Being in a hurry shouldn’t compromise your health, especially if you’re living with chronic kidney disease. We all know life gets busy and sometimes packaged foods are the most convenient option. The good news? When living with CKD, you can enjoy the ease of packaged foods without your health at risk. This blog post will walk you through things to consider for kidney-friendly packaged foods
Nutrition considerations for kidney-friendly packaged foods
Packaged foods can often be high in a few nutrients:
- Sodium: It’s important to note that sodium must be consumed because the body can’t make it on its own. However, when consumed in excess, sodium can raise blood pressure and worsen kidney function. When buying packaged foods, look for labels with no more than 5% of the daily value for sodium for an individual item or 25% of the daily value for sodium for an entire meal (e.g. lasagna or pizza).
- Phosphorus additives: Phosphorus is added to many packaged foods to enhance their flavour and act as a preservative. Phosphorus additives are more easily absorbed than natural phosphorus. You can identify them by looking for “phos” in the ingredient list. This excess may lead to high blood phosphorus levels and weaker bones.
- Potassium: Similar to phosphorus, potassium can sometimes be hidden in preservatives or flavouring agents. You can identify this in the ingredient list by looking for “potassium”. Those with high potassium may want to avoid these potassium additives.
Reading food labels is a great way to understand what is in the food and to help you make an informed decision on kidney-friendly packaged foods.
Tips for choosing kidney-friendly packaged foods
When shopping for packaged foods, here are a few things to look for:
- Low sodium: Aim for items with less than 140 mg per serving when possible, this is the same as 5% daily value. You can use nutrient content claims to look for foods labelled as free from sodium or low in sodium. ” “potassium chloride,” or anything starting with “phos-.”
- Moderate protein: Unless your care team recommends high protein, look for moderate amounts.
Looking for some inspiration?
Looking for some inspiration convenient, kidney-conscious packaged foods? Here are some kidney-friendly packaged foods. Always remember to check labels for sodium, potassium, and phosphorus content, and consult with your healthcare provider or dietitian as needed.
Snacks & Crackers – great with hummus or nut butter
- Good Thins
- RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers
- Triscuits
- Wheat Thins
- Melba Toast
Canned and Jarred Goods
- No-salt-added canned vegetables or beans/legummes
- Canned fish: Choose low-sodium options and avoid eating the bones
- Heinz or Hunts No Added Salt Tomato Sauce
- President’s Choice Blue Menu Tomato Products
Bread & Grain Products
- Sliced bread, bagels, tortillas, chapati, and some options such as:
- Ezekiel Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
- Dimpflmeier Unsalted Rye Bread
- Dempster’s Whole Wheat Thin Sandwich Bread
- Granola bars
- Kashi Granola Bars
- Nature’s Path Granola Bars
Frozen & Ready Meals
- Some brands that meet nutrition needs are:
- Amy’s
- President’s Choice Blue Menu
- Healthy Choice Gourmet Steamers
- VH Steamers
- Plant-based protein options:
- Yves
- Beyond Meat
- Hummus
Seasonings & Condiments
- Marinades & Sauces:
- President’s Choice Souvlaki Marinade
- VH Pad Thai (Blue Menu)
- VH Sweet Thai Chili Dipping Sauce
- Plum Dipping Sauce
- Cherry Dipping Sauce
- Good Food For Good BBQ & Taco Sauces
- Bow Valley BBQ Sauces (e.g., Blueberry Merlot BBQ Sauce, Bigfoot Bold BBQ)
- Soy Sauce Alternatives:
- Bragg All-Purpose Liquid Soy Seasoning
- Coconut Secret Raw Soy-Free Seasoning
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
Soups & Broths
- Campbell’s No Added Salt Soups:
- Cream of Mushroom
- Cream of Chicken
- Campbell’s No Added Salt Broths:
- Vegetable
- Chicken
- Beef
Packaged foods don’t have to be off-limits for people with CKD. With smart label reading and a bit of planning, you can find kidney-friendly convenience foods that support your health goals and make life just a little easier. While this post includes some product options, it is not sponsored by the brands. These products may change over time. It is important to read the food label.
This article was written by Rachel Lo, Nutrition Student Volunteer.
This article was reviewed by Emily Campbell, RD CDE MScFN.