I need food ideas for my father with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?

Question

My 76 year old father was recently diagnosed with CHF. He is to have "no salt" (at all) in his diet going forward. He lives alone and I'm having a hard time finding things NO salt to stalk on his shelves that are appetizing ..and most importantly that he can make himself (easily). Any ideas? Those things marked "low sodium" are no good - as they still have some level of salt in them. It's VERY hard finding anything for him with no salt at all. All suggestions would be most welcome!

Earmour - I'm not sure exactly what post you are referring to - I've had some probs with someone impersonating me...that happens a lot around here with many..I've had to report your answer here I'm afraid...since it has nothing to do with either me or my question concerning my father's health.

Answer 1

I understand your frustration finding foods which are low sodium. Usually, the doctor understands their pts with CHF are not completely able to refuse salt, so there are salt subsitutes out there such as the on you mentioned Dash which make food more pallitable.
I would suggest he get his foods as fresh as possible to avoid the salt added to foods during processing. Stay away from pre canned soups unless they specify low salt, no chips, no fast foods because they are salt packed. However, if you go to McDonalds and specify "no salt" on your fries, they will make you a fresh batch with no sald added. Cook all of his meat instead of buying pre processed meats such as sandwich meat, hot dogs.
The trick to low salt eating is to cook everything from fresh. Nothing pre processed. I used to pre cook food for my dad and freeze it, so he could just pop it into the microwave. I still have frozen turkey dinners I made for him frozen.
Good luck to you and your dad. I lost my dad in January and tried to do as much for him as I could before he died at 81. I just decided in the last few years of his life, I wanted him to be as happy as possible and we cheated on his low sugar, low sodium, low fat diet a lot. He was much happier and food was his 1 great pleasure and all he had to look foreward to in his old age. I know when your dealing with heart failure, 1 can of campells chicken soup can spell disaster, so I dont reccomend it too much.
RN x 12 years

Answer 2

I believe in health food stores to a degree.
Talk to someone in a good health food store but dont take anything as gospel.But often they have information sheets on DZ and conditions and helpful dietary info.
You can also invest in one session with a nutritionist.
It is probably best to make homemade food with fresh ingredients. Even spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes for instance.
There might be alternative "salt" to use in homemade food that will keep the food tasty and not bland.
I've heard of ppl cooking a weeks worth of food on a weekend day. Or, you can cook for your family the same diet, including him in the number of portions you make.
Your whole family will benefit. You'll need to get some iodine in there for the thyroid along the way.
I never suggest anything I wouldnt do.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Fruit ... including many vegetables that taste OK without salt, like tomatoes, avocados (with French dressing - nice, and you can make up some yourself in small bottles and leave it in the fridge for him to shake); mushrooms on toast taste OK without salt, I think (and I;ve had CHF myself, though not such a strict regime). Spaghetti with fresh (or frozen) peas and cream - surprisingly good. If he turns his nose up at fruit think about dried fruit salad soaked and then served hot with cream or yogurt. Poached eggs on spinach and a muffin (almost eggs Benedict); poached salmon - I think you can wrap a small portion and cook it in the microwave. Corn on the cob with lashings of butter and pepper (salt actually spoils it, makes it go tough) - microwave one cob for 4 minutes in a covered dish with an inch of water on the bottom just to keep it moist.

After a while the palate does become de-sensitised and the ban on salt won't hurt so much, I promise.

Answer 4

The dietary goals for CHF are to reduce salt and fluid intake, lose weight, and to eat more frequent, but smaller meals to prevent exhaustion. Some food ideas would be cantalope, bran cereal, nonfat milk, broiled chicken, baked potatos, tossed salads, banannas, oranges, brown rice, broccoli...Olive oil is good to cook in.

Answer 5

Tell him to take it easy, go for small walks, stay away from salt(use salt free alternative like Dash), and watch plenty of funny movies.

Answer 6

I have no other way of doing this so it will be here... I was really offended at the answer you gave to my sincere question... How dare you speak to me the way you did, without having all the facts... I was asking for advice not for some idiot to pass judgment... you are the one that needs help. I would never dream of picking a random question and start spitting off allegations of child abuse. You are a horrible woman and should be ashamed of yourself!

Answer 7

He may want to take Coenzyme Q10 and Carnitine supplements. These natural products will greatly strengthen his weak heart. See the references for details. (Clear it with your doctors first!).
Good luck and God bless!

Answer 8

Check the following site which I regularly visit. The link section provides several sites that provide diets for people with heart diseases. Good luck..

http://drugcoatedstents.blogspot.com/

Answer 9

Try www.freediets.net/lowsodiumdiet