Kady LiFollow

Date of Award

8-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nutrition Science

Department

Health Science and Human Ecology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Chen-Maynard, Dorothy

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, associated with high sodium intake being a primary contributor to elevated blood pressure. The US Dietary Guidelines for sodium intake is 2,300 mg per day; however, studies indicate that the average daily sodium consumption among Chinese adults is 5,013 mg. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is often recommended to those diagnosed with hypertension. This project aims to develop a cookbook featuring lower-sodium Chinese recipes following the DASH diet guidelines. Twenty-five traditional Chinese recipes were modified to align with DASH diet guidelines (25% reduction in sodium content). Nutrient analysis software was employed to evaluate the sodium content of the original and modified recipes. Twenty-five participants were recruited through direct recruitment and word of mouth. The participants will complete two online surveys. The first survey was conducted to gather insight into participants’ eating habits, preferences, and cooking skills related to the preparation of Chinese food. The second survey was to have participants evaluate the recipes and the dishes prepared for their visual appeal, taste, portion size, and overall satisfaction with the dish. Recipe development was guided by feedback from three different taste testing sessions involving over 180 responses from Chinese American individuals and nutrition students. Participants evaluated the recipes based on their visual appeal, taste, clarity, and ease of preparation. Common feedback highlighted the need for a stronger umami flavor (due to reduced sodium), which called for adding alternative seasonings such as herbs, spices, and flavorful vegetables. The final product is a heart-healthy resource for those with hypertension and are struggling to create flavorful, low-sodium Chinese meals at home.

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