When one person in the family is living with a chronic condition such as renal disease, it can tend to affect the whole family. Especially because it can just be simply too much trouble to prepare multiple meals, often the diet of the entire family ends up being affected. This kidney friendly diet is so much healthier than the Standard American Diet, the change in diet certainly isn’t a bad thing, but kids can be picky. What you need are kidney friendly meals that the whole family can enjoy.
What to Watch Out For:
To make kidney friendly meals for the whole family, you first have to understand what to watch out for when preparing meals. Your doctor will tell you what you need to watch out for, as the strictness of your diet will largely depend on what stage renal disease you are in. Most people with renal disease need to be wary of sodium in their diets. Some other typical food ingredients that some patients need to watch out for are potassium and phosphorus. Get a list of foods that you should avoid from your doctor.
Meal Ideas for the Whole Family
Preparing separate meals is expensive and unnecessary, even if one family member has renal disease. It isn’t fair to the cook, your wallet, or the person who has to eat a controlled diet. There are plenty of things that the whole family can eat. Here are some renal friendly family meals that your whole family can enjoy.
Easy Stir Fry
In a wok or large pan, heat a small amount of sesame oil. Sauté fresh chopped vegetables such as asparagus, red and green bell peppers, peas, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and broccoli. If desired, slice up and add in some chicken breast, lean beef, or shrimp. Season your food with low sodium soy sauce, being careful not to overdo it. Serve over white rice.
Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
Another simple classic, simply grill some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Season them with salt free spice mix or fresh herbs like rosemary and garlic. Make a pocket out of aluminum foil and throw in fresh broccoli florets, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower with a little bit of margarine. Cook on grill until desired softness.
Noodles and Cream Sauce
Prepare your favorite pasta without salting the water. In a separate pan, sauté some sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and garlic. Make a simple cream sauce using reduced fat cream cheese, a little margarine, and paprika. Toss in pasta.
Personal Pizzas
Using pita bread, have the whole family make their own mini pizzas. Provide lots of healthy and kidney friendly toppings and let everyone choose their own. Bake to perfection and enjoy.
Kidney friendly meals don’t have to be a struggle in your home. You can find plenty of recipes and ideas that the whole family can enjoy. This means no more making separate meals for everyone, which means less hassle and work for you. For some great ideas for renal friendly family meals, click here.
Also published on Medium.
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