Snack ideas?: Hello all! I'm trying to eat... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Snack ideas?

Ladybug_05 profile image
15 Replies

Hello all!

I'm trying to eat healthier with my snacking habits, but I'm getting tired of the usual banana, apple/peanut butter, grapes and crackers. If you guys have any ideas on other healthy snacks, I would appreciate it!

Sidenote: I do have to watch my phosphorus, so dairy is off the table at the moment.

Also, if you have any ideas for on-the-go foods, please feel free to share as well!

Thank you!

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Ladybug_05 profile image
Ladybug_05
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15 Replies
Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

Hi Ladybug,

From what I read, nut butters are high in phosphorus. I use Laughing Cow cream cheese spread on a wrap which I add either prescrambled egg whites or chopped lettuce and 15 calorie mayo. My favorite snack is Orville Reddenbacher's smart corn. 100 calories a bag and very high in fiber. Baby carrots are good if you can eat them. I can't. But I like fresh raw red peppers for snack in season.

5157 profile image
5157

Laffy cow swiss cheese spread on celery or hummus on celery(2thsp.)check on Davita.com for other snacks and recipes. I love the hot crab dip made with light cream cheese .

steve680 profile image
steve680

Carrots, celery sticks, blueberries and strawberries.

davita.com/diet-nutrition/a...

1) red bell peppers

2) cabbage

3) cauliflower

4) garlic

5) onions

6) apples

7) cranberries

8) blueberries

9) raspberries

10) strawberries

11) cherries

12) red grapes

13) egg whites

14) fish ( Fish highest in omega-3s include albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout and salmon.)

15) olive oil

steve680 profile image
steve680 in reply to steve680

Foods to avoid:

Here are 17 foods that you should likely avoid on a renal diet.

Dark-Colored Colas. In addition to the calories and sugar that colas provide, they also contain additives that contain phosphorus, especially dark-colored colas. ...

Avocados. ...

Canned Foods. ...

Whole-Wheat Bread. ...

Brown Rice. ...

Bananas. ...

Dairy. ...

Oranges and Orange Juice.

Processed Meats

Pickles, Olives and Relish

Apricots

Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Packaged, Instant and Pre-Made Meals

Dates, Raisins and Prunes

Pretzels, Chips and Crackers

NUTRITIONEvidence Based

17 Foods to Avoid If You Have Bad Kidneys

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs that perform many important functions.

They’re in charge of filtering blood, removing waste through urine, producing hormones, balancing minerals and maintaining fluid balance.

There are many risk factors for kidney disease. The most common are uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure.

Alcoholism, heart disease, hepatitis C virus and HIV infection are also causes (1).

When the kidneys become damaged and are unable to function properly, fluid can build up in the body and waste can accumulate in the blood.

However, avoiding or limiting certain foods in your diet may help decrease the accumulation of waste products in the blood, improve kidney function and prevent further damage (2).

The Connection Between Diet and Kidney Disease

Foods to Avoid with Kidney Disease

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Dietary restrictions vary depending on the stage of kidney disease.

For instance, people who are in the early stages of chronic kidney disease will have different dietary restrictions than those with end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure.

Those with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis will also have varying dietary restrictions. Dialysis is a type of treatment that removes extra water and filters waste.

The majority of those in the late stages or with end-stage kidney disease will need to follow a kidney-friendly diet to avoid build-up of certain chemicals or nutrients in the blood.

In those with chronic kidney disease, the kidneys cannot adequately remove excess sodium, potassium and phosphorus. As a result, they are at higher risk of elevated blood levels of these minerals.

A kidney-friendly diet, or a “renal diet,” usually includes limiting sodium and potassium to 2,000 mg per day and limiting phosphorus to 1,000 mg per day.

Damaged kidneys may also have trouble filtering the waste products of protein metabolism. Therefore, individuals with chronic kidney disease in stages 1–4 may need to limit the amount of protein in their diets (3).

However, those with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis have an increased protein requirement (4).

