How do I pursuade MIL to put less salt in her veg?

[LynetteScavo]

We are going to MIL's for Christmas Lunch, which will be lovely, apart from the maga salted vegtables. (I don't add any salt to anything when cookeing)

My tongue is already shrivelling up at the thought. My only plan so far is to take loads of soft drinks with us.

good luck! my x mil was a divil for throwing salt into everything... she said it was all a load of nonsense the bad pres that salt got, and that she had low blood pressure anyway, so she could add salt to things if she wanted, she probably actually needed the extra salt what with her low bp.

Can't you just tell her that you and/or the DCs don't like much salt and prefer to add to taste at the table?

Do all the cooking yourself.

I used to ask my xmil not to add salt to things as "you can add it but you can't take it away"... she muttered em oh, um, and sort of half nodded, but still added 10 grams of salt anyway.

tell her your children had an allergic reaction and after tests at the doctors they said that you had to give over with salt.

yes its a lie

It's a nightmare isn't it. I was brought up on lots of salt (no processed food though so only added in cooking). Took me a few years to get out of the habit. Mum still cooked with salt until about 2yrs ago when she developed kidney trouble and dad's heart started playing up.

Problem is adding salt was normal when the older generation was brought up.

I'd say stick with your original plan. She's hosting and cooking - it would be v rude to criticise how she cooks and could cause you ongoing problems....

You've met my MIL then Cantthinkoffunnyname.....

I'm liking the lie, Custardo....especially after DD's recent swellings, it souns almost plausable.

You'll insult her and her cooking if you mention it...suck it up and have loads of drinks available. Or you could offer to help with the cooking and tell her that you put the salt in already.

My parents are like this too. I make sure I bring loads of drinks when we go and always bring a few things so my dds don't rely solely on the meals there. I make sure they have plenty of fruit and yogurts etc. to counteract the effects. My dd1 has allergies so we get away with bringing some of our own stuff.

I don't use salt in cooking either and find it difficult to manage for more than a day or two.

My MIL certainly cant take the hint... well its not so much of a hint as an outright critism

FIL died a couple of years ago of a heart attack, and even DC's loud comments of 'too much salt can damage your heart Grandma' dont seem to have had any effect !

I hate it too ... but am a bit too polite to say too much. But I have to leave the food sometimes, its just bleurgh !

oh fgs grin and bear

Could you bring a couple of side dishes? Some type of more unusual veg. or something done a different way? At least you would have one dish you could enjoy.

DH has told MIL to stop putting it in over and over (she has even cried about it ) but she still carrys on regardless. DH has even tipped the water away and refilled if she ignoored him when doing the childrens meals but she keeps doing it. It's a loosing battle.

Not really carrieboo?

How rude!

Is a load of salt worse than a load of sugar?

For one lunch just get over yourself.

To my tongue a load of salt is worse than a load of sugar.

So I need to get over myself?

Why are so many people being so rude today?

I'll give DD and DS2 a talking to before lunch about not saying it tastes "mucky"

Tell her it's really bad for young kids - surely she won't ignore that?!

Its the way she cooks..I think its rude to tell her to cook your way ..its only one lunch

Take some pre-cooked, saltless veg.

It's pretty rude if she won't listen to the likes/dislikes and health concerns of her guests!

My mum used to do the same and probably me too till i had my pfb then I stopped and asked her to stop. she didnt understand so i very politely said I would provide his food when we went for tea etc. Anyway she stopped. But then again that was my mum and not mil.

Oh tell me about it, my MIL adds it to sandwiches too - yuk. FIL has often told the story of the guesthouse they went to where the lady cooked without salt in her veg and it tasted horrible. I know it's a dig at me very thinly veiled.

i'm really not arsey about most things - the odd crisp, chocolate buttons etc.

but veg crammed with salt - with taters - no doubt crammed with salt.

merry christmas have a heart attack

I've just asked DH, and he said "That would just be ridiculous."