A great opportunity has come my way. I have the privilege of working as a Nutrition Editor for the website http://foodpicker.org This site is dedicated to educating you to make nutritious food choices, but it will also prove to be beneficial if you seek information on diabetes. Be sure to visit if you require the wisdom of a reliable source, particularly to make Nutrition/Diabetes decisions. I adore the fact that it is user friendly. On the left hand side you there is a list of food categories. By clicking on one of them, you are led to specific types of foods within that food category and then you can click on each one to learn more nutritional information. My favorite part is the addition of Nutrition Facts on the right hand side of the page. It pops up after you have selected your ingredient. Go to "Diabetes Q&A" if you have questions relevant to the disease. You can also ask questions by e-mailing diabetes@foodpicker.org.
Here is a recent question that was asked:
"I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Some one suggested I try “Original No Salt” which is Sodium-free instead of salt. Is it a safe alternative for my use?"
Answer:
If you just read the last post then you know there is a connection between high blood pressure and salt consumption. This product, "Original No Salt" is essentially a salt substitute. Or, a salt alternative. This means it does not contain the mineral sodium chloride. However, can you guess what replaces it?
Potassium. Unlike sodium, potassium is a mineral which controls, blood pressure. Salt in high amounts increases blood pressure. Potassium is a much needed mineral because it helps balance the fluids in your body and it allows your nerves to create impulses. Think of nerve impulses as nerves who must "talk" to each other and work move a body part. When you type, thousands of your nerves "talk" to each other and are controlled by your brain to move your fingers while you are typing. Fruits and vegetables have the highest amount of potassium, but milk, whole grains, dried beans, and meat are also great sources.
Typically, Americans do not consume enough potassium but this does not imply that you never have too much potassium. Potassium intake can be toxic if the kidney's have difficulty functioning properly. If the kidneys do not function properly, potassium builds up in the blood, and this can potentially cause fatal damage. If you have kidney complications or you are on current medications, it is extremely wise to talk to your physician before using a salt-substitute to replace regular salt.
Alternatively, if your doctor permits then you can use a salt-substitute in moderation. Be sure to read the label on the salt-substitute. Labels that read "low-sodium" or "lite sodium" or "lite" still have salt in them, but a much smaller amount as compared to regular table salt. In this case, the product "Original No Salt" reads "sodium free". This means that the entire sodium content, the salt, has been swapped with potassium. Keep in mind that this is fine to have in moderation but if you completely rely on a salt-substitute for a salty flavor then you are consuming copious amounts of potassium and you are essentially putting yourself at risk.
Salt free is probably your best choice. The table salt that we consume has an essential mineral, iodine. To put this simply, iodine helps your thyroid gland to work. However, iodine depletion is unlikely because a typical North American diet has enough sodium. What I mean is that salt fortified with iodine contain the very important mineral iodine here in America. So you don't have to worry about completely depriving your body of iodine because you choose to go salt-free.
Because you have hypertension, why not simply decrease the amount of salt you consume to a minimum? If you can, cooking meals at home allows you to choose how much salt goes into your food. Lemon juice adds a fantastic tang to your food, you won't miss the salt. Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, or dill add a fresh hit of pungent flavor minus the salt. Salt-free seasonings and spices are your best friend here. Mrs. Dash spices are dedicated to producing only salt-free herbs. If you incorporate all of these pungent spices, fresh herbs, salt-free seasoning then most likely you will not need the salt because your food is already jam packed with flavor. This is much better than using a salt-substitute that "tastes" like salt, where as here, you can use these spices, herbs, and citrus to flavor your food, and if needed add a bit of salt. It's the best of both worlds.
There are fantastic recipes out there to sneak in more fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to find recipes that are nutritious but taste so good, that you don't even think of the word "healthy". As a diabetic you are keeping your sugar levels in check by eating different fruits and vegetables. If you're not a fan of these types of food, maybe it's the recipes or how you are cooking it that isn't working for you. Go out there and search for the types of foods you love to eat, that respect your body because it is lower in salt and full of vitamins and minerals which will keep you in good health.
Best wishes,
Priyanka
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