Question: Can I eat non-kosher meat if the doctor told me to cut back on sodium?
Dear Rabbi,
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and my doctors have instructed me to cut back on my sodium intake. In addition to the usual culprits, I was told to stay away from kosher meat. I have yet to find a butcher here in New York City who will sell me meat which hasn't been salted. Incidentally, I only began keeping kosher two years ago when I got married and before that had never been diagnosed with elevated blood pressure. Is it at all possible that for health reasons not keeping kosher is acceptable?
Thanks, Francine
Answer: Dear Francine,
I urge you to contact your Rabbi quickly for a definitive opinion.
I find it hard to believe that every butcher in New York City salts their meat without exception with sodium chloride. There are two other possibilities: (1) one can ask the butcher to use another salt to prepare your meat order; (2) unsalted meat can be broiled in a kosher home. In addition, in our home we soak the meat more than once to wash away more of the salt, and it works!
If you need some more help, I'll try and find colleagues in the New York City area to help find a cooperative kosher butcher.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Dov