3 Meals For Better Kidney Health
To celebrate National Kidney Month, we’re sharing three delightful recipes that aren’t only delicious, but also help build up your kidney health. Best of all, each of these tasty meals also supports your general wellness and an optimal immune system, ensuring that you’re boosting your health in all important areas of your life!
1. Easy Blueberry Smoothie
When you’re being treated for kidney disease, it’s important that you lower how much dietary phosphorous you eat. While this mineral is typically healthy for you, weaker kidneys struggle to filter out extra phosphorous and the mineral can put an added burden on your kidneys.
This is why this delightfully blue smoothie is so great! Unlike many fruits, blueberries are low in phosphorous. Plus, they’re high in inflammation-reducing antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which fight inflammation in your kidneys and may also reduce your risks of numerous cancers and chronic diseases.
2 cups unsweetened dairy-free milk
1 cup frozen organic blueberries
2 frozen bananas
1/4 cup almond butter
1/3 cup rolled oats
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy. Enjoy!
2. Egg White Veggie Scramble
People who are going through dialysis treatment, or who have struggling kidneys, tend to have higher-than-average protein needs. Eggs remain one of the best, easy-to-metabolize sources of protein, but egg yolks are high in phosphorous.
This egg white scramble leaves out the golden yolks for a kidney-friendly alternative. It’s loaded with flavor as well as immunity-enhancing antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-afternoon snack!
4 large egg whites
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup firm cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
1 tbsp olive oil
Season a hot frying pan with the olive oil, then add the garlic. Let it sizzle for 15-20 seconds or until the garlic is golden-brown, then add the egg whites. Let them set for 30 seconds before adding the veggies and seasoning. Scramble quickly until the veggies are soft and the eggs are cooked through, then enjoy!
3. One-Pan Baked Sea Bass
Fish are the best source for omega-3 fatty acids, a type of healthy fat that has been shown to slow or even reduce the development or spread of kidney disease. Unfortunately, most seafood is also very rich in phosphorous, which is a no-go for those who have weak kidneys or kidney disease.
Sea bass is one of the few exceptions. While it’s high in omega-3 fats, it’s lower in phosphorous compared to most other fish species. This delightful recipe takes just minutes to prepare and will wow your friends and family when you serve it.
1 pound sea bass (cleaned and scaled)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp sea salt
2 lemon wedges
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven is heating up, combine the olive oil with the herbs and spices.
Place the sea bass into a baking dish and pour the seasoned oil over it. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily. Garnish with the lemon wedges and enjoy.