Ladybug_05 profile image
Ladybug_05 in reply to steve680

Steve680,

Thankfully i knew all of this, but thank you for the refresher!

steve680 profile image
steve680 in reply to Ladybug_05

sometimes a refresher is just what the doctor ordered ;-)

Maximoon78 profile image
Maximoon78 in reply to steve680

Hi new here,my son is now on dialysis,and he is just 15, finding it hard for him preparing right kind food,Is there anyone here that has experience with kids on dialysis and can help with food ideas?

For my husband I would have hard boiled eggs always ready, and popcorn made in a special microwave container that requires no oil then I would it season with little to no salt using dried spices or herbs. If I think of anything else, I'll post. Good luck!

Ladybug_05 profile image
Ladybug_05

Thank you everyone! I love posting questions like this, since it gives me a lot of new ideas!

curleytop1 profile image
curleytop1

Hello Ladybug 05, I am glad you are getting so many replies to your question on snacks, as I asked a similar question on what does everybody eat a few weeks ago but I didn't seem to get any replies to this!

I live in UK and use fat free cottage cheese (Tesco's do the lowest calorie/no added salt one I have found so far). It was the very first food I found that was suitable for a kidney-friendly diet and, along with blueberries and strawberries, was the only thing I lived on for the first three days after my CKD diagnosis 4 years ago. It is still a favourite snack or meal, especially when I am out and about. Sometimes I put chopped apple in it, or make it more savoury tasting with white cabbage and fresh cucumber sprinkled with lemon juice and a little fresh/frozen herb portion if I have any. I have been told it is not sold in USA though not sure if this is correct - it is not the same product as Cream cheese.

Another favourite meal/snack is thinly sliced chicken breast with thinly sliced apple (or stewed apple) spread on top. This is served in in a wrap or made into a sandwich with my usual white cabbage and fresh cucumber. Slices of fresh pear can be used instead of apple. Hope other members will contribute more food ideas in time - Curleytop1.

rascal01 profile image
rascal01

Caramel flavored rice cakes use with various toppings.

Simon32 profile image
Simon32

I love: trail mix, air popped popcorn with dairy free margarine and a bit of salt, hummus and corn chips (I’m not a guacamole fan;)

LorrieC profile image
LorrieC

I know you asked about snacks, but this is what I have been eating these past few weeks and I have lost ten lbs. I like hard boiled eggs for a snack, but I try not to eat too many yolks. When I make egg salad, I boil three eggs and use only 1.5 yolks. A good snack is cream cheese spread on low salt crackers, although I am used to much more cream cheese than I can eat now. I like low fat cottage cheese with blueberries. I have been buying frozen macaroni and cheese even though its 450 mg. of sodium. If I make a whole box of Kraft's (my favorite) I know I will eat the entire box instead of a single serving. Another thing I like is Minute Maid Rice in the little cups. There are two servings to a package. I cut up salt free green beans, add a little margarine. and it is a good small meal. I dislike apples, but I have been eating 1/2 of an apple for a nighttime snack. I have to mention that I do eat a few cookies a day. Milano double dark chocolate only has 35 mg of sodium, so I see no problem with eating just two. Cream of wheat is a good choice too.

sharonlyn profile image
sharonlyn

join natural kidney journey on facebook...i have been able to raise my gfr from 26 to 41 in less than a month...that was my situation it is different for everyone...this fb group is dedicated to changing your diet...supporting your goals and so much more...it is admin by a couple where the wife was able to get her husband off of dialysis...she raised his gfr from 3 to 39-41...he has been off dialysises for over 14 months...there is another person on site that achieved that same thing...plus numerous others who have raised their gfr significantly by diet and determination... here is the link... tps://facebook.com/groups/natural... answer the 3 questions when you click on the site to join or you will automatically be deleted...

Canchita profile image
Canchita

I read everywhere that dried fruit was an absolute no for me. Very high in potassium. I had to give up my beloved figs and apricots.

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