Navigating Kidney-Friendly Dining Across Cultures 

1. Choose dishes that are lower in sodium. Steamed dishes instead of deep fried are always a good idea. 
   • Dumplings with cabbage, carrots, pork/chicken that would be available during dim sum.
     • Choose dishes with leaner proteins or plant-based options .
     • Steam rice rolls with vegetables or a small amount of shrimp/meat. 
   • Steam fish with lower sodium soy sauce on the side; choose to garnish with green onions and ginger for flavor.  
   • Poached Chicken with ginger or green onion sauce.  
   • Vegetable stir-fry dishes cooked with cabbage, eggplant, chayote, carrots, peppers. 
     • Vermicelli rice noodles and shrimp with bean sprouts and mixed vegetables. 
2. For lower potassium alternative dishes, if restrictions are required, consider the following:  
   • Vegetables stir-fry with eggplant, celery, Chinese broccoli in moderation, chayote, cauliflower and green beans 
3. Dessert: Glutinous rice balls, plain.
4. May need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Savory dishes: 
     • Bitter melon, cooked bok choy, spinach, snow pea leaves, potatoes, yams and acorn squash, and dried mushrooms.   
     • Bone broth is used with various herbal ingredients, including dried longan and red dates.  
     • Organ meats are used as delicacies, such as liver, kidney, and beef tongue.
     • Taro and sausage pan-fried cakes, pickled or preserved vegetables in brine. 
   • Sweet dessert dishes: 
     • Red bean, mung bean, taro sago-based soup desserts. 
     • Tofu pudding dessert in larger quantities.  
     • Coconut or mango pudding with evaporated milk in large amounts.  

1. Enjoy fresh spring rolls with shrimp and veggies.
   • Select rice noodle vermicelli bowls with grilled lean meats and plenty of vegetables. 
2. Choose rice and vegetables with moderate portions of chicken/pork chops dish that can be shared with others or saved for leftovers as needed.  
3. Limit fish sauce due to its high sodium content. 
4. May need to consider with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Deep-fried spring rolls made with large amounts of taro,  
   • Steamed egg and black fungus and taro-based dishes   
   • Soups made with bone broth and organ meats  
   • Mung beans are used in dessert drinks, large amounts of evaporated milk mixed with black Vietnamese coffee, or deep-fried sesame balls with mung beans 
5. Sticky rice wrapped with bamboo leaves, mung beans, salted egg yolk, and Vietnamese sausages  

1. Embrace stir-fried dishes with an emphasis on vegetables. 
   • Opt for grilled or steamed options, or choose a side of jasmine rice as a lower potassium alternative if restrictions are needed.
   • Rice noodle dishes such as pad thai with eggs, and small amount of tofu, stir-fried green peppers, onions, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms.
   • Pad Kee Mao- minced chicken, basil leaves, and green peppers. 
2. Ask for sauces on the side to control sodium intake, and use lower sodium soy sauce in moderation.   
3. May need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Avoid any curry made with coconut milk .

1. Choose bibimbap focused on a variety of vegetables and served with moderate amounts of white/brown rice. If available, request for cabbage to garnish and omit cooked spinach if concerned with high potassium content.
2. Choose items to be cooked to order, such as grilled meats if available, instead of pre-marinated or deep fry options:
   • Korean BBQ with protein choices, focus on adding grilled vegetables, lettuce wraps, lean protein/beef/pork to add own seasoning on the side instead of pre-marinated bulgogi beef  
3. Choose tofu and egg-based dishes for sides, including bean sprouts, radishes, and carrots 
4. Rice cakes and boiled dumpling soups in vegetable broth if available  
5. May need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Limit kimchi for higher sodium and potassium content. 
   • Soup with pork bone has a higher phosphorus content.
   • Potatoes in stews or side dishes.

