Tasty meal ideas
Meals may need a little more thought and planning when following a kidney diet. However, it is still possible to have tasty meals that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Pasta or noodles
Start with: any kind of pasta: spaghetti, spirals, orzo, etc.
Add a sauce: butter, garlic, herbs, oil, small amounts of marinara or cream sauces.
Add more: add fresh, cooked meat or fish and some lower potassium vegetables such as runner beans, beansprouts and carrots.
Example idea: Spiral pasta with fresh, cooked chicken and peas in a cream based sauce.
Rice or cous cous
Start with: any kind of rice: long grain, wild rice, pilau rice, basmati rice and risotto. Cous cous can also be used.
Add a sauce: fresh, cooked meat or fish
Add more: add some lower potassium vegetables.
Example idea: Wild rice with beef, carrots and broccoli.
Salads
Start with: mixed lettuce.
Add Veggies: chopped green peppers, cucumber and a small amount of onion.
Add more: cream cheese, tuna, cottage cheese.
Add: a low salt dressing, mayonnaise, salad cream or oilve oil. You can also add croutons for added crunch!
Example idea: Mixed greens with an oil and vinegar dressing, chopped, grilled chicken, sprinkling of sweetcorn, and sliced apple.
Sandwiches
Start with: your bread; consider different types such as wholemeal or granary bread, pitta, tortilla, sourdough, bun etc
Add Fresh, Cooked Meat: such as chicken, pulled pork, or a beefburger. You could try a bean burger if you prefer to have a meat-free option.
Add more: mustard, mayonnaise, relish..
Add Low Potassium Vegetables: cucumber, peppers, sweetcorn, lettuce or grated carrot.
Example idea: Grilled chicken sandwich on a sourdough bun with lettuce and mustard
Want to add a side dish?
Try Lower Potassium Vegetables: sliced carrots, asparagus, or a green side salad.
Try Lower Potassium Fruit such as: grapes, strawberries, canned fruit in syrup such as peaches or pears, apple slices, etc.
Try: unsalted tortilla chips, breadsticks, unsalted rice cakes, corn cakes, pitta wedges.
Example idea: Grilled chicken sandwich on a sourdough bun with lettuce and mustard
Always check with your dietitian regarding which foods you can have and which foods you should limit in your diet. Everyone’s needs are different.