Cooking for people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can be
challenging because of dietary restrictions. Of course, this affects
flavor, especially when the diet calls for less salt, less potassium,
less sugar, less fat... less of everything. However, stop feeling
trapped because there are ways to make foods flavorful for patients with
CKD.
Here is the first thing you should do. Clear your cupboards of all the seasoning mixtures that have salt in them like garlic-salt and onion-salt and replace them with the basic garlic and onion powders. Roast these seasonings to bring out the flavors without adding salt. To do this, use a medium heavy pan and heat your mixture of whole herbs and seeds over medium heat. You may also buy a coffee grinder to grind these roasted herb mixtures.
Tofu, seitan (wheat protein), legumes (beans) and couscous are excellent substitute for beef. However, these plant-based proteins can be bland. To add flavor, simply add salt-free grilling spice during the cooking process. Roasting vegetables also adds more flavors to soups and sauces. It is also best to marinate tofu overnight to allow the flavors to seep in. You may also use dry-rub herb mixtures on tofu, beans and couscous to add more flavor to them.
Plant-based dishes have a tendency to become dry. To prevent this add sauce for moisture and flavor. However, use thickened rice milk instead of using cream sauces. Simmer your roasted vegetables and herb mixtures in the rice milk.
Some patients need to watch their potassium levels so that they can only eat foods that are low in potassium.
Beet is one such food but since not everyone is fond of beets you have to be creative and serve beets in a fun and enticing way. A beet sorbet would be just fine for dessert.
Who does not like low-calorie dressing? Too much fat is harmful to everyone's health, not only to those with CKD. When making salad dressings use vegetable stock instead of salad oils. This makes the salad dressing tasty yet the calorie count is minimal.
Substitute fresh fruit for sugar. It is so much healthier! Sugar can also be very addictive so that the more you consume sugar the more you want it. Instead of having a slice of cake, tart or two pieces of chocolate chips for dessert why not have fresh fruit? The trick is to eat smaller portions of protein for dinner and then enjoy large portions of fresh fruits for dessert.
The flavors from the fruit will stay in your palate longer because it is the last food you ate. The effect is psychological. You will not feel so deprived of foods you enjoy by following this eating habit.
To satisfy cravings you need to plan ahead so that you have healthy choices readily available when you start to crave. Most people satisfy their cravings by eating cookies and other pre-packaged snacks in the cupboard. The best way to deal with this is to always have fresh fruit in the kitchen or a plant-based dip for low-sodium crackers. When healthier choices are conveniently within reach you know how to make the smart choice. Another trick is not to buy those "comfort foods" at all. People say "out of sight is out of mind."
You do not think of what is not there, and when you do have a craving for it, well... it's not there!
Cooking flavorful foods for patients with kidney diseases can indeed be challenging. Trying different ways to add flavor to "kidney diet" may not always result according to your expectations. But learning is always fun and creative.
Here is the first thing you should do. Clear your cupboards of all the seasoning mixtures that have salt in them like garlic-salt and onion-salt and replace them with the basic garlic and onion powders. Roast these seasonings to bring out the flavors without adding salt. To do this, use a medium heavy pan and heat your mixture of whole herbs and seeds over medium heat. You may also buy a coffee grinder to grind these roasted herb mixtures.
Tofu, seitan (wheat protein), legumes (beans) and couscous are excellent substitute for beef. However, these plant-based proteins can be bland. To add flavor, simply add salt-free grilling spice during the cooking process. Roasting vegetables also adds more flavors to soups and sauces. It is also best to marinate tofu overnight to allow the flavors to seep in. You may also use dry-rub herb mixtures on tofu, beans and couscous to add more flavor to them.
Plant-based dishes have a tendency to become dry. To prevent this add sauce for moisture and flavor. However, use thickened rice milk instead of using cream sauces. Simmer your roasted vegetables and herb mixtures in the rice milk.
Some patients need to watch their potassium levels so that they can only eat foods that are low in potassium.
Beet is one such food but since not everyone is fond of beets you have to be creative and serve beets in a fun and enticing way. A beet sorbet would be just fine for dessert.
Who does not like low-calorie dressing? Too much fat is harmful to everyone's health, not only to those with CKD. When making salad dressings use vegetable stock instead of salad oils. This makes the salad dressing tasty yet the calorie count is minimal.
Substitute fresh fruit for sugar. It is so much healthier! Sugar can also be very addictive so that the more you consume sugar the more you want it. Instead of having a slice of cake, tart or two pieces of chocolate chips for dessert why not have fresh fruit? The trick is to eat smaller portions of protein for dinner and then enjoy large portions of fresh fruits for dessert.
The flavors from the fruit will stay in your palate longer because it is the last food you ate. The effect is psychological. You will not feel so deprived of foods you enjoy by following this eating habit.
To satisfy cravings you need to plan ahead so that you have healthy choices readily available when you start to crave. Most people satisfy their cravings by eating cookies and other pre-packaged snacks in the cupboard. The best way to deal with this is to always have fresh fruit in the kitchen or a plant-based dip for low-sodium crackers. When healthier choices are conveniently within reach you know how to make the smart choice. Another trick is not to buy those "comfort foods" at all. People say "out of sight is out of mind."
You do not think of what is not there, and when you do have a craving for it, well... it's not there!
Cooking flavorful foods for patients with kidney diseases can indeed be challenging. Trying different ways to add flavor to "kidney diet" may not always result according to your expectations. But learning is always fun and creative.
