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With the holidays right around the corner, dreams of pumpkin pie or sugar cookies may be dancing in your mind. Desserts are an essential part of the holiday season and can bring our loved ones closer together! Can desserts fit in a kidney-friendly diet?
How to Enjoy Kidney-Friendly Holiday Desserts
Desserts and sweet treats can be high in sugar. Keeping this in mind is key when you have CKD. One of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease is diabetes. Diabetes makes it difficult for the body to digest carbohydrates/sugars and can lead to blood glucose that are either too low or too high. Sometimes, too much sugar in your diet over time can lead to increased blood glucose levels, which can affect your kidneys too!
Being mindful of your portion size of sweets is key. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 9 teaspoons (or 36 grams) of added sugars per day and that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugars (or 25 grams) per day. Instead of completely giving up your beloved sweet treats, try limiting your portion size!
What to Keep in Mind When Planning Kidney-Friendly Holiday Desserts
Nutrients in Desserts
- Sweets and treats are typically low in protein, which is helpful for those with CKD and on a lower-protein diet. With that being said, desserts mainly contain carbohydrates (sugars) and fats.
- Too much sugar or saturated fats can lead to increases in blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Portion size is important!
- Try baking or buying sweet treats with less saturated fats and lower amounts of added sugars.
Blood Sugar Balance
- Eating desserts after or with a balanced meal can help you to better control your blood sugars. Try to get in some protein, fiber (vegetables), and healthy fats to help with blood sugar control.
- Try walking for ten minutes after your meals and desserts to better balance your blood glucose levels.
Potassium in Kidney-Friendly Holiday Desserts
- Some desserts may be high in potassium. If you follow a low-potassium diet for your CKD, then it’s important to keep in mind your portion size of desserts.
- If you need to follow a low-potassium diet for your CKD, try vanilla-flavored desserts or desserts made with berries, pineapple, apples, or pears instead of chocolate desserts or desserts made with bananas, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes.
Ways to Reduce Sugar in Kidney-Friendly Holiday Desserts
- Use fruit like applesauce or mashed banana to replace half of the sugar that is called for in a kidney-friendly holiday dessert recipe.
- Try decreasing the sugar amount in a recipe by half, it will likely still taste great but will contain less sugar!
- Try sweetening desserts with fruit instead of sugar.
- Practice enjoying smaller portions of your favorite kidney-friendly holiday desserts and really savor them.
Kidney-Friendly Desserts to Enjoy During the Holidays
- Pies like apple, cherry, blueberry, and strawberry are lower potassium options
- Pies like pecan, sweet potato or pumpkin pie are higher potassium options
- Cookies like gingerbread, sugar, or shortbread cookies
- Berry or apple crisp
- Jello or fruit sorbet
Kidney-Friendly Holiday Dessert Recipes
- Squash pie
- Pumpkin layer cheesecake
- Apple pie
- Shortbread cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Ginger cookies
- Apple crisp
The Bottom Line
Kidney-friendly holiday desserts can be so delicious and enjoyable and they can be a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth! When you have CKD, it’s important to be mindful of the portion size of your desserts. Being mindful of added sugars in your diet can also help you to control your blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels.