The views expressed in this article do not constitute Medical Advice, but are for your information only. Please consult with your healthcare professional.
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, which means indulging in delicious food and spending time with loved ones. According to DaVita, the kidney-diet is one that’s low in phosphorus, potassium, sodium and protein.1 Most of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes are high in sodium, so we’ve compiled some tips so you can still enjoy your Thanksgiving feast.
Turkey – When choosing a turkey this Thanksgiving, try to choose one that is unbasted. Basted turkeys tend to have a high amount of sodium in them. Buying a natural or unsalted frozen turkey is also a safe way to go to ensure that your turkey is low sodium. A good alternative for salt is Mrs. Dash seasoning. Gravy is also often high in sodium, so it may be best to use gravy in moderation.
Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes – Mashed potatoes with gravy are a popular Thanksgiving side, but it’s important to be mindful when choosing to eat them. Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes are high in potassium, so if you are on a kidney-diet it is important to eat them in moderation. As noted before, gravy tends to be high in sodium so try to avoid using it or consume it in moderation. A tasty alternative to mashed potatoes is mashed cauliflower.
Cranberry Sauce – According to DaVita, cranberries are safe to eat on a kidney-diet and have other health benefits including protection against UTIs and a good source of Vitamin C.2 Cranberry sauce is a safe and delicious side to eat with your Thanksgiving meal.
Stuffing – Some of the ingredients in stuffing can add up to be high in sodium, so make sure to eat in moderation or go with a low-sodium stuffing recipe. Choosing the low-sodium bread, broth and butter will make for a kidney-friendly stuffing dish.
Other Sides – Other popular Thanksgiving sides include green beans, carrots, corn and dinner rolls, which are all okay to eat on a kidney-diet.3
Desserts – If you are choosing to eat any desserts this Thanksgiving, make sure to consume in small portions. Some kidney-friendly dessert alternatives include Jell-O, applesauce with cinnamon, fruit ambrosia or sherbet.
Remember to always consult with your doctor or dietician to see what diet works best for you.
We hope you have a safe and Happy Turkey Day!
Sponsor: Kibow Biotech® 
- 1: “Kidney & Renal Diet Information.” DaVita, www.davita.com/education/kidney-vocabulary/kidney-diet.
- 2: “13 Low-Potassium Cranberry Recipes.” DaVita, www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/recipe-collections/13-low-potassium-cranberry-recipes.
- 3: “Holiday Eating Tips for People on Dialysis.” DaVita, www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/seasonal/holiday-eating-tips-for-people-on-dialysis.
