Kidney Diet Tips

Staying on a Budget With Canned Foods

Canned foods are one of the best ways to purchase food items for your home: they are inexpensive, convenient and easy to store. Read on to learn about how to keep grocery costs down and maintain a kidney-friendly diet with canned foods.

Save More with Sales

Supermarkets often have sales on canned goods, which is a great time to stock your pantry. Check store fliers once a week for any sales or coupons. Stores often run good sales such as 10 of one item for $10, and some weeks you can even find 10 of one item for $5 sales. Clipping coupons every week can often be time consuming, but using coupons on top of the sale prices can help lower your shopping bill. You can also use websites such as Coupons.com and Checkout51 to save or earn cash back on grocery purchases. Comparing the prices of brand names to generic can also offer big savings. Oftentimes the generic brands are just as good as the big name brands, so don’t be afraid to do a taste test. Canned items are also stocked at stores other than grocery stores, so it might be worth your time to scan pharmacy and dollar store aisles for deals. If you have a membership to a big box store, buying bulk can help you save money, especially if there are sales and coupons. 

Look for Low-Sodium Options

Canned foods are often touted as unhealthy but with a few tricks, canned foods can easily fit into a healthy, kidney-friendly diet. If you are following a low-sodium diet, start by looking for “low-salt” or “no-added-salt” items. Many popular food staples such as soups, corn, string beans and tuna can be found with reduced sodium content. If low-sodium canned vegetables are hard to come by, buy the regular variety and rinse the vegetables thoroughly with water to help reduce the sodium level. Canned meats such as tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel are a good way to get some healthy proteins into your meal plan. Just make sure to get the low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties to help keep the salt content to a minimum.

Be Mindful of Canned Fruit Packaging

Canned fruits can be a low-cost way to enjoy sweet treats. However, many of these items are loaded with as much sugar as a slice of cake. Make sure to purchase canned fruits packed in their own juice for the lowest sugar content, or in a light syrup if the juice variety is unavailable. Peaches, pears, mixed fruits and fruit cups are a few common fruits that offer lower-sugar packaging.

Once Opened, Store Food in Airtight Containers

Here’s a food storage tip: Do not leave an opened canned item in the refrigerator. Once the can is open, its preservative properties no longer work. It’s best to transfer anything left in the can to an airtight container to prevent any foodborne illness or poisoning that could possibly happen.

Canned foods can be a nutritious and budget-friendly option for anyone looking to save money on groceries. If the cans are stored properly in a cool, dark environment, their contents can be preserved for several years.

Looking for more ways to save at the grocery store? Check out these 5 Tips for Sticking to a Grocery Budget.

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.

Lynn Taylor MS, RD, LD

Lynn Taylor MS, RD, LD

Lynn is an avid kayaker. In her free time she loves trying new recipes, biking, gardening and traveling.