When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), it can be hard enough trying to figure out what to have for your main meals without also having to worry about what to keep on hand for snacks. Here, DaVita Kidney Care shares some kidney-friendly ideas for when you’re feeling peckish.

Healthy snacks that travel well

It’s important to have healthy snacks available when you need them, whether you need an extra boost between meals or find yourself in a situation where a regularly-scheduled meal is going to be delayed. In these situations, such as unexpected meetings or being stuck in rush-hour traffic, it’s best to rely on snacks that are small enough to fit in a pocket, purse, or the glove compartment of your car, and that don’t need to be refrigerated.

Healthy snacks can balance your blood sugar, help maintain your energy and focus, and stave off headaches and irritability. Here are some suggestions from the experts:

• Dried fruit (e.g. cranberries, blueberries, etc.) is the most convenient. Ready-made fruit cups can be refreshing, but can be messy and are often packed in syrups that may be high in sugar, so proceed with caution. Fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, and tangerines are great, but shouldn’t be left in cars, lockers, etc. for long periods of time. 
• Bags of ready-made low- or no-sodium popcorn, and packets of popping corn that can be easily popped in the microwave at work have long shelf lives.
• Low-sodium crackers, pita chips, or unsalted pretzels can also be satisfying choices.
• A small can or packet of tuna or chicken is a great source of protein for energy. Don’t leave opened cans or packets unrefrigerated, though.
• Balance, ZonePerfect, and PowerBar all make kidney-friendly versions of nutrition bars and liquid supplements. General guidelines are:
  • 15 g or more of protein
  • 200 mg or less of potassium
  • 150 mg or less of phosphorus
  • 300 mg or less of sodium

Ask your dietitian for specific recommendations, to make sure your snacks meet your dietary requirements. 

*DaVita Kidney Care. (2023). 5 Kidney-Frieindly Snacks to Keep on Hand. https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/basics/5-kidney-friendly-snacks-to-keep-on-hand