C is for …Cranberries: Perfect berries for a kidney dialysis diet

Cranberries are the perfect fruit for low potassium kidney diets because they are very low in potassium. A cup of cranberry juice cocktail contains only 30 mg potassium. A cup of fresh cranberries provides 84 mg potassium, 12 mg phosphorus, 0 mg sodium, 0 g protein 14 g carbohydrate and 60 calories.

A kidney-friendly nutrition profile is not the only reason to eat cranberries. For a low sodium diet, cranberries in the form of sauce, salsa or dried sweetened berries add a punch of flavor to compliment many meat and salad dishes. Cranberry juice cocktail and cranberry juice combinations are tasty and readily available. For people on dialysis who are also diabetic, low calorie or no sugar cranberry juice products are a great choice. Look for fresh whole cranberries in the Fall and buy extra to freeze and use later for up to 9 months. Use fresh, frozen or dried cranberries in muffins, pancakes, stuffing, biscotti, pie and other desserts.

Cranberries have several health benefits. For those who still urinate, substances in cranberries inhibit bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls. This may help prevent bladder infections. Cranberries contain polyphenol antioxidants and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants associated with potential health benefits to prevent cancer, inflammation, infections and age-related diseases.