Kidney Diet Tips

Food Facts Friday: Pumpkins

Autumn is upon us with beautiful vibrant colored leaves and the crisp fall air. This is the season for pumpkins, and the warm comforting smell it brings to the holiday season. We celebrate fun holidays like Halloween, carving jack-o-lanterns and making delicious desserts like pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

The name “pumpkin” comes from the Greek word “pepon,” meaning “large melon.” Scientifically speaking, pumpkins are a fruit (they contain seeds). However, when it comes to cooking, they are often times referred to as a vegetable. There’s over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins grown in the United States each year.

Nutrients in Pumpkins

Pumpkin is a higher potassium food and may be limited for a low potassium kidney diet and for those on hemodialysis. However, in moderation pumpkin can be beneficial for your overall health. One cup of fresh pumpkin provides:

  • 30 calories
  • 2.8 g protein
  • 51 mg phosphorus
  • 1.2 mg sodium
  • 540 mg potassium

It adds beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber to the diet. The potassium content for pumpkin products can vary.

  • 1 cup of canned pumpkin = 505 mg
  • 1 cup of canned pumpkin pie mix = 540 mg
  • 1/2 cup roasted whole pumpkin seeds = 294 mg

Pumpkin Recipes

When looking at pumpkin recipes it is important to note the amount of pumpkin in the dish. Typically, it needs to contain less than 140 mg per serving to be considered low potassium. In addition to the pumpkin, consider other potassium-containing ingredients.There are a few methods to reduce the amount of potassium in pumpkin, as well as potatoes and winter squash. One such way is to boil small pieces of pumpkin for 10 minutes, drain and add fresh water and boil until cooked. This can reduce potassium by 1/3 to 1/2 of the original amount.

Below are some low-potassium pumpkin favorite recipes containing less than 140 mg of potassium per serving. The amount of pumpkin puree ranges from 1/2 to 1 cup per recipe.

Also check out DaVita.com for additional kidney-friendly pumpkin recipes.

References:

  1. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/pumpkins/history.cfm – accessed 10/2/19
  2.  https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2600/2 – accessed 10/16/19

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.

Stephanie Suhai, MS, RD

Stephanie Suhai, MS, RD

Stephanie Suhai, MS, RD has been a dietitian for 10 years, working in acute care, sub-acute rehab, and long term care and now works in dialysis with both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. She holds a passion for clinical nutrition research, counseling and education. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, staying active and spending time with her family.