Latest Dietitian's Blog Posts
Eating a Kidney-Friendly Diet for Hanukkah
As the end of each year approaches, many people around the world celebrate the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, also known as The Festival of Lights. Food is a significant part of this celebration, and traditionally, meals are prepared using higher amounts of fat, salt, and sugar. In fact, fried foods are an important part of the Hanukkah tradition to celebrate the small amount of oil that miraculously burned for 8 days when the Jewish Temple was …
Reducing the Potassium in Legumes
Did you know that you can drastically reduce the quantity of potassium in legumes? Indeed, according to a study, it is possible to prepare legumes (in this case chickpeas and lentils) in such a way that most potassium is eliminated. If you have chronic kidney disease, you certainly know that what you eat directly affects your health. Following your Registered Dietitian and doctor’s instructions, you may need to limit your consumption of minerals like potassium, phosphorus …
Top 5 Favourite Lazy Weeknight Meals
After a long, tiring day, the last thing you want is to be stuck in front of the stove to make a meal. So what are some quick, delicious and kidney friendly meals to make when energy and motivation to cook is low? Here are some favourites: Breakfast for Dinner: Who says breakfast can’t be dinner? Toast with eggs, berries and some Greek yogurt can be a great balanced meal with barely any cooking. You can also …
Summer Fun for Kids
As children are still growing and developing, it is important to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition. For children with kidney disease, the added pressure of restricting certain foods in their diet may overwhelm families and place strain on the eating relationship. By working with a dietitian, families can discover creative and positive ways of eating together and staying healthy. Here are some tips to navigate healthy eating for children with kidney disease: Include sources of …
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 …