Not all renal diets are alike. Depending on the degree and type of kidney damage and disease, the diet may vary greatly from one affected person to another. Snacking should be strictly regulated and should meet the dietary standards set by the medical doctor, specialist or renal nutritionist, according to the Division of Nephrology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. A few general guidelines may apply to your renal diet, but MayoClinic.com recommends consulting your medical team before snacking.
Fruits
People with kidney diseases must control the amount of their fluid intake. Planning the daily diet with snacking in mind allows for tasty snacks that limit fluid intake, such as freezing juice in an ice cube tray to create ice chips to cool down with on a hot day. Place the chips in a measuring cup to ensure that the amount meets the daily fluid restriction. If sugar intake is restricted due to a diabetic condition, cut a thin slice of lemon to suck on during the day. A fruit-flavored, sugarless hard candy drop is another small treat that can easily be carried for a snack. Renal diets may also include grapes, tangerines, strawberries, watermelon, cranberries, pears, grapefruit, blueberries, apples and cherries, as snack options.
Breads
A snack of four to six unsalted crackers, a 2-by-2-inch square piece of cornbread, half of a 6-inch flour tortilla and half a bagel fill out the snack options for a bread craving, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients. Children may enjoy snacking on 3/4 cup of dry cereal, provided it is unsweetened. Consult the package for any additives such as potassium or phosphates, for dieters restricted in the daily amount of these nutrients.
Dairy
The American Association of Kidney Patients suggests a 6- to 8-oz. serving of plain yogurt or 1 cup of skim or fat-free milk as a dairy snack. Sugar free pudding made with non-fat or low-fat dairy products also make the Association's snack list.
Veggies
A quick snack on a fresh green bean or a fresh clove of cauliflower meets the general guidelines for most renal diets. Avoid these snacks when cooked with salty meats or salted for general taste. Canned vegetables are not recommended due to the salt added in canning the product, according to the New Hanover Health Network in Wilmington, N.C. Other healthy veggie snacks, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients, include carrots, celery and green peppers.
Sweets
Renal diets avoid recommending sweets as snacks, but the Medical College of Wisconsin Division of Nephrology suggests a snack of nondairy ice cream or 1 oz. sherbet as a treat. Sugarless dietary hard candy is also a sweet-tasting option, but be sure to read the labels on the candy packages to confirm that other ingredients, such as salt or sugar substitutes not on the approved diet list, are not included. Renal diets not restricted by fluid limitations may allow for snacking on a clear, diet soda or lemonade made without sugar or sugar additives, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients. Sodium-restricted renal diets, however, may not include the diet soda option.
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