Tempted by Halloween candy? Tips for your kidney diet

Halloween candy is a treat so you may need some Halloween tips to help you stay in control of your kidney diet when tempted by all those extra sweets. Don’t be tricked into letting your potassium, phosphorus, blood sugar or waistline increase!

Before Halloween Tips

• Purchase candy you know is acceptable on your diet. For example if you suck on hard candies to help control thirst, buy your favorite kind and use leftovers for thirst control.
• Be aware of high potassium and high phosphorus ingredients like chocolate and nuts and avoid candies made with these ingredients.
• Instead of buying candy buy caramel apples or make popcorn balls as a Halloween treat.
• If you have diabetes buy low sugar candy or allow for the extra carbohydrate in your diet. You could save sugar-containing candy for emergency use when you have a low blood sugar episode.
• Purchase Halloween candy you don’t really like—you won’t be as tempted to eat it, especially the leftover candy.
• Try a DaVita.com Halloween recipe
  Glistening Frog Eye Salad
  Halloween Delight Cake
  Hot Apple Cider
  Popcorn Balls
  Spooky Punch

After Halloween Tips

• Package extra candy and drop it off at a homeless shelter or send to a home-bound friend.
• Give away leftover candy—to the neighbors, take some to church or dialysis or anywhere there’s a crowd. You’re sure to get many takers!
• Freeze leftover candy or store it in a container in the pantry. Out of sight, out of mind means less temptation to eat too much leftover candy.
• Take a walk or do some other exercise to match each piece of candy you eat.
• If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar more often. If your results are too high you will be less tempted to eat leftover candy.
• Avoid the candy isle in stores after Halloween—the fantastic sale prices may tempt you to buy unneeded candies.
• For more information, check out the latest DaVita.com article, Kidney-friendly candy for dialysis patients.

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.