In the world of cooking, most cooks and chefs are generally going to use the same ingredients. A good example is salt – there aren’t many recipes in the world that don’t call for salt in some amount, and it’s an important part of the flavouring process. But at the same time, salt is closely linked to increased blood pressure, and sometimes a person must forgo salt completely, which is where a substitute comes in.
Substitutes are used to replace a specific ingredient while maintaining the overall flavour profile and texture of a dish. The idea of substitution is to replicate a dish but often with ingredients that are healthier, meaning that a person can enjoy their favourite meal without having to worry about blood pressure or excess body fat.
Salt Substitutes
There is no denying that salt is closely associated with high blood pressure. As we eat salt, the body increases our blood pressure to try and push the extra sodium out. After long enough, this can begin to cause serious health problems – in fact, high blood pressure is the number one leading cause of death in the world at the moment.
Thankfully, there are ways to get around this, and white miso is the best. White miso is a paste that’s made of a combination of salt, soybeans, and some kind of agent like rice, and left to ferment for months or sometimes years at a time. Studies have shown that soy successfully counteracts the effects of salt on the body, meaning it’s possible to enjoy salty foods without the worry of hypertension.
While white miso is the best answer to salt, it can be expensive and hard to get hold of. For this reason, a lot of people turn to potassium chloride, often called the table salt substitute. The problem with this substance is that it can have a strong, unpleasant metallic flavour when used in quantity, and it’s best used in very small amounts.
Butter Substitutes
Butter adds deep flavours to dishes, but there are plenty of other ingredients that can be used as a substitute fat. Consider any strongly flavoured oils, such as olive oil, but sometimes using a neutral vegetable oil can also work, depending on the dish.
Meat Substitutes
More and more governments and scientists are calling for people to cut down or eliminate their consumption of meat. This can be difficult for some people, but it can help to use a decent meat substitute, and mushrooms can make for a great replacement.
Not only are they extremely healthy and packed with important micronutrients, but when prepared properly, they can easily replace just about any kind of meat. One small titbit that’s worth keeping in mind is that button mushrooms can be left in the sun for a while to synthesise Vitamin D, which is also a great time to make some tea or check out the latest horse racing tips.
Take a look at the local superstore or farmer’s market to see what kind of mushrooms are available.
