15Jun 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

10 Summertime Treats and Beverages for CKD Patients

Renal Diet

10 Summertime Treats and Beverages for CKD Patients Marika Wamback, BSc. R.D.Registered Dietitian Summer is upon us! The management of CKD is constant regardless of the season; however, summer can have its unique challenges. Summertime food and treats are everywhere. This can present unique challenges to managing your fluid restrictions and renal diet needs. It can be overwhelming to keep wondering ‘what can I have?’ It can also be isolating when you feel like you can’t have something. When it’s super hot out, plain water is ok but sometimes you want something more refreshing and exciting. Try some of the ideas below to put some fun and variety in your summer and not sabotage managing your CKD. Remember, all of them count as fluids, so be sure to include…

04Jun 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Basic BBQ Rub

low-salt, recipes, Renal Diet

Basic BBQ Rub Grilling season is upon us! Aside from being a quick & easy way to cook meats, grilling is a very heart healthy cooking method. If you have kidney disease, this versatile spice mix is perfect to flavor up all kinds of meats & poultry without any salt. Kidney Friendly Tip: Use this spice mix when you make chili in the fall! Ingredients 1 ½ tsp. chili powder1 tsp. garlic powder½ tsp. oregano¼ tsp. ground cumin Preparation Combine all the ingredients. Before cooking, rub and cover meat or poultry with the seasoning mixture. Do this the night before if you want a more intense flavor. Store extra in an airtight container. Makes enough to season 2 pounds of meat. Recipe used with permission from ARA Photo…

23May 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Chicken Asparagus Feta Pasta

Kidney Disease, recipes, Renal Diet

One of the sure signs that spring has sprung is the sight of asparagus shoots! Asparagus is low in calories and a great source fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. It’s a great CKD friendly vegetable due to its low potassium, phosphorus and sodium content. Using a small amount of feta is a great way to add a punch of flavor without adding too much sodium to the dish. Next time you make this recipe, try shrimp instead of chicken! Chicken Asparagus Feta Pasta Recipe Ingredients 1 pound asparagus spears, cut into 1” pieces (approx. 2 cups)8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes16 ounces penne pasta, cooked, drained5 tablespoons olive oil1/4 teaspoon black pepper1/4 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth1 garlic clove, chopped1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese Preparation Warm…

17May 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Pantry Staples for People with CKD

Kidney Disease, Renal Diet

Pantry Staples for People with CKD by Stephanie Legin, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Who Has Time to Grocery Shop Every Day? A variety of non-perishables such as canned and dried goods, frozen fruits and vegetables, fish and meats can be stored easily for extended periods to make planning and prepping meals easy. Knowing what to purchase is important if you have CKD and may need to watch your sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and/or sugar intake (if you’re diabetic). Planning Ahead Keep your life simple, save time and plan ahead. When making your next grocery list, be sure to add some of these kidney friendly pantry staples to keep on hand. By keeping your kitchen stocked, you will always have ingredients readily available to make quick, healthy, tasty CKD friendly snacks or…

09May 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Strawberry Delight

low potassium, recipes

Is your sweet tooth craving a tasty, fruity dessert? Try this light and fluffy strawberry cream pie! This dessert is perfect for anyone needing to watch potassium and/or phosphorus in his or her diet. The base of this treat does contain 1/3 cup of nuts (high in potassium and phosphorus) but only enough to give it some crunch and some great flavor. Each serving only has 132mg potassium and 37mg phosphorus per serving! Mix it up and use raspberries or blueberries instead of strawberries the next time you make this recipe! Ingredients 1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/4 cup butter1/4 cup brown sugar1/3 cup chopped pecans1 tbsp. lemon juice7 ounces marshmallow cream16 ounces thawed frozen strawberries1 cup whipped toppingFresh strawberries for garnish Preparation Preheat oven to 325° F. Mix the flour, butter, brown sugar…

03May 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Common Complications of CKD and How to Reduce Your Risk

Kidney Disease

Marika Wamback, R.D., Registered Dietitian There are many potential complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) depending on the stage and treatment required. Listed below are common complications that can impact your health, well-being, and treatment. Reducing risks can help improve CKD management, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life. Malnutrition Malnutrition is a common risk in renal disease. If you have CKD and need to restrict your diet to manage your disease, you are at risk for malnutrition. Needing to restrict the diet in any way can lead to poor nutritional status and increases your risk for illness and infection. Being malnourished can impact how you feel and negatively impact appetite and energy levels. You may not feel like shopping for, prepping, or cooking food. This can lead to…

25Apr 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Kidney Disease, recipes, Renal Diet

Double your antioxidant buck with this light side salad. Strawberries are a great source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals. They are lower in potassium — a great CKD friendly addition to salads, desserts or just eaten by themselves as a snack! Spinach is rich in beta carotene and is a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including potassium. If you have CKD, this recipe, when eaten in the suggested serving size is a perfect addition to your meal. If you’d like to reduce the amount of potassium in the suggested serving size, substitute 1 ½ cups of spinach in the recipe with 1 ½ cups of iceberg lettuce. Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients 3 cups fresh spinach1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced¼ cup red onion, sliced1 tbps.…

19Apr 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Smart Snacking for the CKD Patient

Kidney Disease, Renal Diet

By Stephanie Legin RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian snacknoun\ ˈsnak \ : a light meal : food eaten between regular meals Many people’s schedules are so busy these days that snacks are an essential part of everyday life. Ideally, meals are eaten every 4-5 hours to keep blood sugars in check (especially for individuals with diabetes / hypoglycemia) and energy levels up, but sometimes schedules don’t allow and you need a little snack to get you through. Snacks are technically just a couple of bites of food, approximately 100 calories, and are meant to sustain you to your next meal. If you’re like most people in a hurry, you reach for whatever is quick and easy and may not consider the quality of the snack you choose. Food is fuel and the type of fuel you…

12Apr 2019 by KidneyChef 1 Comment

Four Principles of Food Safety for Individuals with CKD

Kidney Disease

Marika Wamback, BSc. R.D., Registered Dietitian Who doesn’t love good, tasty food? Good nutrition is important at any age and stage of life, and food is essential for it. When there are health issues and/or compromised immunity, nutrition and food safety become even more important. Contaminated food can result in illness, can exacerbate current health issues, and can increase risks and mortality in immunocompromised populations. The World Health Organization states that 600 million people per year get sick from contaminated food and 400 thousand of them die. With a global food system, there is a risk of contaminated food due to different regulations, handlers, transportation needs, and growing methods. In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is our federal agency that ensures the safety of our food supply.…

02Apr 2019 by KidneyChef No Comments

Shrimp with Basil Lemon Butter

Kidney Disease, recipes, Renal Diet

Including shrimp into your CKD diet is a great way to get very lean, good quality protein in your diet. Not only is it naturally low in saturated fat and calories, it is a great source of selenium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (great for the heart!). Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 3 tbsp. finely chopped shallots ½ fresh lemon 1 lb. raw, peeled shrimp 2 tbsp. fresh snipped parsley 2 tbsp. fresh chopped basil 2 tbsp. grated lemon peel Preparation In a saute pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in shallots and cook until soft.Add in shrimp and cook until done. Approx. 5-7 minutes.Add juice from ½ lemon, parsley, basil, and lemon peel. Stir until hot.Serve with cooked pasta. Nutritional Information (per 4oz serving): 248kcal, 275mg sodium, 175mg…