Maintaining kidney health involves making informed dietary choices, and that includes snacks. It's essential to remember that everyone's nutritional needs are different. Do not change or adjust your diet before speaking with a kidney dietitian or a healthcare provider first. Eating the right foods and snacks can support kidney health. If you're looking for easy, healthy options perfect for any time of day, read on.
Understanding Kidney-Friendly Snacking
Your kidneys are your body’s natural filtration system, and it’s important to keep them healthy so they can perform this vital task. For those with kidney concerns, a well-planned diet plays a crucial role. Often, this involves managing the intake of sodium, protein, potassium, or phosphorus. But that doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or enjoyment.
Autumn-Inspired Snack Recipes
As the crisp autumn air settles in, it's the perfect time to indulge in comforting fall flavors that are delicious and mindful of your dietary needs. Whether you're looking for a cozy dessert or a flavorful dip, these recipes offer a delightful way to embrace fall's bounty while keeping health in mind.
1. Pumpkin Maple Custard
This pumpkin custard is a delightful fall dessert that captures the season's essence. Blending creamy soy milk, rich canned pumpkin, and egg yolks with a touch of pumpkin pie spice offers a warm and comforting treat perfect for crisp autumn days.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups soy milk
- 1 cup (7.5 oz) canned pumpkin
- 3 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- ¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp of maple syrup
Directions:
- Heat soy milk in the microwave to a simmer.
- Mix egg yolks and sugar.
- Mix all ingredients except the maple syrup.
- Pour mixture into lightly oiled soufflé cups, filling them ½ to ⅔ full.
- Place soufflé cups in a baking dish.
- Pour hot water into the baking pan until the water depth is ½ way up the sides of the soufflé cups.
- Bake at 325° for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. The custard should be firm when you jiggle.
- Cool completely.
- Warm maple syrup and drizzle over the top before serving.
2. Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples
This fall recipe features roasted butternut squash and apples, spiced with thyme and cinnamon, and finished with a touch of maple syrup. The sweet and savory flavors and tender, caramelized vegetables make it a perfect autumn snack.
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Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash (2 ½ pounds), peeled & chopped into ½” cubes
- 4 large apples, cored & chopped into ½” pieces
- 1 onion, ½" pieces
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Two pinches salt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (may substitute for pomegranate, blueberry, or other fruit-flavored vinegar)
Directions:
- On a large baking sheet, toss squash, apples, and onion with two tablespoons of olive oil, thyme, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt.
- Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Whisk the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, syrup, and vinegar.
- Pour over cooked vegetables and toss to coat.
3. Apple Spice Cake
Our apple-spice cake is a perfect fall treat for people with kidney disease. It uses tart Granny Smith apples mixed into a sugar-free cake batter spiced with nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. It's a warm, comforting dessert that celebrates autumn flavors in a simple treat.
Ingredients:
- 3 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored & sliced
- 1 yellow sugar-free cake mix
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup oil
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 3 tbsp maple sugar
Directions:
- Microwave apple slices until soft, about 5 minutes on high.
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Let the apple cool while you mix the cake batter.
- In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, spices, egg whites, water, and oil; follow the mixing directions on the box.
- Mix in the apples.
- Pour the batter into a non-stick 9 X 13 cake pan.
- Bake until the cake is done (a toothpick comes out clean), 35 to 45 minutes. (Remember, this batter has very little sugar, so the cake doesn't brown.)
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Sprinkle the top of the cake with maple sugar.
4. Apple Caramel Crisp
This delicious and health-conscious dessert is perfect for those following a kidney- or diabetes-friendly diet. It is easy to prepare and a satisfying, nutritious treat that fits seamlessly into various meal plans.
Ingredients:
- 5 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup Caramel Flavoring, sugar-free
- ⅓ cup All Purpose (AP) flour
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup Oatmeal
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- Butter spray
Directions:
- Toss sliced apples in lemon juice; pour off any extra lemon juice.
- Soak apple slices in caramel flavoring for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Lightly oil an 8X8 pan, and place apples in the bottom.
- Mix flour, oatmeal, and cinnamon; then cut in the butter until you have small pieces, and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the apples.
- Bake for 40 minutes; spray the top with a butter spray and bake for another 5 minutes.
5. Curry Ginger Pea Dip
This dip is a fantastic autumn treat, offering a warm, comforting flavor profile that complements the season. The fresh ginger and curry powder blend adds a cozy, spicy kick, making it perfect for cooler weather. Serve it with salt-free rice crackers or toasted low-sodium corn tortillas for a wholesome, autumnal dip.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen peas, boiled or steamed
- ½ cup frozen corn, thawed
- ½ - inch piece of raw ginger, peeled and chopped
- ¼ tsp salt-free curry powder
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch cayenne, optional
Directions:
- Place all the ingredients together in a blender with two tablespoons of water.
- Puree until it is smooth, and add more water as necessary to get the desired "dip" consistency.
- Taste and adjust spices as necessary.
- Serve with salt-free rice crackers or toasted low-sodium corn tortillas.
More Kidney-Friendly Snack Ideas
There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to healthy snacks. Here are some additional ideas:
- Unsalted Corn Tortilla Chips with Homemade Salsa: Looking for a crunchy snack? Try some unsalted corn tortilla chips with homemade salsa. Use a blender to combine two tomatoes, half a white onion, two jalapeños (optional for spice), one-third cup of cilantro, and a splash of lime juice. Tomatoes are high in potassium, but they aren’t totally off-limits if you’re following a low-potassium diet. Just keep your portion size small (one to two tablespoons).
- DIY Trail Mix: Store-bought trail mix can be high in potassium and phosphorus. Make your own healthier version by combining unsalted walnuts, macadamia nuts, and Honey Nut Cheerios®.
- Apple Slices with Nut Butter: Hanging out with the kids or grandkids calls for quick, easy snacks. Slice an apple and serve with a small amount of your favorite nut butter.
- Homemade Popsicles: Making popsicles is easy. Buy popsicle molds at your local dollar store-or use freezer-safe cups and popsicle sticks. Blend watermelon, blueberries, or strawberries with water, pour into your mold, and freeze!
- Kidney-Friendly Dips: We love a good dip, and this one is no exception. *Try to prepare the eggplant soon after you purchase. Preheat oven to 450 °F and place the top rack in the upper third of the oven. Halve the eggplant lengthwise and brush the cut sides lightly with olive oil. Roast about 35-40 minutes until the interior is very tender throughout and the skin collapses. Flip the eggplants over and scoop out flesh with a large spoon. Place a mesh strainer over a mixing bowl, then transfer the flesh to the strainer and let rest for a few minutes. Discard the eggplant drippings. Add tahini to the bowl and stir until it’s incorporated. While stirring, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue stirring until the mixture is pale and creamy. Stir in the parsley, salt, and cumin.
Nutritional Needs of Children with Renal Insufficiency
The nutritional needs of children with renal insufficiency are complex. The goals of medical nutrition therapy are to:
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- Promote normal growth and development
- Maintain optimal nutrition status
- Reduce the risk of malnutrition, uremic toxicity, and metabolic abnormalities
Diet recommendations are individualized. Fluid and electrolyte recommendations will vary depending on an individual’s primary diagnosis, urine output, stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and serum chemistry values. To help prevent metabolic abnormalities, dietary sodium, potassium, and phosphorus may be restricted.
Important Considerations
This content is provided for informational use only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian specializing in kidney health before making significant changes to your diet. They can help you create a personalized meal plan that meets your specific needs and helps you manage your kidney health effectively.
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