Quick and easy renal diet lunch
This kidney friendly veggie sandwich can be made in 10 minutes or less and meets many kidney diet nutrient needs!
- It is low in sodium. The sodium content will vary based on the bread and condiments that you use. But since it’s mostly fresh veggies on the sandwich, the overall meal remains low in sodium (less than 500 mg for the meal).
- This sandwich is high in fiber and has a low carb to fiber ratio (< 4:1). Fiber helps you stay full, control blood sugar, have regular bowel movements, and lowers uremic toxins.
- It is negative/neutral PRAL (potential renal acid load). This sandwich contains a lot of veggies and contains plant protein (from the whole grain bread and hummus). This helps keep the PRAL score low which is easier on the kidneys!
- The sandwich is low in potassium (< 600 mg for the whole sandwich) despite having avocado and tomato on it! This leaves plenty of room for a side salad, piece of fruit, or some low sodium chips.
What bread should you use?
There are so many bread options out there! When it comes to kidney friendly breads you want to look for one that is lower in sodium (ideally < 150 mg per slice), has at least 2-3 grams of fiber per slice, and limited or no added sugar.
My absolute favorite as far as ingredients goes is Ezekiel bread. Heads up, it is a sprouted grain bread so it isn’t as soft/pliable as other breads. If you toast it before making your sandwich it tastes better 🙂
Another good options is Dave’s Killer Bread. Their Thin Slice options will be lower in sodium.
Sourdough could be a great option too. Sourdough is often tolerated better for people that may be sensitive to gluten/wheat. It may be higher in sodium, so check the label! Many sourdough bread slices are larger than a regular slice of bread. So if it is 200-300 mg for one slice, just use one slice cut in half when you make your sandwich.
Recipe adjustments
Feel free to switch up the veggies based on what you like and what your needs are! This sandwich has a balance of low potassium (cucumber, onion, arugula) and high potassium (tomato, avocado) veggies.
You could do bell pepper, jicama, another leafy green, zucchini, or radish.
I made the sandwich with mustard because I don’t like mayo. But if you’re a mayo person, feel free to use that. You could use a low sodium pesto, or only use the hummus with no other condiments.
There are honestly so many options for making a kidney friendly veggie sandwich 🙂
For more low-moderate potassium plant foods for CKD, download my FREE CKD Grocery List!
Kidney Friendly Veggie Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole wheat bread Ezekiel or Dave's Killer
- 1-2 tsp mustard or mayo or other preferred condiment
- 2 tbsp hummus
- 1/4 each avocado
- 1 medium slice red onion
- 6-8 slices cucumber
- 2 slices tomato
- 1/2 cup arugula or other leafy green
Instructions
- Toast bread if desired.
- Spread mustard (or other condiments) on each slice of bread.
- Spread 1 tbsp hummus on each slice of bread on top of the condiments.
- Add 1/4 avocado to one slice of bread.
- Stack other veggies in preferred order (I do onion, cucumber, tomato and then arugula)
- Sprinkle black pepper, hot sauce, or other seasoning if desired and enjoy!
What a stroke of luck..you’ve created my Perfect Sandwich!!!! I not only love every ingredient, including the “Dave’s Bread”, it’s absolutely It’s DEE-licous! Sheer genius Michele…: ) The kidneys are happy too…