People who are suffering from kidney diseases, need to take care of their diet and cut back on the consumption of protein and potassium. Read this article to know more about renal diet recipes.
The function of the kidneys is to filter out excess water and waste, and eliminate toxins from the body in the form of urine. It also helps in maintaining a balance of electrolytes and other fluids in our body. When a person suffers from kidney diseases, it becomes difficult for the kidneys to function properly which may result in kidney failure in extreme cases. In such cases some dietary changes are required to be made.
A diet followed in order to fight kidney diseases is known as a renal diet. While following a renal diet, one needs to reduce the intake of protein, potassium, sodium and phosphorus. The consumption of food like oranges, tomatoes, dried peas, nuts, squash, avocados, salted snacks, soups, deli meats, table salt, nuts, peas, beans, cheese, milk, eggs, fish, etc. should be reduced. With so much of restrictions placed on a person, it is quite difficult to draw up a diet plan that is nutritious and healthy. However, it is very important that a person suffering from renal diseases follows a renal diet strictly.
Recipes for a Renal Diet
Stir fried Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 green pepper, sliced fine
- 1 yellow pepper, sliced fine
- 1 cup sweet corn
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- juice of half a lime
- handful of parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- salt to taste
Method
In a small wok, heat the extra virgin olive oil. Next, add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for a minute. When the garlic turns golden, add the sliced green and yellow pepper along with the zucchini. When the vegetables turn tender, add sweet corn and stir fry it for around 8 – 10 minutes. Remove from flame and season it with salt, pepper and lime juice. To serve, add a sprinkling of chopped parsley.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups farfalle
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup spring onions, sliced
- ½ cup tuna, steamed and shredded
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon mustard paste
- juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons coriander, finely chopped
Method
Cook the farfalle pasta in a pot of water. When the pasta is al dente, remove from the flame and drain the pasta in a colander. Pour some cold water on the pasta to stop it from overcooking. Trim the beans and blanch the beans in boiling water for 3 – 4 minutes. Remove the beans and plunge them in ice-cold water. Keep them aside. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, mustard paste, fresh basil, spring onions and coriander to make the salad dressing. Add the tuna, blanched green beans and farfalle into the salad dressing and mix gently. Next, season with salt and freshly ground pepper and toss this salad so that all the ingredients are properly mixed. Cover the bowl, and cool this pasta salad for an hour before serving.
If you are suffering from renal diabetes, then you need to maintain a renal diabetic diet. Some points that you need to keep in mind are to decrease your intake of sugar and salt, use herbs as an alternative to salt, limit dairy products and cut down on proteins and processed foods like chips and canned beans.
Renal Diabetic Diet Recipes
Salmon with Stir Fried Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup shiitake mushroom, sliced fine
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Method
In a non stick pan, add a tablespoon of oil and fry the salmon until it turns golden on both sides. Remove from the pan and let it rest for some time. Take care not to overcook the salmon as it will turn dry and lose all its flavor. In another pan, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Fry the minced garlic in the oil, until it turns golden brown. Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms with a bit of salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 5 minutes. Now add the baby spinach and cook for 3 – 4 minutes until the leaves just begin to wilt. Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for flavor. To serve, place the seared salmon on a plate and add the stir fried mushroom and baby spinach on the side.
Zucchini Soup
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized zucchini, sliced
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 4 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups salt free chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt to taste
Method
In a medium-sized frying pan, heat the olive oil and add the sliced onion. When the onions are translucent, add salt and the sliced zucchini. Cover with a lid and cook until the zucchini is tender and cooked through. Now add the pesto and the chicken stock and let it simmer for 15 – 20 minutes. Remove the pot from flame and puree this soup in a blender. Return the pot to the stove and add Parmesan; let the water from the soup evaporate until you get the desired consistency. Add freshly ground black pepper and serve in soup bowls.
These were a few renal diet recipes. If you are suffering from renal diseases, you need to strictly follow diets for kidney diseases. This includes abstaining from food that is pickled or cured like pickled gherkins, olives, baby carrots, onions and cured or smoked meat. Draw up a renal diet menu in consultation with your doctor and dietitian to get an eating plan which is suitable for you. You also need to cut down on fizzy drinks like cola, sodas and lemonades as they contain both high levels of sodium and potassium. In case of any renal problems, you can safely rely on the renal diet recipes mentioned above.
