Donuts, cookies, cakes, breads, muffins. There are so many different types of baked goods! Baked goods can be a delicious treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. But can you still enjoy your favorite baked goods with chronic kidney disease? Let’s dig a bit deeper to find out.
Baked Goods Desserts & Chronic Kidney Disease
To understand if baked goods can fit in a kidney-friendly diet, it’s important to first discuss what nutrients are in baked goods. Many baked goods contain similar key ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, and or salt. These ingredients can contain certain nutrients that affect kidney health overall.
Sodium: Salt, a common baking ingredient, contains sodium. Sodium in excess can affect blood pressure and kidney function when you have CKD. Baking soda and baking powder both contain sodium too. One tsp of baking soda contains 1,259 mg of sodium, and baking powder contains 488 mg of sodium. This can add up rather quickly when baking, so it’s important to keep in mind.
Potassium: Potassium in excess can sometimes be harmful for those with CKD. With that being said, not everyone with CKD needs to limit potassium. Baked goods made with fruit or cocoa powder can be higher in potassium, so if you need a potassium restriction, be mindful of your portion size.
Phosphorus: Baking powder is used in many baked goods like muffins, donuts, and cakes to help them rise. Unfortunately, baking powder contains phosphate additives, which can contribute to high phosphorus levels in those with CKD. Try using a baking powder substitute instead of baking powder to reduce your intake of phosphate additives.
Sugar: Sugar is what makes baked goods taste sweet and delicious! In excess, sugar has been shown to be harmful for those with CKD. Sugar has been linked to increased uric acid levels, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Eating baked goods in moderation is key.
Saturated fat: Saturated fat is found in one of the most common baking ingredients: butter. While tasty, butter can add a significant amount of saturated fat to your baked goods. Saturated fat is linked to heart disease and increased LDL cholesterol levels in the body. It’s important to limit saturated fat intake when you have CKD.
Tips for Baking Desserts at Home with Chronic Kidney Disease
- Try using a baking powder substitute. To make this, you can substitute one teaspoon of baking powder with 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar, vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Try using half the portion size of salt to cut down on the sodium content of your baked goods.
- If you need a potassium restriction, choose baked goods made with lower potassium ingredients like apples, berries, pineapple, and vanilla instead of chocolate or banana-based baked goods.
- Try using whole wheat flour instead of white flour for more fiber and nutrients. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour contains more potassium than white flour.
- Try using half the recommended amount of sugar in your baked goods to decrease your sugar intake.
- Try using fruit instead of sugar in your baked goods recipes.
- Use flaxseed meal, yogurt, or applesauce instead of eggs or butter in your baked goods recipes to cut down on protein and saturated fat.
- Use olive or avocado oil instead of butter when baking.
Chronic Kidney Disease-Friendly Dessert Recipes
Try these healthier baked goods recipes when baking with CKD:
- https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/7895959/healthy-baking-recipes/
- https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/recipes/desserts
- https://www.kidneycommunitykitchen.ca/mealcategory/desserts-sweets/
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can enjoy baked goods when you have chronic kidney disease. It can be helpful to keep a few things in mind. Baked goods can contain sodium, saturated fats, and sugar, so being mindful of your portion size is important. When baking at home, try using more kidney-friendly baking techniques like using a baking powder substitute or less salt. What is your favorite baked good to enjoy?
If you are trying to juggle all the restrictions of the CKD diet has your head spinning, there are ways you can start managing your diet and keep it kidney-friendly. Check out PatientsLikeMe's CKD forum to join our discussion. You can share what you are going through, ask for advice, and plan a path forward from people who understand.