BRIAN’S HIDDEN GEMS!
I am always on the hunt for low salt and low sodium products that can really spice up a meal. I spend countless hours in supermarkets and farmer’s markets looking at items, purchasing, and sampling them. One of the benefits of living in the hip Atlanta, Georgia suburb of Decatur (www.decaturga.com), is the diversity of markets that can be found. Decatur has a large population from the Indian sub-continent, and they have opened grocery stores with wonderful low salt products and spices that are delicious!
Also nearby is the suburb of Chamblee (www.chambleega.com), which has a large Asian population, and numerous restaurants, shops, and grocery markets that cater to their clientele. These neighborhoods are where I discover “hidden gems” that offer great taste with little or no salt. As I find these items, I will share them with you in this section that I call BRIAN’S HIDDEN GEMS!
Mrs. Dash Sweet Teriyaki & Mrs. Dash Lime Garlic Marinade
- I usually get leery when I try a salt-free sauce or marinade because many are often bland and boring. However, when I tried Mrs. Dash Sweet Teriyaki Marinade and Mrs. Dash Lime Garlic Marinade, I was blown away by the taste. It has a rich flavor that is hard to find in salt-free products. I use it on chicken and seafood, and to spice it up, I add a finely chopped jalapeno pepper to the marinade. To learn more about Mrs. Dash products, visit www.mrsdash.com.
Panera Bread at Home Balsamic Vinaigrette & Panera Bread at Home Poppyseed Dressing
- Panera Bread sells two salad dressings that offer great taste for those of us on low sodium diets. Marketed under the brand Panera Bread at Home, the company offers a Balsamic Vinaigrette that contains only 50 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons, and a Poppyseed Dressing with 95 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons. Compared to the amount of sodium in most salad dressings, these two products have earned their spot on “Brian’s Hidden Gems!”
Braswell’s of Georgia Creamy Vidalia Onion Gourmet Dressing
- Normally, I make my own salad dressing. However, there are products that I buy because they offer low sodium and great taste! Braswell’s of Georgia Creamy Vidalia Onion Gourmet Dressing (www.braswells.com) is one of those items. I purchase it at Publix Grocery Stores (www.publix.com) in Atlanta. This salad dressing is delicious, and only has 95 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons. Thus it has earned its spot on “Brian’s Hidden Gems!”
Publix Brand Mozzarella Cheese
- For people on a low sodium diet, mozzarella cheese can really jazz up a meal; however, you have to be careful because some brands are very high in sodium while others are tolerable. Publix Supermarkets (www.publix.com) distributes its own brand of mozzarella that is fairly low in sodium at just 85 milligrams, and it tastes delicious. Publix seems to be leading the way on making and distributing low sodium foods that are very tasty. Look for several of their products to appear on Brian’s Hidden Gems!
Chocolino La Dolce Vita & Lindt
- Everyone deserves to enjoy really good chocolate! However, many chocolate candies are packed with sodium. Well two chocolate makers have come to the rescue. There is a line of chocolate called Chocolino La Dolce Vita. The company makes several types of chocolate bars with varying levels of sodium; however, I get the Chocolino La Dolce Vita Double Dark Chocolate with 55% Cacao. It has zero milligrams of sodium, and tastes good compared to other sodium free chocolate candy. The problem is this brand is a little difficult to find. CVS Stores carries the brand. Try it & let me know what you think. Generally, it costs $1.77 per bar.
- Lindt also sells chocolates with varying degrees of sodium, including several sodium free options. By far, the best of the sodium free line is Lindt’s Dark Chili chocolate. It is absolutely delicious, and is my special occasion treat, such as successfully completing a special project or just making it through the work week. At $3.49 for a 3.5 ounce bar of chocolate, it is a little too rich for my wallet. However, I can usually talk myself into buying it several times a month, and I never feel a tinge of guilt.
