I usually come across individuals who originally belong to India but have been living in different parts of United States of America like Calfornia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvaniya, Florida, etc and seeeking dietary guidance for chronic kidney disease. On the other hand, there are a couple of individuals who may be staying there on a temporary basis including students, ones on a work permit or business visas. There is also a third category of people who would like to visit America only for few months (with their kids living there, relatives, etc) and stay majority of time in India but they too need Indian Renal Dietitian who can guide them keep their kidney issues under control.
So, ideally when they are looking out for an Indian Renal Dietitian, that is exactly where my role comes in. My job is to guide them select foods that are healthy for them. I help them by curating diet plans that are easy, healthy as well as safe for kidneys. I also help them make their job easy by sharing list of kidney friendly foods from the United States of America keeping Indian taste preferences in mind.
Below are top 5 kidney friendly items from Walmart, America. These items are low in saturated fats, they do not contain any trans fats, they are low in salt and hence can be preferred by ones who have diabetes or high blood pressure or both. With each recipe, we have mentioned how these recipes can be used and its frequency whether you have early kidney disease or advanced kidney disease. Lets dive into these options:
1. Riced Veggies, Cauliflower Medley: These vegetables are a low calories, low in salt as well as a low in potassium. They serve as a healthy alternative to ready to eat curries and soups. These are seasonings free, hence offering you an option to use low salt seasonings. Remembert, the sesonings should be less in salt and not made with low sodium salt. To know more about kidney friendly salt, click here. If you are in early stages of kidney disease and are looking forward to loose weight, you may just add 1 egg/ 50 grams salmon to this cauliflower medley and make it a low calorie, low salt healthy supper. In case you are a vegetarian, you may add few pieces of low fat cottage cheese or tofu. In case you are in advanced tages of kidney disease, then you may need a low protein option, so you can add cooked brown rice to make a veg pulao from this cauliflower medley. To check out this product, click here. If you have early kidney disease and need to loose weight, prefer this recipe combo at least 3-4 days a week. And if you have advanced kidney failure, then this option can be used more often.
2. Thin Puffed Brown Rice Cakes, Gluten Free, Low Salt: Unlike its name, these is not exactly cakes but they are thin and flat crispies made up of brown rice. These are gluten free and do not contain excess salt. You may add toppings of your choice like stir fried vegetables and eat it like an open toast sandwich. Ones who can prefer eggs can add whole eggs or egg whites along with stir fried vegetables and ones who cannot prefer eggs can add sauteed tofu. To check out this option, click here. To give this recipe an Indian taste, you may apply a layer of coriander and mint chutney and then place veggies of choice or make it like a sweet corn and capsicum brushetta. You may salt free mixed herbs, oregano as well as dried basil
3. Barnyard millet: This is small tiny millet resembling semolina (suji or rawa) and is not pre-prepped and neither frozen. It is not ready to use. The best part is this humble millet is kidney as well as diabetes friendly can takes just 15 mins to cook. It is lesser in proteins and minerals as compared to all other millets. It can be used as a rice or humble khichdi preparation and one simple veg pulao recipe can be obtained here
4. Tapioca pudding: If you are looking for some sweets or desserts (from Walmart, USA) which are kidney friendly, then this is one option that can be availed on once in 8-10 days bases. It is a pudding recipe and contains sugar, milk as well as eggs. Individuals with diabetes or lactose intolerance should avoid this food item. Prefer only 1 serving of this that gives 130 calories and 140 mg sodium. Further details of this food item can be availed here
5. Tapioca loaf: Tapioca is usually seen in plenty in Kerala and is a root vegetable. As it is lower in proteins and potassium as compared to other root vegetables, so it is used widely in renal diet. Tapioca flour also known locally as a arrowroot flour and is widely used in India as a binder. As this root vegetable is starchy, it should be used in moderation in individuals with diabetes. We also receommed tapioca to be preferred with curds to make a savory recipe. To watch this recipe video, click here. This recipe can be preferred by all kidney patients including ones on dialysis
Above are a few options that can be availed direct from the store or online. In case you are looking forward for a 1 to 1 diet consultation with an Indian Renal Dietitian – Dr Rachana Jasani for kidney related ailments, you may connect with us on 7208363223. We offer personlaized recipes as per your body parameters and stage of kidney issue. We also offer lifestly management instructions, restaurant dining tips, damage control tips as well as festival special menus
We have comprehensive recipe course for kidney issues offering Indian recipes. This course can be availed here
