Restricted diets don't have to be bland and tasteless. Knowing what foods to include in your diet and what foods to avoid can prevent some of the discomfort and complications of living with kidney disease. By developing a comprehensive meal plan that highlights beneficial foods for healthy kidneys and eliminates foods high in sodium, potassium and phosphorus, having tasty meals while living on dialysis is achievable.
Breakfast
Breakfast can be easy and quick if you know which foods will be best for your condition. Oatmeal served with a half of a grapefruit is a quick, nutritious breakfast. An English muffin or bagel topped with a low cholesterol egg and slice of turkey bacon is a good low-sodium option. A bowl of puffed wheat cereal with your favorite berries is an easy morning meal. Milk is a high phosphorus food, so a nondairy milk substitute, like rice milk, is best served with cereal.
Lunch
Choose from many options for a dialysis-friendly lunch menu. A fresh salad containing lettuce, radishes, carrots, cucumber and bean sprouts drizzled with a low-sodium vinaigrette dressing is a satisfying option. Top the salad with sliced, grilled chicken for a more filling meal. For lunch on the go, make a sandwich on sourdough bread, including fresh turkey, lettuce and a little mayonnaise. Serve the sandwich with grapes or an apple for a well-balanced lunch. A grilled salmon sandwich on a whole grain hamburger bun served with grilled asparagus is another option for a delicious midday meal.
Dinner
Make a delicious dinner that's conducive to dialysis treatment. Bake or slow cook chicken with sliced carrots, bell peppers and onions. Cooking these ingredients together will infuse flavors and reduce the need for adding high-sodium seasonings. Serve the chicken with rice and steamed cabbage. Grilled salmon served with grilled vegetables, like eggplant, onion and summer squash will make a healthy and light meal.
Dessert
You don't have to eliminate desserts from your diet when you're on dialysis. A bowl of fresh mixed berries, like blackberries and raspberries, topped with nondairy whipped topping is a light treat. Baked apples are a good winter dessert choice. Coat sliced apples in ground cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, flour and oats and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.
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