Should I avoid using Accent?

[knmiller]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to find some different things to put on my food and came across Accent the other day.  My concern is that it's high in potassium.  Does anyone know? 

If Accent isn't the best to use, what types of seasonings do you all use?  I've used Mrs. Dash a few times, but am looking for some additional things to spruce up my food.

Thanks

[Sara]

We use lots of Mrs. Dash around here, also garlic powder not the salt, lots of pepper, fresh garlic and onions taste good, but I'm not sure how they rate on the potassium scale.  Also different vinegars can be tasty (white, rice wine, balsamic, etc.)

[jbeany]

Found this -
Accent - A seasoning also called MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). It is commonly used in Oriental cooking. It is not a favored seasoning or enhancer in the United States as many people are allergic to it. It is an optional seasoning and can very easily be left out of recipes.

MSG is the sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid and a form of glutamate. It is sold as a fine white crystal substance, similar in appearance to salt or sugar. It does not have a distinct taste of its own, and how it adds flavor to other foods is not fully understood. Many scientists believe that MSG stimulates glutamate receptors in the tongue to augment meat-like flavors.

Here's a link to what the FDA has to say - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/msg.html

Doesn't say anything about potassium, but if it's a "sodium salt..." - it's going to make a renal patient retain fluid.

[knmiller]

Sweet...thanks for the info guys...I appreciate your help!

[mallory]

jbeany is right, Accent is a salt and it's not good for ESRD patients.  Here's a link to a newsletter, the article on the front page describes hidden ways that kidney patients may be getting salt when they don't know it, it specifically mentions Accent:

http://www.network13.org/Newsletters/newsyoucanuse/nucu_05_01.pdf

I just use different spices and a lot of pepper.  It's not the same as salt, but it's better than nothing.

[knmiller]

That's a great site.  Thanks Mallory

[kitkatz]

Somewhere along the line I was told MSG is terrible for dialysis patients and not to eat it ever.  It is probably the sodium in it.

[angieskidney]

Somewhere along the line I was told MSG is terrible for dialysis patients and not to eat it ever.  It is probably the sodium in it.

I was told that MSG is bad for you period, even for people not on dialysis.

[Black]

If you're not overweight or diabetic, try adding a pinch of sugar to your veggies and fruits, and even try a very, very light sprinkle on meats.

[Zach]

If you're not overweight or diabetic, try adding a pinch of sugar to your veggies and fruits, and even try a very, very light sprinkle on meats.

That's a great idea!!     

[meadowlandsnj]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to find some different things to put on my food and came across Accent the other day.  My concern is that it's high in potassium.  Does anyone know? 

If Accent isn't the best to use, what types of seasonings do you all use?  I've used Mrs. Dash a few times, but am looking for some additional things to spruce up my food.

Thanks

I use lemon a lot.  Pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder and nutmeg.  There's a store that sells all kinds of spices and a lot are salt free.  Go to
Penzeys.com
and they have recipes, descriptions of the spices and they're really reasonable with the prices.  If you order a free catalog there's a lot of good information about spices and how to use them

[AlasdairUK]

I use Italian herbs a lot. Lemon and lime juice and pepper goes with most things. I sometimes cook with a little salt but do not add it
, there will still be a lot less salt that I put in fresh ingredients compared to processed foods that you can buy.

[Panda_9]

I find things like lemon juice and vinegar are good flavourings for salad dressings, along with a bit of olive oil and garlic. I also add a small splash of soy for extra flavour.
Use the freshest fruit and veg you can find, for optimal flavour. Grow some herbs in the garden and use them fresh in your cooking. Make up a fresh basil pesto using basil leaves, olive oil, pepper and a little bit of parmesan. Have that with pasta and a little bit of cream.