1. Enjoy sushi with cucumber, limit avocado, small amount of crab and shrimp, cooked salmon, and eel with less sauce in moderation. 
2. Opt for cooked fish, shrimp, and grilled fish with minimal soy sauce. You can try to use coconut amino sauce as a lower-sodium alternative. 
3. Choosing udon noodles and stir-fry with vegetables such as carrots, peppers, bean sprouts, broccoli, snow peas  
4. Ask for lower sodium or no salt added to cooked vegetable dishes.   
   • Grilled eggplant, garden salad, mushrooms.
5. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Avocado-based sushi rolls. 
   • Sweet potato and squash tempura. 
   • Edamame with added salt. 
   • Seaweed salad as it can be higher in sodium depending on the sauce used.  

1. Select grilled chicken or fish with rice on the side, and steamed vegetables.
2. Choose salads with a variety of vegetables and a simple vinaigrette using olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the side to control sodium intake: 
   • Request sauces and dressings on the side. 
3. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Limit your potato intake, choose boiled twice potatoes or mashed instead of fries.
   • Avoid using large amounts of pickles, ketchup, and tomato-based flavours in dishes. 
   • The amount of cheese used in some dishes can also contribute to higher sodium and phosphorus intake.  
   • Avoid processed meats such as ham, bacon etc. which can be high in sodium and phosphorus.

1. Choose beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, or veggie taco (with black beans- in small amounts), cilantro, lettuce/cabbage, onions, sour cream.  
   • Add your hot sauce without salt for flavour, 
2. Beef or chicken fajitas with sautéed onions and bell peppers.  
   • If available, making your own veggie fajita with mushrooms, zucchini would be a good alternative.  Choose the side of rice and instead of beans if potassium modifications are required. 
3. Chicken or beef enchiladas with Verde sauce (light on the sauce). 
4. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Burritos wrapped in flour tortillas contain hidden sources of high sodium and added phosphorus​ with the combination of higher sodium meats from shredded carnitas and chorizo. 
   • Choose instead chicken or steak burritos with rice, lettuce/cabbage, onions and hot sauce without salt 
5. Adding a small amount of tomatillo salsa (tomatillos contain less potassium).  
   • Keep in mind, if your potassium is well controlled and you are thinking about choosing avocado, instead of guacamole, ask for a small side of sliced avocado to add a few to garnish. A small amount is possibly okay however, having increased portions will raise potassium levels. 

1. Enjoy pasta with olive oil and lean proteins. 
   • Chicken, or fish topped with vegetable sauces (such as primavera), white wine sauce, or lemon butter sauce or pesto sauce in moderation.  
2. Opt for grilled or roasted vegetables as a side such as peppers, zucchini, asparagus. 
   • Salad without cheese  
3. Bread with olive oil instead of salted butter 
4. Pizza using thinner crust, including toppings such as chicken, lower potassium vegetables if needed, going light on the cheese and sauce with pesto or less tomato sauce  
5. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Limit cheese and high sodium cured meats. 
   • Pizza with tomato sauce in large amounts.

1. Choose seafood and fish dishes seasoned with olive oil and herbs. 
   • Various types of fish, shellfish could vary in potassium and phosphorous content if having larger portions. 

2. Opt for Greek salads with minimal feta cheese. 
   • Greek salad- Onions, cucumbers, bell pepper. Ask for no tomatoes and plain olive oil instead of dressing 
3. Dolma/dolmades: grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and either vegetables or meat. 
   • Squeeze some lemon juice on top for added flavor. 
4. Hummus (made with ground chickpeas and tahini).  
   • Watch portions due to sodium and potassium content. 
5. Pita bread.
   • Being mindful of the sodium content used to make it. 
     • Choosing a small amount of hummus to monitor sodium intake 
6. Tabouli (Taubbouleh): A salad made of bulgar wheat and parsley, with a small amount of tomatoes, mint, and onion, and seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. 
7. Gyros: a popular street food. Rotisserie meat (usually lamb) in pita with onions, lettuce, tomato, and tzatziki (a yogurt sauce with garlic and cucumbers).  
   • It can be high in sodium and potassium. Ask for no tomatoes and tzatziki sauce on the side. 
8. Souvlaki or grilled meat kebab: Grilled meat skewer served with pita, vegetables, and tzatziki on the side. 
9. Couscous (pasta made of semolina and wheat flour). 
   • A good source of fiber and protein.  
10. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
    • Avoid dishes heavy in tomato sauce. 
    • Moussaka: a layered casserole with tomato sauce and topped with bechamel (white sauce made from milk). 
    • Pastitsio: a baked dish similar to lasagna, with layers of pasta, tomato sauce, ground meat, topped with bechamel. 
    • Limit processed meats, ham, and cheese board.
    • Spanakopita: spinach pie with feta cheese, eggs, and herbs in a filo pastry. 
    • Saganaki: fried cheese seasoned with salt. High in sodium and phosphorus. 
       

