Simple Ways to Use Pinterest for Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Before the days of everything digital, I used to relish snipping ideas, especially recipes, from magazines and saving them for future inspiration. Years later, a website called Pinterest hasn’t replaced my love for magazines, but it has meant my scissors spend more time in the desk drawer. With 250 million people using Pinterest every month, individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may also be exploring Pinterest and wondering how to find recipes that fit with a kidney-friendly diet.

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a social network, where users can search, categorize and save information from all over the internet. Content posted on Pinterest, referred to as a “pin,” is most often an image with a link back to its website of origin. Users create individual profiles where they can save, or “pin,” content to personalized “boards.” Once one user has pinned something from a website, it is available for other users to find and pin to their own boards. A simple search in Pinterest can return recipes sourced from countless websites and blogs.

Finding Kidney-Friendly Recipes

As a result, Pinterest may feel overwhelming for someone following a special diet. Below are a few tips for finding kidney-friendly recipes on Pinterest:

1. Follow DaVita Kidney Care. DaVita pins include many recipes designed for individuals with CKD. To follow DaVita, click here or simply type “DaVita” in the Pinterest search bar and click the Follow button on the DaVita Kidney Care profile. Recipes can also be pinned from DaVita’s website using the Pin-it button. Kidney.org is another source of reliable kidney information with kidney-friendly recipes you can pin.
2. Know your individual diet guidelines. Stage of CKD and specific lab results can affect individual nutrient restrictions in a kidney-friendly diet. Asking your nephrologist or dietitian whether you need more or less of certain nutrients is the best way to know you’re on the right track. Be sure to ask about how much protein, phosphorus, potassium and sodium you should have in your diet. This will help you identify recipe ingredients to avoid.
3. Watch out for possible red-flag ingredients. Individuals who need to reduce phosphorus, potassium and sodium in their diet can cut back by avoiding recipes with significant amounts of the following ingredients:
   • Processed meats like sausage, ham or bacon
   • Milk, yogurt and cheese
   • Chocolate
   • Dried fruit, nuts and nut butters
   • Dried beans and peas
   • High potassium produce, including potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, spinach and bananas
   • Salt, seasoning packets, soy sauce and other pre-made sauces

From Pin to Table

You can get started on Pinterest by creating a free account. A great next step is to think about what types of recipes you enjoy or want to include in your diet. Consider creating boards that support your diet goals, e.g. you may be trying to eat more whole grains. You can then use the search to find specific recipes that appeal to you. To prevent stockpiling recipes without trying any, set a goal for how often you could realistically prepare a new recipe, such as once per week. Lastly, boards for favorite recipes allow you to earmark dishes you’d like to make again.

References:

https://www.pinterest.com/

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.