Breakfast Ideas for Kidney Disease

Are you looking for a nutritious breakfast ideas for kidney disease to start your day?

Do you have chronic kidney disease and are you concerned about the high potassium content found in avocados?

If you said yes to either of these, this post has you covered!

Avocado toast can be considered as the new classic breakfast option, with heart healthy fats and fibre that helps you feel fuller for a longer period of time. It also offers many options in what you decide to top your avocado toast with, ranging from seasonings to a variety of fresh vegetables. Whether you have chronic kidney disease or looking for a change in your regular eating patterns, this lemon and red pepper avocado toast is a great addition to everyone’s diet and a delicious breakfast ideas for kidney disease.

What Is The Best Bread To Use For Breakfast Ideas For Kidney Disease?

If you have checked out the Best Bread for CKD blog post, you’d know that whole grains include all three parts of the grain, making them higher in fibre which keep us full for longer, control our blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and help to preserve kidney function. They are also higher in vitamins B and E compared to refined grains such as white bread. 

Taking a step further, when comparing sourdough and whole wheat bread, both have a low glycemic index. But whole wheat outperforms in fibre and resistant starch levels, providing more health benefits. And due to sourdough’s bioavailability and better digestibility, it can be considered a nutritional powerhouse. 

So with CKD, you have a lot of great bread options that are not just white bread.

What Are The Health Benefits of Avocados?

Avocados are a prime example of one of the superfoods as this fruit is packed with fibre and heart-healthy fats and low in carbs. They are nutrient-dense, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals to obtain a balanced and nutritious diet. 

Avocados and their healthy fats and fibre are a great addition to a kidney-friendly diet to help manage blood sugars, blood pressure, gut health, and cholesterol levels. Compared to other fruits, avocados don’t contain sugar but rather, help to stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels. The potassium in avocados also helps to counter sodium and reduce blood pressure while being rich in inflammation-fighting compounds that enhance blood flow. But remember too much of a good thing, is not always good. Avocados do have 487 mg potassium in 1/2 avocado, so remember to keep this in mind with your potassium budget.

Avocados and Potassium with CKD

Those with chronic kidney disease often avoid avocado because of its high potassium content and the kidney’s inability to remove potassium from blood with decreased function. For those with a potassium restriction, it is key to consider portion sizes. Rather than having the whole avocado, using ¼ cup per serving may better align with your nutrient needs. But remember, not everyone with CKD requires a potassium restriction. 

This recipe for a Lemon and Red Pepper Avocado Toast makes way for the addition of a variety of toppings and vegetable add-ons to your avocado toast while following a kidney-friendly diet.

Even on a potassium restriction diet, this perfectly portioned avocado toast will be sure to please. This recipe is a great example of how favourite foods eaten in moderation can still be healthy.

This article was written by Neha Dewan, Nutrition Student Volunteer.
This article was reviewed by Emily Campbell, RD CDE MScFN.