Kidney-friendly Snacks: Road Trip Edition

Heading out on a road trip is an exciting adventure, but if you are also managing kidney disease, it can present challenges, especially when it comes to finding suitable snacks. With careful planning and consideration, you can still enjoy delicious and kidney-friendly snacks to fuel your journey while keeping your health a top priority. This blog post will include some favourite kidney-friendly snacks you can pack ahead of pick up on the road.

Know Your Nutrients

Before hitting the road, it’s essential to understand which nutrients are beneficial for kidney health. Potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and protein are key considerations. Look to include those low sodium options. Remember to read food labels for sources of sodium. Opt for snacks that are low in potassium and phosphorus if needed.

Stay Hydrated

Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your road trip. Pack plenty of water to sip on throughout the day. Limit sugary drinks and opt for water-rich fruits like watermelon to help meet your fluid needs while keeping your kidneys happy.

Remember Food Safety

Longer road trips may call for sealable containers, ice packs and coolers to safely transport your favourite foods depending on the time of year. You don’t want any food in the temperature danger zone of 4°C to 60°C (40°F to 140°F) on the road trip as this is the range where harmful bacteria can easily grow and multiply.

Remember to wash your vegetables and fruit with water. Try slicing them up for easy eating on the road.

Don’t forget to pack some hand sanitizer and napkins.

Kidney-Friendly Snacks

Here are some top kidney-friendly snacks for the road.

• Fresh fruit slices: Fresh fruits like apples, pears, and berries are excellent choices for kidney-friendly snacking. Prepare fruit slices in advance and store them in a cooler for a refreshing and healthy snack option.
• Vegetables and hummus: Crisp, crunchy vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers paired with a side of hummus make for a satisfying and kidney-friendly snack. Vegetables are naturally low in potassium and phosphorus, and hummus provides a protein boost without overloading on sodium.
• Trailmix: Create your own kidney-friendly trail mix by combining unsalted nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Nuts and seeds are rich in protein and healthy fats, making them an excellent source of energy for long drives. You can often pick up roasted and unsalted nuts like pistachios or almonds or cashews at road stops.
• Rice cakes with nut butter: Rice cakes are a versatile snack option that can be topped with kidney-friendly spreads like almond or cashew butter. Nut butter provides protein and healthy fats while rice cakes offer a satisfying crunch without the added sodium found in traditional snack options.
• Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn is a kidney-friendly alternative to traditional salty snacks like chips. It’s low in sodium and phosphorus while providing a satisfying crunch. Pack individual portions in resealable bags for a guilt-free snack that you can enjoy throughout your journey. You can even get individual bags at the store now.
• Sweet treats: Grab your favourite kidney-friendly treat like Rice Kripies, Good Bites (Lemon Coconut is delicious), Made Good cookies (try the Vanilla flavour). These can often be found on the road or grab some to keep in the car as they are shelf stable.

Are you heading out for a kidney-friendly road trip?

Road trips can be enjoyable experiences, even for individuals managing kidney disease. By choosing kidney-friendly snacks and staying mindful of your nutrient intake, you can fuel your journey while supporting your overall health. With a little planning and preparation, you can indulge in delicious snacks without compromising your dietary restrictions. Safe travels!