Healthy Renal-Friendly Diet Snack Ideas Perfect For CKD

Who doesn’t love to snack? And while snacking can lead to unwanted calories, making smart snacking choices can be part of a healthy diet for your kidney health. The key is to be prepared, making sure to purchase or make healthy renal friendly snacks, so you have them when you want them. Let’s talk about the best snacks for people with kidney disease or if you have kidney failure or chronic kidney disease.

What Is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Your kidneys are a filtering organ. They filter waste and excess fluids from your blood and create urine. Various conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetics can cause your kidney function to start breaking down. As this breakdown progresses you may be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease also often called Chronic Kidney Failure. As your kidneys lose their ability to filter decreases. This means that it becomes vital for you to pay attention to your diet. Nutrients like sodium, potassium, and even phosphorus need to be reduced. It’s all part of a healthy renal diet.

What Types of Foods Are Good for A Renal Diet?

Because your kidneys aren’t filtering as well as they used to, there are certain nutrients that are reduced on a renal diet. These nutrients include sodium, potassium, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. For example, a bag of potato chips for a snack isn’t a great idea because it’s high in sodium. High sodium content can cause fluid buildup, hypertension or high blood pressure, and a strain on your heart and kidneys. While snacking on a renal diet is fine, you do have to be smart about it and prepared.

What Low Potassium Renal Diet Snacks Are Good for Kidney Disease?

Because potassium needs to be reduced on a renal diet, it’s important to choose snacks that are low in potassium. A banana, for example, would not be a wise choice because it is high in potassium, 422 mg in a medium sized banana. However, other fruits and vegetables are low in potassium and just as easy to enjoy.

Apple – an apple is a fantastic choice as it has only 195 mg of potassium. Add some unsalted almond butter for a little protein.

Peppers – green and red peppers sliced are a crunchy and tasty snack.

Berries – strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all a perfect summertime snack. They’re sweet, satisfying, and can be part of a healthy renal diet.

Grapes – Grapes have 176 mg of potassium in a cup.

Chopped Vegetables -Vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, and cucumber make a healthy and crunchy snack.

Suitable Protein Snacks for A Kidney Patient on Dialysis

Protein is a nutrient that you have to watch when you’re managing kidney disease. If you’re on dialysis, you’ll need to eat extra protein because you lose some during the process. Here are a few protein snacks to consider.

Hardboiled Eggs – One hard boiled egg has 6 grams of protein. They’re very filling

Chicken Salad – Low sodium chicken salad is an easy snack. You can make it ahead

of time and enjoy it with some low sodium crackers or on some greens.

Tuna Salad – Like chicken salad, tuna salad offers the protein you’ll need if you’re on dialysis and it has the healthy omega 3 fats found in fish. You can opt for salmon salad if you want more healthy fats.

Protein Bars – Protein bars can be a good option, however it’s important to make that their sodium, potassium, and phosphorus levels are appropriate for your kidney health.

Granola Bars – Like protein bars, they can be an easy snack on the go. If they have added protein or nuts, that can increase their protein level.

Added protein isn’t necessary for most renal diets unless you’re on dialysis. However, granola bars don’t have to be high in protein. There are several kidney friendly granola bars to consider.

Kidney Friendly Granola Bars for A Healthy Renal Diet

Granola bars, protein bars, and snack bars are an easy to grab option. You can put them in your desk at work, in your car’s glove box, or in your bag. So, you have one when you need it. Not all of them, however, are kidney friendly. Here are a few healthy renal diet options to consider:

Balance Bars – Balance Bars tend to be kidney friendly. However, it’s always recommended that you read the label. The Peanut Butter Balance Bar has 15g protein, 115mg potassium, 110mg phosphorus, and 170mg sodium.

Pure Bars – Pure Bars are high in protein and generally low in sodium. The Chocolate Deluxe bar, for example, has 21 grams of protein, 160mg potassium, and 90 mg of sodium.

Zone Bars – The Zone Bar is a classic. They are usually well balanced and a little lower in protein than say a Pure Bar. The Oatmeal Chocolate Crunch has 10g protein, 150mg sodium, and 80 mg of potassium.

You can also find recipes for renal friendly snack bars, energy bars, and granola bars. Make your own and have more control over the sugar and sodium content. In addition to bars, you might consider low sodium crackers, pretzels, rice cakes, and even popcorn.

Is Popcorn OK For Kidney Disease?

Popcorn by itself, meaning no added toppings, is a kidney friendly snack option. It’s low in protein, potassium, and sodium and great for people with kidney disease. However, if you’re going to add a topping, like salt, then you have to start paying close attention. Consider skipping the salt and butter and instead top it with something like nutritional yeast, sriracha, or a little unsalted butter. If you prefer prepackaged popcorn, look for brands like Skinny Pop which are low sodium.

Now that you have a few healthy ideas for renal diet snacks, it’s time to pick some up for help getting a handle on kidney disease. Remember to focus on low sodium and low potassium. If you’re on a renal diet, then consider looking for snacks that add a bit of protein to your diet. Snacking can be part of a healthy renal diet if you take care to be prepared, investigate ingredients, and fuel your body with the right