Kidney Diet Tips

St. Patrick’s Day Tips and Recipes for the Kidney Diet

Tomorrow is not only Thursday (as in throwback Thursday), it’s also Saint Patrick’s Day. I’m sharing a previous post from 2012 that has some great tips and recipes for a St. Patty’s Day celebration.

On March 17th we all have a bit of Irish in us. Here in America St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish-American culture more so than a celebration of the patron saint. We love to prepare a hearty Irish meal, wear something green, and drink Irish beer, even if it’s green.  Parades and parties are  are all around, and Irish pubs have standing room only.

For those of you following the kidney diet I have a few tips to help you stick with a kidney-friendly diet and still join in St. Patty Day celebrations.

  • Go for a hearty beef stew, roast lamb, salmon or Shepherd’s pie and steer clear of the corned beef, which has over 900 mg sodium for a 3 ounce serving. You can also cook a fresh brisket without the curing seasonings.
  • If you plan a traditional Irish potato dish like Potatoes O ‘Brien,  Colcannon (a cabbage and potato dish), or plain old Mash (mashed potatoes),  you can reduce potassium in the potatoes by double boiling or soaking the potatoes, and limit to one serving.
  • Save your vegetable choices for the day for your celebration meal and watch portions to avoid potassium overload.
  • If you include beer, make it a root beer or a lower phosphorus  light beer (with green dye, of course).  Some of the best kidney-friendly choices are Bud Light® or Michelob Ultra Light®. Most other beers, including traditional Irish beers (even O ‘Doul’s®) contain almost 100 mg potassium and 140 mg phosphorus for 12 ounces. Always check with your doctor before including alcohol in your diet, and be aware of your fluid intake if you are on a fluid restriction.
  • Look for kidney-friendly recipes on DaVita.com to help keep sodium, potassium and phosphorus in check.
St_Patrick's_Day

 

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Choose a main dish from these kidney-friendly recipes on DaVita.com

 

Choose a side dish

Choose a Dessert

Choose a beverage

  • Irish cream (6 ounces brewed coffee and Irish cream flavored coffee creamer)
  • Minted Lemonade

An Irish Blessing for you

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.

And an Irish Toast

May the sound of happy music, and the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after.

An Irish Quote

“St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time — a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.”~~By Adrienne Cook.~~

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara is a renal dietitian with over 30 years experience working with people with diabetes and kidney disease. She is co-author of the popular kidney cookbook "Cooking for David: A Culinary Dialysis Cookbook". Sara is the Manager of Kidney Care Nutrition for DaVita. She analyzes recipes and creates content, resources and tools for the kidney community. In her spare time Sara loves to spend time with her young grandson, including fun times together in her kitchen.