Stocking a Kidney Friendly Pantry

In this post, Renal Dietician Emily Campbell explains how people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can  keep a kidney friendly pantry.

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Protein

Protein is essential for any diet. But in a renal diet, it should be monitored because they typically is high in organic phosphorus (typically daily phosphorus intake should be no more than 1000 mg). A good rule of thumb is that your protein should be about a quarter of your plate.

Some great choices to stock your renal friendly pantry are:

• Low sodium canned tuna
• Unsalted nuts or seeds
• Low sodium peanut or almond butter
• Canned beans like chickpeas or lentils

Grains / Starches

Grains and starches provide energy and fiber. Some examples of whole grains that fit in your kidney-friendly pantry are:

• Wild rice
• Oatmeal
• Couscous
• Bulgur
• Buckwheat
• Brown rice
• Barley

Cans / Jars

Canned and jarred items are staples in most pantries. However, most canned foods use salt as a preservative. Renal patients need to limit their sodium intake to no more than 2000 mg per day. So, for the canned and jarred goods, you need to look at the labels and select low salt or no salt options. The following are good things to stock in your pantry but please take care to watch the amount of salt in the ingredients.

• Tomatoes
• Low sodium soap
• Pears
• Peaches
• Peas
• Mandarin oranges canned in water
• Green beans
• Fruit cocktail
• Corn
• Carrots
• Beans or legumes
• Applesauce

Herbs / Spices

Spices make food more enjoyable. But as previously stated, you have to watch the sodium if you are a CKD patient. Too much salt can cause our kidneys to work harder and lead to progression of kidney disease. Some good choices for a renal friendly pantry herbs and spices include:

• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Curry Powder
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Bay leaves
• Basil

Sauces / Condiments

Sauces and condiments are typically high in sodium (seeing a pattern here?). You need to select low sodium (less than 140 mg per serving) or ideally no salt options. Another thing to look out for on the the food label is for hidden sources of added phosphorus and ideally choose foods that have no added phosphorus in the ingredient list.

Some renal-friendly pantry staples are:

• Red wine, balsamic and white vinegar
• Mustard
• Olive and Canola oil
• Garlic infuse oil
• Low sodium barbecue sauce
• Coconut aminos which is a good low sodium replacement for soy sauce
• Tomato sauce

You can use this post as a guide to build a renal friendly pantry.

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Credit

This blog was based on a post written by Emily Campbell and published here with her permission. The original post can be found here.

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Related Articles

Protein and the Renal Hemodialysis Diet

Phosphorus and the Renal Hemodialysis Diet

Potassium and the Renal Hemodialysis Diet

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About Emily Campbell

Emily Campbell is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition who lives in Toronto, ON. Over the years, she has experience working with individuals with a variety of kidney conditions to help them improve their eating; and preserve their kidney function through her career in hospitals as well as her private practice Kidney Nutrition. Not only does she have experience as a renal dietitian with patients, but she also has family members living with kidney disease so she understand the stress and complexities mealtime and celebrations can present. She has been practicing as a renal dietitian for over six years and am also is a two-time cookbook author of The Complete Renal Diet Cookbook and Renal Diet Cookbook for Caregivers.

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Patient Education Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. KidneyLuv makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely, but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or health care professional.

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