Ask Dr. Gourmet

Are there salt substitutes without high potassium levels?

I have diabetes and high blood pressure and am looking for a salt substitute. I bought NoSalt, but the label said people with diabetes or high blood pressure should not use that. What are others without the high potassium level?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

I don't much like salt substitutes, to be honest. We have tested a few and they just aren't all that great. You are correct that most are made of some variation on potassium salts, and this can pose a problem for some folks who have health issues where they need to limit potassium. Worse yet, most salt substitutes leave a funny metallic aftertaste in the mouth.

I much prefer that folks learn about sodium and salt so they can manage their sodium intake without using substitutes. Depending on your specific issues, limiting sodium to between 1,500 and 2,000 milligrams is what most doctors recommend. By keeping track of your sodium intake you can still enjoy your food and not have to worry about using replacements for salt. The good news is that there is good evidence that over time your taste buds will learn to need less sodium in your food for foods to taste salty enough to you.

It's important to know how to read food labels and there's more about salt here:

Hold the Salt : The Dr. Gourmet Diet Plan Coaching Essays

How to Look at Sodium on Food Labels : The Dr. Gourmet Diet Plan Coaching Essays

You can find more information on low sodium diets in our section on Eating Healthy on Low Sodium (Salt) Diets.

Every recipe on the Dr. Gourmet website has information on the amount of sodium in each dish.

Thanks for writing,
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet