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Chocolate bars, chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, chocolate cake, the list goes on and on. Chocolate is a delicious treat that is found in so many different foods and beverages! It is especially popular during this time of year when Halloween candy is on every grocery aisle. If you love chocolate and have CKD, it’s important to talk about the nutrients, disadvantages, and benefits of chocolate to understand how it can fit in a kidney-friendly diet.
Can You Enjoy Chocolate When You Have CKD?
Many people think that it is necessary to avoid chocolate when you have CKD. This is likely because chocolate contains sugar and naturally occurring phosphorus and is high in potassium. While some people with CKD may need to limit these nutrients, it doesn’t mean that you have to completely avoid chocolate. Instead, you may want to limit your portion size.
This really goes for any food that may contain more sugar, potassium, or phosphorus than you’d like to consume. Enjoying different foods on a kidney-friendly diet is all about portion size! Yes, you can enjoy chocolate when you have CKD. Keeping your portion size in mind is key.
Types of Chocolate and How Safe They Are For CKD
There are different types of chocolate out there and all of them contain different amounts of nutrients. It’s important to know which nutrients chocolate contains so you can know how to fit them into your kidney-friendly diet. A good portion size to stick to is 1 ounce of chocolate. Be sure to always read the label and nutrition facts of your foods and beverages before consuming.
In general, dark chocolate is lower in sugar but higher in potassium and fiber. Milk and white chocolate are lower in potassium but higher in sugar typically.
Dark chocolate (1 ounce portion size):
- 2 gm protein
- 200 mg potassium
- 87 mg phosphorus
- 7 gm sugar
- 6 mg sodium
Milk chocolate (1 ounce portion size):
- 2 gm protein
- 107 mg potassium
- 60 mg phosphorus
- 14 gm sugar
- 25 mg sodium
White chocolate (1 ounce portion size):
- 1.6 gm protein
- 81 mg potassium
- 50 mg phosphorus
- 17 gm sugar
- 25 mg sodium
*Nutrition facts taken from the USDA nutrient database
Health Benefits of Chocolate for CKD
Even though chocolate contains some nutrients that we don’t want in excess, chocolate also contains some beneficial nutrients. For example, dark chocolate is a powerhouse of nutrients. Dark chocolate has been shown to contain antioxidants that help protect against oxidative stress in the body. Cocoa has been shown to contain polyphenols, which according to research has a “preventive role against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and anti-inflammatory diseases”.
Cocoa also contains flavonoids, which have been shown to help protect against heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Flavonoids have also been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity and brain function. Dark chocolate also contains fiber, which is beneficial for our gut health, heart health, and kidney health (2).
Kidney-Friendly Chocolate Recipes for CKD:
The Bottom Line for Safety of CKD and Chocolate
Yes, you can enjoy chocolate when you have chronic kidney disease. Being mindful of your portion sizes of chocolate is key! Including chocolate along with a balanced kidney-friendly diet full of fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains is also important. What is your favorite chocolate 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.com/forum/ckd/topics to join our discussion. You can share what you are going through, ask for advice, and plan a path forward from people who understand.