Sandwiches are easy to make and don't take long to prepare. In the dialysis setting, sandwiches are a popular item to eat before or after dialysis treatment. Sandwiches that are low in sodium and phosphorus, plus limit potassium are a great fit with the kidney diet.
If possible, make meat sandwiches from low sodium, fresh-cooked meats such as chicken, turkey breast, roast beef, pork or fish. Use meat leftover from dinner, or cook fresh meat specifically for lunch sandwiches. Consider freezing cooked meat in 2- to 3-ounce portions until needed.
Subway: Choose 6” sub, good ideas for fillings include chicken breast, tuna, ham, egg mayo, beef, turkey breast, club, sweet onion teriyaki and salad. The wraps available are all okay for those following a low salt diet.
I recommend whole grain, whole wheat or multigrain bread for people with kidney disease. Be careful to check the sodium in whatever bread you buy. Bread is a surprising source of salt! Historically, white bread was recommended because it has less phosphorus in it.
But you can still manage to squeeze in a healthy lunch that's in line with your kidney diet. Ingredients to keep on hand for a quick lunch include pre-cooked chicken or turkey, frozen shrimp, ground beef, pitas and flour tortillas, celery, onion, lettuce and mayonnaise.
Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup. Only eat reduced-sodium soups that don't have potassium chloride as an ingredient (check the food label.) Also, only eat 1 cup, not the whole can.
Fresh fruits, veggies, and protein are great everyday choices. You can also enjoy low-sodium chips, crackers, or fruit-based desserts for a treat on the go.
Better sweet snacks include: • jelly sweets • fruit gums • marshmallows • Turkish delight • mints • doughnuts • shortbread • ginger biscuits • rich tea biscuits • digestive biscuits.
While many kinds of cheese are high in phosphorus and sodium, there are lower phosphorus and sodium cheeses more suitable for people with kidney disease. Most cheeses are also high in saturated fat; but lower-fat versions of many cheeses are available.
Tomatoes are a good way to add extra potassium to your diet and decrease the need to take an additional potassium pill. Eating tomatoes will not have an effect on forming kidney stones.
Large amounts of fried foods are not recommended as part of a healthy diet for anyone, whether a person has chronic kidney disease (CKD) or not.
Asian Food:
Dishes without sauces or with a light sauce are more suitable e.g. steamed whole fish, braised meats, crispy skin chicken, sweet sauces such as plum, lemon, orange, and sweet and sour may also be lower in salt.
Can A Renal Diet Have Grilled Cheese? There is a caveat to it, however: patients with Chronic Kidney Disease can still consume cheese. Your renal dietitian will determine how much sodium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, and hemoglobin (SPPP) you need per day based on the nutritional requirements of each patient.
Tuna is kidney-friendly and an inexpensive source of protein.
Whole grains and whole wheat are both great options for people with kidney disease. Both whole grain and whole wheat products contain the entire kernel. Whole wheat refers to products that are only using whole wheat kernels.
If you find yourself occasionally craving a fast food hamburger, it's fine to have one every now and then. Remember to order your hamburger with no salt, pickles or grill seasoning, so you can limit sodium and potassium. Also, cheese is limited for those on the dialysis diet.
Butter contains saturated fat, which increases your risk for heart disease. The National Kidney Foundation notes that heart disease is a major risk factor for kidney disease and vice versa. Consume less butter, lard and shortening to reduce your intake of saturated fat and lower your risk for heart and kidney disease.
Your body needs protein to build tissue and stay strong, so eat the right amount without eating an excess. Most people with chronic kidney disease need between 60-70 grams of protein a day, which is the amount in about 7 ounces of meat or 10 large eggs.
Sugar is not a problem for the kidneys unless the blood sugar level gets too high. This commonly occurs in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Many chocolate products are high in phosphorus. Unlike potassium, nutritional labels don't often list phosphorus levels. This can make it hard to determine which chocolate products you can eat when you have kidney disease. It's best only to consume 20–30g of dark chocolate with a minimum percentage of 70% pure cocoa.
Foods low in potassium include most refined fats and oils, grains like cornmeal, white rice, and pasta, cheeses like soft goat cheese, and blueberries, eggs, leeks, Napa cabbage, and chia seeds. Boiling vegetables in water and discarding the water can help reduce their potassium and electrolyte content.