Latest Dietitian's Blog Posts
Gardening and farmer’s markets on a low potassium diet
With summer approaching it’s still possible to start the garden that you’ve always wanted. Planting and growing fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to save money, relieve stress, and ensure you have the freshest produce. Moreover, gardening allows you to choose fruits and vegetables that work best for your low potassium diet. Instead of purchasing seeds, which can be sowed in early spring, opt for vegetable and herb plants at your local nursery or hardware …
Reminders for Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan holds religious significance to Muslims worldwide as they observe a month of Sawm (fasting) that begins at dawn and ends at sunset. While it is not compulsory for adults to fast if they are sick, many still wish to partake in Sawm. Individuals with kidney disease are encouraged to discuss whether they can fast, or not, with their physician and/or renal dietitian, taking into consideration the severity of their condition, …
Steps to a more kidney friendly diet: Animal versus Vegetarian Proteins
By Kelvin Au, Student and Dani Renouf, RD, MSc, CDE Persons living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often asked to lower protein in their diet to improve kidney health. But how much protein is too much or too little? How do animal-based proteins compare to plant-based? A dietitian can answer these important questions. Most North Americans consume more protein than recommended for their individual needs. However, healthy kidneys can process the extra protein waste efficiently. In …
Warm up with A Low-Potassium Soup!
Alisha Buttar, Student and Dani Renouf, RD, MSc As the cold weather has touched down, there is no better time to cozy up beside the fireplace with a hot bowl of soup! We all know how it feels to walk into a kitchen filled with irresistible aromas, and upon reading this, you can rest assured that many ingredients that you enjoy can be added to a kidney-friendly bowl of soup. Below, we have tips on how …
Phosphorus and Potassium Additives in Canadian Meat, Poultry and Fish – What you need to know!
Arti Sharma Parpia, MSc, RD Since the phosphorus and potassium content of foods are not required to be listed on the Nutrition Facts table, it can present a real challenge to patients with chronic kidney disease. Because phosphorus and potassium additives are being used more often, foods that were never considered “high in phosphorus” or “high in potassium” are now high in these nutrients. Studies done in the United States and Europe showed that …
Enjoy the Sun, Not the Germs: Keeping Food Safe during Warmer Days
Warm weather and longer days have us looking forward to summer BBQs, picnics, and long days at the beach. However, we aren’t the only ones who enjoy the sunshine- harmful bacteria in food multiply quickly in hot, humid conditions. Infants, young children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk of food poisoning. Keep the following food safety tips in mind to prevent a bug from spoiling your picnic. Before you …
Top 3 Snacks to Boost Nutrition
By Tanya Choy, RD, CDE Snacks, in the right portions are a great way to give nutrition a boost! Snacks can be a great way to curb appetite to prevent overeating during meal times and also help stabilize blood sugars, which can maintain energy levels throughout the day. Choose nourishing options to unlock the power of snacking to fuel your day. Here are some top picks for kidney-friendly snacks: 1. Popcorn - It may have gotten a …
Kidney-Friendly Eating For the Whole Family
By Dani Renouf, RD, MSc Does the sentiment “I cook two different meals, one for me, and one for my family” ring true for you? Do you prepare “customized meals” for each member of your family, fearful that they will not eat the low sodium, low potassium, low phosphate dish your dietitian recommended? Well, despair no more. Consider me your test kitchen: for the past year, I have reduced sodium in my cooking and taken some …
Yes, You Can Bake! Baking Tips For A Healthy And Happy Holiday Season
By Dani Renouf, RD, MSc and Mikaela Kroeker, Student and Jennifer Snyder, Student The holiday season can often pose a challenge for many of us, given our health goals and needs. Many factors are at play, including difficulty controlling portions at a buffet dinner, lack of availability of healthy foods at parties, and a sense of feeling overwhelmed about how to make healthier substitutions to those beloved family recipes. The happy news is: yes, you can bake. By …
Tricks and Treats: Kidney-Friendly Eating During Halloween
By Dani Renouf, RD Halloween may only be one day of the year, but it seems that the celebrations and treats that come with this festivity often lurk in the pantry for months to come. Sometimes, clients tell me they have so much candy in the house that there is enough to last them past Christmas! For those who are on a kidney-friendly diet, commercial candy bars and treats are often a source of simple sugars …