Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure.
Even though salt, also known as sodium, is necessary for proper function of muscles and nerves in the body, too much is not healthy. The human body uses salt to regulate blood pressure and volume, but in people with a sensitivity to it, it may lead to high blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure are typically advised to avoid salt. Use alternative seasonings to mask the lack the sodium.
Meat
All types of meat work well with seasonings such as bay leaves, pepper, curry powder, garlic, oregano, sage, thyme, cayenne and vinegar. When cooking beef, regardless of cooking method, try using allspice, dill, garlic or chili powder. Lamb is complimented by cinnamon, sage, celery seed, celery leaves and curry. Cinnamon, garlic, onion, ginger, thyme and coriander are well-suited for pork, while majoram, oregano, bay leaf and ginger top the list for veal.
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Poultry and Fish
Poultry and fish tend to be lighter, with more subtle flavors than other types of meat. Avoid using salt to flavor chicken by replacing it with tumeric, sesame seeds, poultry seasoning, celery leaves, dill or ginger. In addition to the others mentioned, fish is seasoned nicely with fennel, dry mustard, lemon juice, dill and paprika.
Vegetables
Give your ordinary vegetables a kick with a dash of caraway, vinegar, lemon juice, basil, nutmeg or sage. Also, never be afraid to combine vegetables while cooking to mix the natural flavors together, rather than relying on seasonings. For example, combine corn with green peppers, chili peppers and black beans for a spicy corn relish without the added salt. Consider grilling a packet of vegetables such as potatoes, yellow squash, asparagus and onion with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pat of unsalted butter to combine the fresh taste of each.
Other Foods
Baking homemade bread makes the house smell wonderful and gives a feeling of warmth, and salt is not necessarily a key ingredient. Leave out the salt and flavor the bread with caraway, mint, parsley, sesame seeds, garlic or dill.
Use extracts such as almond or vanilla for an added boost to fruits, or try something new like ginger, clove, cinnamon or poppy seed sprinkled over fresh fruit for a new twist.
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