Belli Chocolate Italian Biscotti
- It is so exciting to discover a delicious low sodium find, and this product definitely fits the bill. It combines two of my favorite things – chocolate and biscuits. I found this item in the gourmet food section of my local HomeGoods Store (www.homegoods.com). At $4.99 for an 8.8 ounce bag, think of it as a luxurious treat from Florence, Italy, where it is produced. However, my jar dropped when I read that it contains only 4 milligrams of sodium. Any product that gives you delicious chocolate biscuits for only 4 milligrams of sodium is worthy of being listed on “Brian’s Hidden Gems!”
Cascadian Farm Organic French Vanilla Almond Granola
- Publix Grocery Stores (www.publix.com) does a great job with offering a variety of products for the person on a low sodium diet. Case in point, Cascadian Farm Organic Granola Cereals. This product is certified organic, non-GMO, and boasts that it has no artificial colors or flavors. More importantly, it only has 55 milligrams of sodium and is absolutely delicious. Normally, the low sodium cereals that I find are usually packed with potassium, which can pose problems for people with chronic kidney disease. However, this product offers great taste without the sodium. The price may be oft-putting for some people. I paid $3.99 for 13 ounce box.
Simply Nature Organic Coconut & Chia Granola Cereal
- Hats off to the grocer Aldi for producing a granola cereal that tastes great, and has only 30 milligrams of sodium. I must admit that I was skeptical that a product with only 30 grams of sodium would be tasty; however, this product delivers! Simply Nature Organic is an Aldi brand product. Stay tuned as I research the sodium content of the products offered by the company. Meanwhile, the Simply Nature Organic Coconut & Chia Granola Cereal is a definite winner! To find the nearest Aldi grocery store near you, visit www.aldi.com.
Cascadian Farm Organic Dark Chocolate Almond
- Cascadian Farms Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Granola Cereal is a Godsend to people on a low sodium diet, but want a breakfast cereal that tastes good. It’s hard to believe that any cereal that packs such a delicious punch can only contain 85 milligrams of sodium. However, that is the case. A bowl of the Dark Chocolate Almond Granola will leave you satisfied, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me! It is worthy of making the list of Brian’s Hidden Gems.
Cascadian Farm Organic Oats and Honey Granola Cereal
- As far as I am concerned, two of the best ingredients that a breakfast cereal can contain is oats and honey. However, the sodium content of most cereals containing those ingredients are usually loaded with both sodium and potassium. They are two additives that can have a negative impact on people with chronic kidney disease if consumed in large amounts. Again, it’s Cascadian Farm Organic to the rescue. Their Oats and Honey Granola Cereal is flavorful, filling, and delicious. Yet, it only has 55 milligrams of sodium. It doesn’t get better than that!
Vigo Low Sodium Yellow Rice with Saffron
- Vigo allows you to spice up any meal with their delicious Low Sodium Yellow Rice with Saffron. The best part is the low sodium content – it only has 45 milligrams of sodium; however, it still delivers great taste. Try it. You won;t be disappointed! You can find this item in most grocery stores.
Cadbury Royal Dark Chocolate
- I confess to being a chocoholic. Being on a low-sodium diet means that I am always on the hunt for great tasting chocolate that has a low salt/sodium content. During my search, I have come across lots of bland tasting chocolate. Therefore, I am always skeptical when I come across new products. However, Cadbury Royal Dark Chocolate is the real deal! It’s delicious and has zero milligrams of sodium and potassium. Bravo Cadbury! This is definitely a Brian’s Hidden Gem!
Goya Sofrito Tomato Cooking Base
- This delicious product has become a staple in my kitchen, and you should stock it in your kitchen cabinets too. Its ingredients include green peppers, onions, cilantro and garlic in olive oil. I add this product to my rice and pasta, and it makes the dish sing! I get more compliments on dishes that I prepare using this product than any other item. It’s available in the international foods section of your local grocery store. The best part is its low sodium content – only 35 milligrams.