Grabbing a fast meal on the run or going out for a nice dinner may be more challenging when following a renal diet. Here are some tips to help kidney patients keep sodium, potassium and phosphorus in check.

• Choose grilled, broiled or roasted beef, chicken, pork chops, fish or seafood. Avoid breaded items—these add extra sodium and fat.
• Kabobs or fajitas are usually made from fresh meats and vegetables. Ask for sauces or toppings on the side.
• Buttered noodles, plain pasta with olive oil and garlic or steamed rice are lower in potassium compared to potatoes and tomato sauce pastas.
• Checkout the fresh vegetables available. Make lower potassium choices like green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, summer squash or carrots.
• Go for a grilled or broiled chicken, fish or hamburger on a bun with lettuce, onion, mayonnaise, mustard or tartar sauce. Limit ketchup to 1 packet. Forget the high sodium pickles and processed cheese.
• For sandwiches, choose turkey, roast beef, tuna or egg salad instead of cured and heavily processed meats. Top with onions, lettuce, a thin tomato slice, bell peppers, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts and a small amount of mayonnaise, mustard or oil and vinegar.
• Choose a side salad with dressing on the side, macaroni salad or coleslaw instead or potato salad, chips or French fries.

For more ideas on eating out read Fast Foods and the Dialysis Diet on www.DaVita.com.

Eating breakfast out is a special treat for some and a daily routine for others.

Knowing the best choices for a kidney diet helps you stay within your goals to keep intake low in sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Here are some tips to help keep a kidney-friendly breakfast.

• Order poached or fried eggs. Scrambled eggs may have added milk and salt. Request no added salt.
• Low cholesterol egg product is lower in phosphorus compared to eggs. Request it instead of scrambled eggs, or to use in omelets.
• Choose omelets made with lower potassium vegetables such as onion, bell pepper, mushrooms. Go easy on the cheese or request cream cheese to replace American, cheddar or Swiss cheese.
• Avoid avocado, chili, salty meats and cheese as omelet fillings.
• Limit bacon to 1-2 slices occasionally. Avoid other higher sodium meats like sausage, ham, Canadian bacon and lox.
• Use caution when ordering fast food breakfast sandwiches. English muffins or sourdough toast are much lower in phosphorus and sodium than biscuits. Omit the cheese.
• Limit high potassium breakfast foods like hash browns and orange juice. One small hash brown patty with a small amount of ketchup may be ok occasionally if other potassium sources are limited.
• Choose apple, grape or cranberry juice. Order a small glass if fluids are limited or request fresh berries instead.
• Pancakes and waffles are high in phosphorus and sodium. French toast is a better choice.
• Decline refills on coffee, tea or water if fluids are limited.
• Ask for nondairy creamer for cereal instead of milk.

For ideas on breakfast meals check out the breakfast recipes on DaVita.com.

Putting together all the pieces of a kidney diet may make dining out a challenge. By following a few guidelines, it is possible to stick with a renal diet and enjoy eating out.

• Be familiar with the restaurant choices before you go. Pick up the takeout menu or check the restaurants website to view the menu. If you need help selecting the best diet choices, bring the menu to your renal dietitian and ask for help.

• If you are on a low potassium diet, cut back on higher potassium foods during the day if you plan to eat out at dinner. The same applies to sodium, phosphorus and fluids. By ‘saving’ some of your choices during the day, you can enjoy a bit extra at dinner and still stay within your diet goals.

• Bring phosphorus binders with you and take them with the meal. These medications work to bind phosphorus in the stomach and gastrointestinal track as food is digested. Timing with the meal is important.

• To reduce sodium, request foods to be prepared without extra salt or MSG when possible.

• Request condiments, sauces and salad dressings on the side and limit the amount used.

• Order the smaller size beverage and decline refills to help limit fluid intake.

• If meal portions are large consider splitting an entrée or taking half home.

• Instead of mixed dishes, order a steak, chicken, shrimp or fish entrée. These are usually lower in sodium, potassium or phosphorus compared to casseroles and mixed food entrees.

• Share dessert and avoid those with chocolate or nuts. Stick with fruit pie, cobbler, angel food or pound cake, sherbet or sorbet. Many restaurants offer fresh berries as a dessert option.

For additional information see the DaVita.com article Dining out on the Dialysis Diet.

Low sodium is one component of the renal diet recommended for people with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis. Salt is an acquired taste. This means people who follow a low sodium diet can readjust to the flavors in food with very little or no salt over time—but there is an adjustment period. Herb and spice mixtures are a wonderful way to add extra flavor to foods without extra sodium.

Many commercially prepared herb and spice mixtures are available. Mrs. Dash® seasoning blends are readily available in a variety of flavors, and no sodium or potassium is added. Be sure to read labels because some seasoning blends, like Lemon Pepper may contain salt. Other low sodium blends may contain potassium chloride as a replacement for sodium chloride.

Create your own mix of favorite herbs and spices. Place the blend in a shaker on the table so it’s always visible and in reach. Add seasoning blends to marinades, homemade salad dressings and sauces. Sprinkle over meat, poultry or fish before cooking. Add to salads and vegetables for extra flavor.

You can easily make your own herb and spice seasoning blends to help add new flavors to your kidney diet. For best results, crush or grind herbs and spices together before placing in a shaker. For more ideas on using herbs and spices check out DaVita.com’s easy seasoning blends and recipes that incorporate seasoning mixtures.

• Mexican Seasoning
• Basic Meat Coating Mix
• Meat Marinade
• Basic Salad Dressing
• Sara’s Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
• Italian Dressing