Your dad has high blood pressure. He’s supposed to lower his sodium intake, but you catch him salting everything. You’ve hidden the salt, but he found it. How do you get your dad to stop salting the foods you serve?
Get Rid of the Salt
The easiest way is to remove salt from the home. This may not be appealing to you if your blood pressure is fine, but it’s an important step for your dad’s health. If there is no salt in the home, he can’t use it.
If he can’t live without salt, look at some of the salt substitutes like kelp granules or potassium chloride blends like No Salt or Nu-Salt. Talk to your dad’s doctor before you switch to a potassium chloride blend to make sure it’s okay for him to use it.
Replace Salt With Herb and Spice Blends
To replace salt, you need to add flavor. You’ve seen Mrs. Dash blends in the stores. Those are exactly the type of blend you’re looking for. Save money and make them yourself. Dried citrus peel, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, basil, and dill are all strong flavors.
The mix you create would depend on the food or cuisine you’re pairing it with. For example, seafood does well with garlic, lemon, and dill. Mexican dishes need cumin or cumin seed, chilies, smoked paprika, and garlic. Be creative and note which blends your family loves.
Use Fresh Herbs
Grow fresh herbs. Chop them and use them to flavor pasta and potato salads. Add them to stir-fries and soups. You can also use them to garnish the dishes you’re about to serve to your dad.
Aim for some of the more strongly flavored herbs like mint, basil, thyme, and oregano. Switch up the varieties for the best range of flavor. Thai basil has a slight anisette flavor compared to regular basil. Lemon basil has strong citrus notes.
Keep Fresh Citrus Fruits in the Refrigerator
On some dishes, you can squeeze lemon, lime, or orange juice over the item to enhance flavor. Some fresh lemon on grilled salmon or lime juice on a chicken breast brings the flavor to life. Your dad won’t miss the salt.
You need support, too. With respite care from a home care services agency, you get to take breaks when needed. Caregivers can take over while you socialize, run errands, or relax. The home care services agency can make this a routine with caregivers stopping by weekly or arrange services every now and then. Talk to a specialist to make arrangements.