Poultry, Fish, Stews, Soups, Vegetables. |
| TUMERIC | 1 tsp | Curried meats, Fish, Poultry, Egg dishes, Colouring for Cakes and Rice dishes. |
| WHITE PEPPER | 1 tsp | White sauces or any dish where black specks are undesirable. |
Note: Do not treat this article as the sole source of information, kindly consult your Nephrologist/ Nutritionist before making any changes in your daily diet regime.