Lauren Budd Levy, a registered dietitian and board-certified renal nutrition specialist, has been working exclusively with kidney disease patients since 2010. She now leads a virtual private practice and serves as a nonprofit director at CUB.org, promoting plant-based, kidney-friendly recipes. In a recent presentation in partnership with Responsum for CKD, Lauren shared valuable tips for navigating holiday meal planning with a focus on kidney health and addressing challenges like meal modifications and nutritional balance while celebrating the holidays.*

General Kidney-Friendly Holiday Meal Tips

Lauren emphasizes the ease of creating a balanced holiday meal plan without compromising on taste or cultural traditions. Some of her key tips include:

• Choosing frozen vegetables, as they are budget-friendly and nutritious
• Focusing on fresh in-season fruits and veggies, and skipping the pressure to buy organic
• Cooking without added salt (“It’s easier to add salt later than to take it out.”)
• Freezing or sharing leftovers to avoid overindulgence

Key Nutrients to Watch: Salt, Potassium, and Phosphorus

At different stages of CKD, many people need to limit their intake of phosphorus, potassium, and sodium (salt), especially in later stages when their kidneys are unable to process and flush out excess amounts of these nutrients. Lauren suggests these strategies to manage them:

• Salt. Use no-added-salt products, rinse canned foods, and encourage guests (or host, if you’re a guest) to add salt at the table rather than during cooking.
• Potassium. Opt for techniques like double-boiling potatoes or soaking beans overnight to reduce potassium content. 
• Phosphorus. Minimize foods with phosphorus additives and take prescribed phosphate binders as directed during meals.

Lauren also introduces creative and kidney-friendly recipes like a vegan pot pie made with double-boiled potatoes, non-dairy milk, and fresh herbs. “This dish retains its festive charm while being lighter on kidneys,” she says.

Other recommendations include:

• Replacing mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower for lower potassium.
• Swapping condensed milk for non-dairy options in desserts.
• Substitute spaghetti squash for winter squash, and apples for pumpkin
• Using sparkling water with a splash of juice for a festive drink alternative to alcohol
• Filling your plate with veggies and sides first, then adding your main protein

Enjoying Your Festive, Kidney-Friendly Holiday Meal

Regardless of your restrictions, Lauren encourages everyone to “build a balanced plate that is plant-forward” and to prioritize joy and connection during the holidays. Thoughtful meal planning can support kidney health while keeping the spirit of celebration alive. 

For more recipes and guidance, watch the full video and visit CUB.org.

*Levy, L. (2024, November 19). Nourish & Celebrate A CKD Guide to Festive Eating [Video file). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A028ALIVvvQ 

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