Kidney friendly frozen dinners are a quick and easy solution for busy evenings, offering convenience without extensive meal preparation. However, it is important to make informed choices to avoid excess sodium and phosphorus. By making informed choices, you can enjoy the convenience of frozen dinners while maintaining a CKD-friendly diet!
This guide will help you navigate the frozen food aisle, offering tips on reading nutrition labels, selecting healthier options, and suggesting some delicious meal ideas. So, let’s take a look at kidney friendly frozen dinners.
Reading Food Labels for Kidney Friendly Frozen Dinners
When selecting kidney friendly frozen dinners for a CKD-friendly diet, check the nutrition labels for:
Sodium: Aim to select meals with less than 600 mg of sodium per serving or 25% daily value or less. High sodium intake can be common in frozen dinners, increasing blood pressure and fluid retention which can be harmful to kidney health. The recommended daily sodium intake for those with CKD is 1500-2300 mg.
Phosphorus: Frozen foods often contain added phosphorus as a preservative. Phosphorus may not always be listed on a nutritional label, so look out for ingredients with “phos” in the name, such as “sodium phosphate” or “calcium phosphate”. For individuals with CKD, it is recommended to limit phosphorus intake to 800-1000 mg per day but we always want to avoid added phosphorus.
Tips For Buying Frozen Meals
When shopping for kidney friendly frozen dinners, keep these CKD-friendly tips in mind:
- Select Low-Sodium Options – keep an eye out for labels that say “low sodium”, “reduced sodium”, or “no salt added”.
- Avoid High-Phosphorus Additives – aim to steer clear of meals containing preservatives or additives containing “phos” in their names.
- Select Smaller Portions – consider frozen meals with controlled portion sizes to help manage phosphorus and sodium intake.
- Add Fresh Sides – enhance a frozen meal by adding fruits and vegetables to increase the fibre, such as apples, berries, salad or green beans.
Kidney Friendly Frozen Dinners and Ideas
It is possible to balance convenience with kidney health with the following meal ideas:
- Dr Oetker Veggie Frozen Pizza – choose a low-sodium pizza and pair it with a fresh green salad or cut up veggies and dip for a quick and easy meal. Most food labels for frozen pizza are for the entire pizza, remember to only take a portion of the pizza.
- PC Blue Menu Meat or Vegetable Lasagna – made with multigrain pasta, lean ground beef or vegetables, and a moderate sodium content, this can be a good base for a balanced meal. Try this half a portion of this frozen meal with a side of steamed vegetables such as green beans or cauliflower.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry – enhance a frozen vegetable stir-fry with fresh, low-potassium vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots. Use these with tofu to make a delicious meal.
Dinner Can Be Easy and Kidney Friendly
With a bit of label-reading and thoughtful selection, frozen dinners can be a convenient and kidney-friendly meal option. Prioritize meals with low sodium and minimal added phosphorus. By pairing frozen meals with fresh, low-potassium sides, you can enjoy the convenience of kidney friendly frozen dinners while maintaining a CKD-friendly diet!
This article was written by Neha Dewan, Nutrition Student Volunteer.
This article was reviewed by Emily Campbell, RD CDE MScFN.
