Snacking is a common part of many people’s daily routines, regardless of their eating habits. For those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), snacking isn’t off the table, but it does require thoughtful planning to ensure the snacks are kidney-friendly. Whether you’re in the early stages of CKD or undergoing dialysis, making smart snack choices can help you maintain your diet without sacrificing the pleasure of a tasty treat. Here are some kidney-friendly snack ideas.*

Snacking on the Kidney Diet

When managing CKD, snacking can be part of a healthy diet as long as you choose wisely. It’s important to avoid snacks high in sodium, such as potato chips, and opt for kidney-friendly options like fruits. 

Portion control is also important. Your physician or renal dietitian can guide you in selecting snacks that help meet your nutritional needs, especially if you’re advised to increase your calorie intake. Snacks can be an excellent way to supplement your diet when your appetite is low.

Kidney-Friendly Grocery Store Snacks

Navigating the snack aisles at the grocery store can be challenging for CKD patients, as many common snacks contain ingredients that are not kidney-friendly, such as high levels of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and calcium. 

With some guidance, however, you can find a variety of kidney-friendly options, such as:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables, like apples, blueberries, and carrot sticks,
• Low-sodium crackers and unsalted pretzels, or  
• Vanilla wafers and fruit pies.

Enjoying Snacks on the Kidney Diet

The key to enjoying snacks while managing CKD is moderation and making informed choices. With a bit of creativity and advice from your healthcare team, you can enjoy a variety of delicious snacks that align with your kidney health needs. 

Whether you prefer sweet, sour (cucumbers with sour cream), spicy (corn bread or tortilla chips), or savory flavors (shrimp spread on crackers), there are kidney-friendly recipes and snacks available that allow you to indulge without guilt. The goal is to make snacking a pleasurable part of your diet while keeping your kidneys in mind.

*DaVita Kidney Care. (n.d.) Snacks for a Kidney Diet. Retrieved from https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/snacks-for-a-kidney-diet 

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