A variety of spices such as curry, turmeric, ginger, chilies, cumin, and coriander are typically used. Some staple choices include rice, roti (whole wheat unleavened flatbread) or naan (leavened flatbread), and dahl (a lentil-based stew). This is often combined with a vegetable, or a meat/seafood dish served with a yogurt sauce, pickles, chutneys and relish condiments. Keep in mind that Indian cuisine can be very high in sodium and potassium. Some alternatives to help balance can include the following:   

1. Select tandoori or grilled dishes with lean meats and basmati rice. 
2. Naan, Roti flatbread.
3. Meat Samosas (deep fried pastry filled with meat or vegetables).  
   • Vegetable samosas contains potatoes and lentils/legumes, so it’s best to avoid eating a lot if potassium is a concern.  
4. Momos (steamed meat filled dumpling).
5. Tandoori chicken/meat/fish or eggplant. Prepared by roasting in a clay oven.  
6. Biryani (a mixed rice dish cooked with several spices and meat).
7. Meat kebab dishes. 
8. Gobi matar (cauliflower with peas). Order dry without the masala sauce. 

You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 

1. Dahl: Made with lentils for soups and curry or dips.
2. Chicken tikka masala: Contains a tomato yogurt sauce.
3. Malai kofta: Vegetarian “meatballs” made from potato, nuts, paneer cheese, and served in a creamy tomato/nut-based sauce .
4. Chickpea curry: Most curries can be made with coconut milk and flavours that are high in sodium and potassium. 
5. Palak paneer: Curry made with spinach and Indian cottage cheese. 
6. Chaat: Crispy snack food that is typically fried cracker and topped with potatoes, tomatoes, chickpeas, yogurt and chutney.
7. Rajma: Kidney beans in a thick gravy sauce.
8. Lassi: Sweet yogurt drink with added milk and fruit using mango, typically. 
   • The amount of mango and milk used can increase potassium and phosphorus content. 

1. Choose grilled seafood or lean protein/chicken with tropical fruit salsas (such as pineapple for lower potassium choices if needed). Include leaner types of protein with chicken.
2. Opt for rice and peas, a kidney-friendly alternative to plain rice. 
   • Chickpeas or smaller portions of pigeon peas  
3. May need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Higher potassium dishes with plantains, ackee, yams, cassava and cooked callaloo.
   • Organ meats or meat bones in cooking or made with soups. Include being mindful with portions of lamb/game meat, goat meat curry sometimes used together with potatoes or legumes/beans in a roti.  

1. Choose eggs for breakfast and with side options of salad if available (consider lower potassium choices if needed).
2. Whole wheat/light rye toast or Crumpets or Plain Bagel.
3. Corn Flakes, Puffed Rice and whole wheat, cream of wheat.
4. Waffles and Pancakes (in moderation). 
5. Berry or Non-Bran Muffins, or fruits (consider lower potassium choices if needed).  
6. Opt for plain scones, and tea sandwiches with cucumber, tuna, eggs, and cream cheese/salmon in moderation for afternoon tea .
7. You may need to consider portions and frequency with caution if potassium and phosphorous restriction is required: 
   • Processed meat choices with bacon, sausages and pastries using chocolate, dried fruit and nuts in large amounts .
   • Potato Scones.
   • Potato cakes/ Hashbrowns. 
   • Baked Beans in tomato sauce in large amounts.