Salty or Not

We met over blood pressure issues…

At the clinic

Her: What Nigerian do you know who doesn’t cook with salt?

Her: It’s a cultural abomination

Still her: I left my last doctor for telling me to cook without salt

Me: You sure he didn’t say “less salt”?

Her: Less salt, no salt
Tomah-to Tomay-to

Salt is necessary for most of my cooking as a Nigerian

Me: I’m Nigerian- American

I use salt and I agree it is important

After all the Bible says “ We are the salt of the earth” .. Matthew 5:16 …we add flavor … good to the world!

…but don’t use much of it

Her: doc, you don’t understand… I cook original Naija food

Me: so do I

We go into specifics (like efo riro, ogbono soup, yam porridge … I digress)

Her: eeerrmmmm??

Me: less salt is doable

Few tips: I continued!

*Use other seasonings including but not limited to ginger, white pepper, cilantro etc
It gives your tastebuds a healthy distraction

*in boiling rice, add a little olive oil some red onions and add salt last …when almost ready if you have to…
You will only need less salt based on this!

Her: ahhh Thank you! I’ll try it

We then go on to discuss our favorite dishes … spices and all…

We talk about how fresh veggies are different from overcooked ones on our soups … subject for another day!


With less salt,
Dr. Olabintan

Author

Dr. Tolulope Olabintan MD, AAHIVS, FAAFP, dipABLM Dr. Tolulope Olabintan is the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Livingspring Family Medical Center. She is a Christian, Family Physician, writer, mentor, mother and wife. She takes joy in empowering her patients and readers to live their fullest lives possible. She helps patients live long and well as she believes that the quality of life is just as important as the quantity of life. She is also a foodie and loves the colors teal and orange. Dr. Olabintan completed her medical degree at UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School in 2007. Dr. O went on to finish her Family Medicine Residency from Albert Einstein College of Medicine Family Medicine residency where she also served as a Chief Resident. She then went on to complete a women’s health/surgical obstetrics fellowship at St Francis hospital in 2011. She is a board-certified Family Physician, Lifestyle Medicine, a HIV specialist and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.