Do you like snacking? Who doesn’t, right? Fresh fruit and vegetables are an ideal snack, but they may not always be convenient or appealing. When it comes to choosing a grab and go kidney friendly snack, it’s important to keep some pointers in mind. Here is what to look for:
Low Sodium:
Snacks should be low in sodium! Look for less than 200 milligrams per serving. Be aware of what the serving size is so you know how much to eat to stay below 200 milligrams.
Low in Sugar:
Avoid sugary snacks. These can worsen inflammation and impair immunity. This holds true whether you have diabetes or not. Ideally, keep snacks to less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving and remember to always check the serving size.
Free of concentrated protein:
When trying to preserve kidney function, it’s usually necessary that you cut down on protein intake, not increase it. For this reason, be wary of snacks that are fortified with additional protein in the form of ingredients like whey protein isolate or soy protein isolate.
High in fiber:
Fiber is a major component of a kidney friendly diet. Choosing fiber rich snacks can ensure you meet your fiber goals for the day. Snacks that contain fiber are less likely to spike blood sugar and may quell hunger between meals. Look for snacks with at least 2 grams of fiber per serving.
Whole Food Ingredients:
Unfortunately, many of the snacks available contain highly processed ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, phosphorus additives and other preservatives, gums, and thickeners. Look for snacks with whole food ingredients such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits and whole grains.
