For the past few months, Ive had two salt shakers in my kitchen.
The other is regular table salt, which I use at the table.
Potassium is good for us, and its an easy way to get more in our diet.
(The U.S. recommendation is a bit more generous, at 2,300 milligrams.)
But this isnt just about sodium.
When it comes to heart health, most of us get more sodium than recommendedandnot enough potassium.
We normally get potassium in our diet from fruits and vegetables.
Downsides of potassium-based salt
Importantly, potassium supplementation is not for everyone.
(Your healthcare provider can tell you more.)
How does potassium salt taste?
The people promoting salt substitutes for health tend to wave away concerns about flavor.
Most people wont notice the difference, they say.
They may be right, but thereisa difference.
Potassium salts have a subtly different flavor than regular sodium-based table salt.
Sprinkle a little on your hand and lick it, and youll see what I mean.
Its still salty, and it doesnt tastebador anything, but its not quite the same.
In large amounts, potassium-based salt substitutes can taste slightly metallic or bitter.
I use my salt substitute at the beginning of a recipe, when Im browning meat or sauteing onions.
It contributes a general saltiness to the dish.
The next time I add salt, its usually the sodium kind.
If thats too complicated, you might just mix both types of salt in the same container.
Or buy a salt substitute likeMorton Lite, which is a mix of sodium and potassium salts.
