Planning meals at home can be challenging enough when you need to stick to a kidney-friendly diet. Dining out can feel downright daunting. These tips from the American Kidney Fund (AKF) and Kidney Kitchen can help you eat healthily and avoid overwhelm when eating out.* 

How and what to order

If you are on a diet that limits phosphorus, potassium, and sodium intake, one way to save time and anxiety when perusing a restaurant menu is to home in on foods described as:

• Blackened
• Broiled
• Grilled
• Poached
• Steamed
• Sautéed

Foods prepared in this way are likely to contain fewer calories and phosphorus additives.

If you’re craving fast/casual food, or if that’s your only option, then order:

• A hamburger instead of a cheeseburger
• Grilled chicken or fish instead of fried (in both sandwiches and salads)
• Gravies, sauces, and salad dressings on the side, so that you can control how much you use

If offered the choice, get an apple on the side instead of bread, fries, or a biscuit.

What foods to avoid

Foods best limited, or avoided altogether, include dishes described as:

• À la mode
• Au gratin
• Battered or breaded 
• Butter
• Cheesy or creamy
• Crispy or crunchy
• Fried or pan-fried
• Scalloped, smothered, or stuffed

Some popular fast food items to avoid include:

• Fried chicken and fish
• Jalapeño poppers and mozzarella sticks
• Pancakes and waffles
• White rice and croutons
• Cola drinks
• Bacon
• Avocado and avocado-based dishes like guacamole
• Mayonnaise-based salads (coleslaw, potato salad, tuna salad, egg salad, etc.)

These tend to be higher in calories and to contain phosphorus additives.

Further tips

AKF and Kidney Kitchen also recommend ordering:

• Extra grilled peppers and onions
• Either beans or meat (not both)
• Either cheese or sour cream (not both)

The tip sheet also carries a reminder to take your phosphorus binders when eating out. 

*American Kidney Fund | Kidney Kitchen. (n.d.) Dine out with confidence. https://kidneyfund.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dine_Out_032919.pdf 

Responsum Health closely vets all sources to ensure that we always provide you with high-quality, reliable information. We do not, however, endorse or recommend any specific providers, treatments, or products, and the use of a given source does not imply an endorsement of any provider, treatment, medication, or procedure discussed within.