6 types of herbs and spices to replace sodium in your diet
Sodium may enhance the flavours of our meals, but too much of it is bad for our health — water retention, increase in blood pressure, feeling thirsty, just to name a few.
More Herbs, Less Salt Day, which was on 29 August, highlights how herbs can replace salt to help us achieve a healthier diet without making our foods bland.
Below are some flavourful herbs and spices you can use as salt-free seasonings for your meal prep.
1. Paprika
Paprika is made of a combination of dried sweet and hot peppers. Depending on the type of paprika, its taste ranges from mild and sweet to spicy to smoked. Apart from adding colour to a recipe, this crimson-coloured powder can be used to season poultry.
Nomu Ground Smoked Paprika, 30g
Simply Organic Ground Paprika, 84g
2. Basil
Basil is an herb essential in Italian cooking, but it is also used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Known as the main ingredient in traditional pesto, basil has a fragrant, sweet smell and peppery taste. It is best used as seasoning for pasta, beef, and poultry.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is a shrub with aromatic, needle-like leaves. Its lemony and woodsy taste lends deep flavours to meats like lamb, pork and chicken. Rosemary also pairs well with potatoes and stews.
Arogaia Arogaia Organic Rosemary Jar, 50 g
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a spicy-sweet taste that makes it a great addition to sweet and savoury dishes. Its aroma may be pleasant to some, but repelling for others. Besides adding a dash to your drink (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate), it can also be used on bread and pork.
Nature's Superfoods Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder, 100g
RedMan Cinnamon Sticks 4", 100G
5. Cumin
Cumin is commonly used in Latin American, Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian cuisines. The brownish-yellow seed, also available in ground form, is a typical ingredient in chilli powder and spice blends. Its warm, earthy flavour and sweet and bitter aroma makes it a good seasoning for fish and pork.
6. Oregano
Oregano is best known as an herb used in pizza and pasta sauce. It has a pungent aroma and tastes earthy and slightly bitter. Dried oregano is more common, which has a less aggressive flavour than fresh oregano. It is an ideal seasoning for pasta and poultry.
MasterFoods H&S Oregano Leaves, 5g Jar
BONUS: SEASONING BLENDS
If you don’t want to rely on a single herb or spice for your meals, consider using seasoning blends that will make your dishes stand out even if you don’t use salt. Some common blends include Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, and curry seasoning.
Simply Organic Italian Seasoning, 27g
MasterFoods H&S Cajun Seasoning, 35g Jar
