By: Kellsey Reed, RDN, LDN, PatientsLikeMe Contributor
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Zucchini is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be a delightful addition to your diet, even if you're managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there are some important factors to keep in mind to ensure that you enjoy zucchini in a way that aligns with your dietary needs.
Understanding Zucchini and its Nutritional Benefits
When you’re first diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may not receive much advice from your healthcare team about what to eat. You may even resort to Google to figure out what to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While browsing, you may notice a ton of conflicting information online about what to eat for CKD. While Google may tell you that zucchini cannot fit into your CKD diet, that’s actually not the case.
Zucchini contains beneficial vitamins and minerals that can be helpful for your kidney health, like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. It’s also naturally low in sodium, making it a great option to support your kidney health.
Some people with CKD may need to follow a lower potassium diet as their kidneys may not be able to effectively remove extra potassium from the body. If this is the case for you, it’s important to be mindful of your potassium intake. You may want to measure out your portion size of zucchini so that you know exactly how much potassium you are getting. You may also want to pair your zucchini with lower potassium vegetables like arugula, onions, and peppers. Check out the nutrition information for zucchini below.
Nutrition information for 1 cup of raw zucchini:
21 calories
1.5 gm protein
0.4 gm fat
1.2 gm fiber
324 mg potassium
10 mg sodium
Ways to Enjoy Zucchini with CKD
When preparing your zucchini, choose lower-sodium herbs, spices, seasonings, and sauces to add flavor. Instead of salt, add fresh herbs like cilantro, dill, basil, and parsley. Many people with CKD need to limit their sodium intake to help manage their kidney health and blood pressure. Jazz up your zucchini with lemon or lime juice or balsamic vinegar for more flavor too. There are so many ways to enjoy zucchini that can fit into a kidney-friendly diet. Here are a few ideas:
- Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): Swap out half of your traditional pasta with zucchini noodles for a more veggie-filled, kidney-friendly option. Toss with a light sauce made from olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for a delicious meal.
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats: Hollow out zucchini halves and fill them with a mixture of white beans or chickpeas, rice, and your favorite kidney-friendly seasonings like oregano, parsley, and basil. Bake until tender for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Grilled Zucchini Slices: Slice zucchini into rounds or long strips, brush with olive oil, and grill until tender. Season with fresh cilantro or dill and a squeeze of lemon for a simple yet flavorful side dish.
- Zucchini Stir-Fry: Stir-fry zucchini with other vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Add a plant-based protein like tofu and season it with herbs for a quick and healthy meal.
Zucchini Recipes for CKD
Try one of these zucchini recipes for a kidney-friendly meal:
- Zucchini stir fry
- Stuffed zucchini
- Zucchini pasta with basil and lemon
- Vegetarian tacos with zucchini
- Air fryer zucchini (leave out the salt for a lower sodium option!)
- Zucchini chickpea veggie burgers
The Bottom Line
Zucchini is a nutritious vegetable option to include in your kidney-friendly diet. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals and naturally low in sodium. If you have been told to follow a lower potassium diet for your CKD, keep in mind the portion size of your zucchini so that you can stick to your dietary goals.
As always, please speak with your healthcare team and dietitian to ensure you follow the right diet for your CKD.