Finding a restaurant that meets your low sodium dietary requirements can sometimes prove very challenging. I have been to establishments where all of the entrees have been marinated in seasonings that had a high salt content. Therefore, I was forced to leave and go somewhere else. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you should forget about dining in your favorite Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai restaurants. Also, fast food restaurants are out of the questions because they serve food that is loaded with salt and sodium.
Nonetheless, there are restaurants whose menus are flexible or employ chefs that are willing to modify the meal to offer great taste and reduced salt. As I visit these types of establishments, I will gladly share my knowledge with you in the page below. However, when choosing a new place to dine, these are a few helpful steps that I always follow:
- Visit the restaurant’s website and study the menu. Locally-owned establishments and higher end restaurants prepare their meals onsite; therefore, they are more flexible with meeting your dietary requirements.
- Call the restaurant, tell them about your diet, and ask whether certain items can be prepared without salt. They actually get this question more often than you think. Always remember that you are not the only person on a sodium restricted diet.
- Focus on foods that are grilled, baked, or broiled. I especially liked grilled meats because they get flavor from the grill and fire, and taste great without salt.
- Order steamed vegetables, a simple salad, or fruit as a side item for your entree. You can really jazz up steamed vegetables with olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice or balsamic vinegar. Tabasco sauce only has 75 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon. A teaspoon of Tabasco can go a long way to flavor steamed vegetables or even fish or pork.
- Watch out for condiments. Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise can be loaded with sodium
- Bring your own low-salt items with you when dining out. For example, I always take balsamic vinegar when I dine out. Always!
- Sherbet, sorbets, and fruit make wonderful low sodium desserts.
WHERE TO DINE?
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
When many people think about dining in Southern cities, their thoughts instinctively go to barbeque, fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, collard greens, homemade biscuits and other traditional dishes. However, Atlanta is so much more than that. This dynamic city boasts a culinary scene that can easily rival Washington, Boston, or San Francisco. Do you love Thai or Indian food? Atlanta has it. How about Ethiopian or Sudanese cuisine? Atlanta has that too. Try getting a table on a Saturday night in one of the city’s Iranian or Asian Fusion restaurants, I guarantee that you will be in for a long wait.
Like anyplace else, dining out in Atlanta on a low sodium regimen means doing your homework. However, delicious food and great restaurants can be found.
The Colonnade Restaurant
- 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
- T: (404) 874-5642; www.colonnadeatlanta.com
Founded in 1927, this restaurant is an Atlanta institution. It is a family owned and operated institution that is known for its mouth-watering chicken, steaks, seafood, and pork. Because all dishes are prepared onsite, the chefs are surprisingly flexible in tailoring dishes to meet specific diet requirements. This is my restaurant of choice in Atlanta, where I entertain friends and host special family dinners. The wait staff are professionals who have worked here for years, and automatically know that my meals will be sodium free.
Dinner: Grilled Pork Chops (No salt) with fresh horseradish. Side items – fresh sliced pears and steamed broccoli
The grilled pork chops with horseradish (low in sodium) at the Colonnade is one of my favorite dishes. No salt is necessary for this flavorful entree. The smoke and fire from the grill is all that you need. Since it comes with two side dishes, I have the fresh sliced pears and steamed broccoli.
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
This major port city does a lot of things right, and preparing great tasting seafood is one of them. The crab cakes in Baltimore simply have no equal. Period! In addition, Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood boasts a plethora of Italian restaurants with food so good that it takes your breath away. Baltimore also boasts the headquarters of McCormick’s Old Bay Seasoning. It sounds wonderful unless you are on a low salt and low sodium diet. But don’t despair. Having just returned from my annual visit to the city, I have recommendations on places where you can enjoy great tasting seafood minus the salt.
The Prime Rib
- 1101 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
- T: (404) 539-1804; http://www.theprimerib.com/baltimore-md/
Most residents would agree that this is the city’s top restaurant with outstanding food, an elegant atmosphere, and impeccable service. The Prime Rib is a “mandatory dining experience” every time that I am in town. For people on a low-sodium diet, the chefs can prepare meals to meet your dietary requirement while delivering an award-winning culinary experience at the same time!
Dinner: Swordfish topped with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat with Grilled Artichoke Hearts
The Swordfish with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat and Grilled Artichoke Hearts is my most favorite meal here; however, anything that you order in this restaurant will be a winner! I highly recommend.