Kidney Diet Tips: The Scoop on Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Imagine you’ve enjoyed a Valentine’s Day dinner with your special someone. In addition to a romantically funny card, your sweetie pulls out a box of chocolates. Do you keep it or pass it on to someone who isn’t concerned about potassium and phosphorus? It may be a hard decision, but if you are more informed about chocolates your decision may be easier to make.

Kidney diets always include chocolate on the limit or avoid list because the potassium and phosphorus in chocolate can add up quickly. If you decide to keep your chocolates, be aware of how much each piece contributes to your daily potassium and phosphorus intake.

Consider these tips:

• Limit chocolate candy to a 1/2 to 1 ounce serving in a day. If you’re too tempted to eat more, it’s probably better to re-gift the chocolates.
• Select dark chocolate-it has more heart protecting flavonoids, and the phosphorus is lower compared to milk chocolate.
• Give the chocolate covered nuts and chocolate covered dried fruit away—too much phosphorus and potassium in a small serving and it’s tempting to eat more!
• Plan a dessert with a small portion of chocolate chips or chocolate dessert topping instead of chocolate candy, cake or pie.
• Chocolate covered candies are lower in potassium and phosphorus than solid chocolates. Compare your favorite chocolates on the chart below.

Chocolate	Portion	Potassium	Phosphorus
Easy Low Phosphorus Fudge	1 pc (3”x1-1/2”)	48	20
Chocolate coated caramels	2 pc (1 oz)	35	17
Chocolate covered coconut	2 pc (1 oz)	47	22
Chocolate covered mints	8 pc (1 oz)	54	18
Chocolate covered vanilla creams	2 pc (1 oz)	50	31
Chocolate truffles, Godiva	2 pc (1 oz)	90	52
Chocolate caramel pecan turtles	2 pc (1 oz)	104	62
Chocolate kiss, Hershey’s	6 pc (1 oz)	117	89
Chocolate covered almonds	7 pc (1 oz)	133	97
Chocolate covered peanuts	2-1/2 tablespoons (1 oz)	125	53
Chocolate covered raisins	2 tablespoons	146	41
Chocolate fudge dessert topping	1 tablespoon	45	30
Chocolate flavored syrup	1 tablespoon	34	26
Chocolate chips, semi-sweet	1/4 cup	128	45
Chocolate chips, milk chocolate	1/4 cup	136	116
Chocolate cake with chocolate icing	1 piece (3 oz)	145	123
Chocolate cake with white icing	1 piece (3 oz)	102	98
Chocolate cupcake with choc icing	2-1/2” diameter	88	43
Chocolate meringue pie	1/6th of a 9” pie	211	149
Fabulous Hot Cocoa	1 cup	82	40

Berries and cherries are also popular desserts for Valentine’s Day. Find your favorites in the DaVita Valentine’s Day recipe collection.

 

Additional Kidney Diet Resources

Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:

DaVita Food Analyzer

DaVita Dining Out Guides

Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks

DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Diet and Nutrition Articles                                                      

Diet and Nutrition Videos

Kidney Smart® Virtual Classes

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.