Eating out can feel tricky when managing kidney health, especially at popular sandwich chains like Subway or Firehouse Subs. But the good news? Since you get to customize your toppings, you can enjoy a delicious sub without compromising your kidneys! Choose fresh veggies, lean proteins, and reduce salt to keep it tasty and kidney-friendly. This blog post has you covered with kidney-friendly strategies for eating a sandwich for CKD patients.
Strategies for choosing a sandwich for CKD patients
1. Choose Your Bread Wisely
Opt for whole grain breads when available for your sandwich for CKD patients. Whole grains provide more fiber and nutrients than white bread and can help with digestion and heart health.
2. Go Easy on the Protein
Select lean proteins like turkey, chicken breast, or eggs, which tend to be lower in phosphorus and sodium compared to processed meats like salami, bacon or ham.
3. Load Up on Vegetables
Fresh vegetables like lettuce, cucumbers, and bell peppers add crunch and nutrients without excess potassium or sodium. Just a heads-up, some vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, and avocado are high in potassium. It is a good idea to check with your doctor or dietitian before including them in your diet.
4. What about Cheese?
Cheese is high in calcium which is essential to maintain the integrity of our bone structure, making it an important mineral in our diet. It is also high in probiotics which is great for gut health. However, cheese can be high in sodium, especially if processed. Swiss or mozzarella are great low sodium cheeses for your sandwich for CKD patients.
5. Lost in the Sauce
Not sure which sauce to pick? Many sandwich shops offer flavorful sauces or dressings which can be high in sodium, but there is no need to skip it! At Subway, the mayonnaise and Sweet Onion Sauce keep things tasty with less sodium.
Other things to consider with sandwich for CKD patients
Balance Your Meals
Pair your sandwich with a low-sodium side like apple slices or a small salad without dressing instead of chips or pickles, which are usually high in salt. Think of the plate method to help you balance your meals: ½ fruits and vegetables, ¼ protein and ¼ whole grains.
Add, not Restrict
Instead of stressing over what to cut out, focus on adding healthy habits. Drink more water, boost your fiber intake, and enjoy a variety of nutritious foods. Small additions can make a big difference!
What sandwiches for CKD patients are available?
Let’s take a look at some sandwich for CKD patients that are available at two common sandwich shops.
Subway:
- 6 Inch tuna or veggie patty sub on Italian
- Choose these sauces: mayo, sweet onion, chipotle southwest, garlic aoli, house sandwich sauce, smokey honey mustard as all others are high sodium
- Choose these cheese: cheddar, Swiss as all others are higher sodium
- Limit these toppings: avocado, pickles, olives
- Kids turkey or cheese sub on white
- Choose these sauces: balsamic dressing, mayo, mustard
- Choose these toppings: tomato, onion, lettuce, cucumber, green pepper
Final thoughts on sandwiches
Eating out doesn’t have to be a source of stress or a threat to kidney health. By making thoughtful choices at sandwich shops by choosing whole grains, selecting lean proteins, and limiting sodium, you can enjoy a tasty, kidney-friendly meal on the go. Many restaurants have their nutrition information online to help you make informed decisions. Always consult your healthcare provider or dietitian to tailor these guidelines to your specific needs. For more information on eating out with CKD check out this blog post.
This article was written by Rachel Lo, Nutrition Student Volunteer.
This article was reviewed by Emily Campbell, RD CDE MScFN.
