Almost any fresh veggies. Most groceries have a low-salt shelf for folks with sodium-related bp problems, and if they don't have sodium-substitute seasoning you can find that at a health-food store.
One friend of mine swears by using a can of low-sodium chicken broth diluted with the same amount of water to cook rice in. Steam the fresh veggies and toss -- if you're meat-eaters you can steam some chicken or fish and have that with it. Carrots steam well.
Pretty much any veg can be microwave-steamed by using a covered dish and a couple tablespoons of water, just be sure to nuke 'em in short bursts and stir so they cook evenly... and you can throw the water into the rice to conserve the vitamins. A squeeze of lemon juice adds flavor to veggies, and as others have said, Mrs Dash is good, too. A baked or mashed potato is filling and low-sodium--she can use unsalted butter (not low-fat but you're not talking long-term diet, here.) Go for herbs--dill and parsley add vitamins and flavor with nothing much in the way of fat.
Plain old celery actually has something in it that helps regulate blood pressure. I'd heard this, passed it on to a client with serious bp/kidney problems, and he told me his internist had confirmed it. And it's crunchy and has lots of flavor.
You have my sympathy! Two weeks is a long time to cater to someone else's dietary requirements, especially as it sounds like she gave you no warning.
no subject
One friend of mine swears by using a can of low-sodium chicken broth diluted with the same amount of water to cook rice in. Steam the fresh veggies and toss -- if you're meat-eaters you can steam some chicken or fish and have that with it. Carrots steam well.
Pretty much any veg can be microwave-steamed by using a covered dish and a couple tablespoons of water, just be sure to nuke 'em in short bursts and stir so they cook evenly... and you can throw the water into the rice to conserve the vitamins. A squeeze of lemon juice adds flavor to veggies, and as others have said, Mrs Dash is good, too. A baked or mashed potato is filling and low-sodium--she can use unsalted butter (not low-fat but you're not talking long-term diet, here.) Go for herbs--dill and parsley add vitamins and flavor with nothing much in the way of fat.
Plain old celery actually has something in it that helps regulate blood pressure. I'd heard this, passed it on to a client with serious bp/kidney problems, and he told me his internist had confirmed it. And it's crunchy and has lots of flavor.
You have my sympathy! Two weeks is a long time to cater to someone else's dietary requirements, especially as it sounds like she gave you no warning.
Good luck!