Individuals with kidney disease are sometimes advised to avoid dairy products to lower the amount of potassium and phosphorus in their diet. We allow our customers to swap out their dairy servings with other items of similar calories. We call these "Flex Calories." Adding snacks or plant-based milk to our meals will help customers meet their calorie goals, fill in nutrient gaps, and help stay within the restrictions needed to manage their disease.
All snacks are not created equal. Focus on snacks from whole, unprocessed sources. Pairing protein and high-fiber carbohydrates help keep you full longer. It's never a good idea to snack out of a box, carton, or bag...always place a snack serving on a plate or in a bowl.
Snacking is okay on a kidney diet as long as you make healthy choices that are low in sodium, sugar, and if needed potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Here are some healthy kidney-friendly snacks you can enjoy while on Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating:
- Fruits: apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, raspberries, strawberries, or unsweetened applesauce
- Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, or red bell pepper strips
- Grains: graham crackers, low sodium or unsalted tortilla chips, rice cakes, unsalted pretzels, pita chips, or popcorn
- Dairy Alternatives: unsweetened, fortified almond or rice milk, non-dairy yogurts such as coconut, cashew, oat, or almond yogurt (watch out for added phosphorus)
High Protein Snacks (you may need phosphate binders with these)
Chicken Salad, Cottage Cheese, Egg Salad, Hard-boiled Eggs, High-Protein Supplements (such as glucerna), or Tuna Salad
Related Blogs:
Top 10 Nutrition Questions About Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating