Salt Alternatives :(

[trex74]

so anyone got any favourite salt alternatives?
I know for sure i use too much, and for sure i get water retention, my rings fit one day, not the next.
I can't have salad without at least a pinch, and salty steak spiceon meat, and even on veg like broccoli.
i have gone so far to look at the salt alternatives in the store, but it got a bit depressing. lemon-herb, garlic and herb, i don't know, what's a good all-around substitute that won't taste like ass.
i am even a bit scared at the thought of going w/o the real deal
major salt shaker addict here.

 

[musclemom]

Ummmm, maybe you might want to read this thread ... http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/diet-bodybuilding/why-salt-bad-you-375646.html

See, I'm a total salt freak too. I've been know to use my entire daily allowance on one meal, seriously. I don't worry too much about water because my blood pressure is consistently normal. I figure if I crave it there must be a reason why

 

[RottenWillow]

so anyone got any favourite salt alternatives?
I know for sure i use too much, and for sure i get water retention, my rings fit one day, not the next.
I can't have salad without at least a pinch, and salty steak spiceon meat, and even on veg like broccoli.
i have gone so far to look at the salt alternatives in the store, but it got a bit depressing. lemon-herb, garlic and herb, i don't know, what's a good all-around substitute that won't taste like ass.
i am even a bit scared at the thought of going w/o the real deal
major salt shaker addict here.

You're right there is no good imitation salt. They are all vile.

If you really need to go saltless though you need to start exploiting all the wonderful array of spices available. I tend to use pepper and garlic a lot. Try picking up several of those tiny .5oz sizes at the supermarket of anything with which you'd like to experiment. Some stuff is awesome on fish, others on turkey, and still others on poultry. (for ex poppyseed rocks my face on poultry)

One thing I guarantee you though. If you go cold turkey on the salt, your taste bud sensitivity will skyrocket. You'll begin to be able to taste the relatively tiny amounts of naturally occurring salt found in unprocessed wholesome foods and you'll find you won't feel the need to grab the shaker. Sounds like pure BS but seriously it does work out like that.

 

[shirlene29]

I can second pepper...i really like pepper in place of salt


and the salt/tastebud "detox"

im like this with salt and sugar now and find both somewhat gross on or in most things after goin cold turkey

EXCEPT when it comes to buttery popcorn...gots to have the salt then...but this is my only salt vice

 

[Captain FT]

My wife and I would have the same problem as well, especially when it came to going out to get sushi. Even the low sodium soy would blow us up (not to mention a boatload of raw fish and rice).

For sushi and my veggies I've been using vinegar. Mostly rice wine vinegar but I've found some flavored ones too like a fig infused, pear infused etc. The problem is my wife hates vinegar so it doesn't help her at all. I personally like it so if you don't mind vinegar give it a try, just make sure its low or no sugar if you get flavored ones.

For an entire meal of sushi and a side of steamed broccoli, i barely go through two tablespoons of vinegar. Just dip in moderation.

 

[trex74]

thanks soooooooooooo much for the input, MM i'm going to read that thread right now.
RW wow poppy seed on poultry? that's cool, i like poppy seeds a lot.
shirlene-yes i love pepper too, maybe if i get better pepper than the stuff i have now it'll work out, like a 3 peppercorn blend or something.
CaptainFT, yah i like vinegar a lot, i have never tried it with broccoli though HUH I'll try it cause i like lemon on brocc too.
I feel better...

 

[trex74]

Ummmm, maybe you might want to read this thread ... http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/diet-bodybuilding/why-salt-bad-you-375646.html

See, I'm a total salt freak too. I've been know to use my entire daily allowance on one meal, seriously. I don't worry too much about water because my blood pressure is consistently normal. I figure if I crave it there must be a reason why

ooooooook
so I am drinking 64 oz water, plus three herbal teas which is probably not enough water hence the retention.
I actually am not eworried about the blood pressure thing because I have always had normal BP.
I think i am still going to try not to use it QUITE so much because i really am a freak for it, but also use your ideas, i get so much smarter every time i'm here.

 

[Captain FT]

ooooooook
so I am drinking 64 oz water, plus three herbal teas which is probably not enough water hence the retention.
I actually am not eworried about the blood pressure thing because I have always had normal BP.
I think i am still going to try not to use it QUITE so much because i really am a freak for it, but also use your ideas, i get so much smarter every time i'm here.

If I know I'm going to have a salty meal, I usually try to drink distilled water. It seems to help flush me quicker and I don't feel as bloated or get sausage fingers.

 

[musclemom]

ooooooook
so I am drinking 64 oz water, plus three herbal teas which is probably not enough water hence the retention.
I actually am not eworried about the blood pressure thing because I have always had normal BP.
I think i am still going to try not to use it QUITE so much because i really am a freak for it, but also use your ideas, i get so much smarter every time i'm here.

64 oz of water ... aaaaaah, there's your problem! You gotta double that, hon. That's why you're holding water.

I ended up just keeping one of the plastic gallon jugs from milk and I fill that every morning. I know I have to consume all but one glass of that before 9:00 p.m. (or forget sleeping through the night). Since it's plastic, I can see how much I have left to drink so I can gauge whether I need to pick up the pace or not I finish the last glass with my morning vitamins the next day and start the process all over again.

Yes, I pee my brains out. Supposedly you eventually utilize it better, but I've been drinking a gallon of water (or nearly so) every day for I don't know how long and I still pee like clockwork, every hour or so. Maybe that's how I utilize it, I dunno. I stopped caring. I figure it keeps my kidneys nice and fresh *sigh*

 

[trex74]

64 oz of water ... aaaaaah, there's your problem! You gotta double that, hon. That's why you're holding water.

I ended up just keeping one of the plastic gallon jugs from milk and I fill that every morning. I know I have to consume all but one glass of that before 9:00 p.m. (or forget sleeping through the night). Since it's plastic, I can see how much I have left to drink so I can gauge whether I need to pick up the pace or not I finish the last glass with my morning vitamins the next day and start the process all over again.

Yes, I pee my brains out. Supposedly you eventually utilize it better, but I've been drinking a gallon of water (or nearly so) every day for I don't know how long and I still pee like clockwork, every hour or so. Maybe that's how I utilize it, I dunno. I stopped caring. I figure it keeps my kidneys nice and fresh *sigh*

Oh jeez OK lolololol