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Potatoes are a controversial topic when it comes to chronic kidney disease. When most people are diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, the first thing they are told is “avoid potatoes.” The truth is this is outdated and inaccurate information. You can enjoy potatoes on a kidney-friendly diet. Let me show you how!
Nutrition in Potatoes
Potatoes contain many different vitamins and minerals that are helpful for our overall health. Potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, niacin, manganese, and folate. White potatoes and sweet potatoes both contain different amounts of nutrients. See below for the nutrition facts for each one.
One small russet potato contains:
- 134 calories
- 4 gm protein
- 31 gm carbohydrates
- 2 gm fiber
- 709 mg potassium
- 9 mg sodium
One small sweet potato contains:
- 112 calories
- 2 gm protein
- 26 gm carbohydrates
- 4 gm fiber
- 438 mg potassium
- 72 mg sodium
Sweet Potatoes vs. White Potatoes
As you can see, regular potatoes contain more carbohydrates, protein, and potassium. Sweet potatoes contain more fiber and sodium but less potassium, carbohydrates, and protein. Both types of potatoes can fit into a kidney-friendly diet.
Potatoes can also be a great starchy vegetable to use in your balanced meal for CKD. Pairing your potatoes with a non-starchy vegetable like broccoli or cauliflower, plus a plant-based protein like tofu and some healthy fats like olive oil, can make for a delicious, balanced, CKD-friendly plate!
Enjoying potatoes with Chronic Kidney Disease
While potatoes are rich in beneficial vitamins and minerals, this can be tricky for those with CKD. Why? Potatoes contain high amounts of potassium, and this is often why many people diagnosed with CKD are told to avoid potatoes.
Some individuals with CKD need to follow a lower potassium diet to manage the potassium levels in their blood. That said, there are ways to reduce the potassium in your potatoes to enjoy them without stress. If you need to follow a low-potassium diet, try the double boil method for your potatoes or enjoy sweet potatoes as they are lower in potassium than regular potatoes.
The Double Boil Method
Double boiling your potatoes can help to remove 50-75% of the potassium in them. This is a great method to use if you want to enjoy potatoes but still need to follow a low-potassium diet for your CKD. Here are the steps to use:
- Peel and cut your potatoes as desired and boil in water for 5-10 minutes.
- After the potatoes are done boiling the first time, drain the water and refill with new water.
- Boil the potatoes again in the new water for another 5-10 minutes. Cook your potatoes as desired!
Recipes for Enjoying Potatoes with Chronic Kidney Disease
- Dairy free mashed potatoes
- Low sodium lemon garlic potatoes
- Low sodium twice baked potatoes
- Low sodium potatoes o’brien
- Easy vegan scalloped potatoes
- Creamy vegan potato soup (would suggest leaving out the salt here!)
- Low potassium style fried potatoes
- Sweet potato fries
References
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168482/nutrients