July 09, 2024
Everyone has different nutritional needs. Ask a kidney dietitian or a healthcare provider for advice in creating a kidney disease diet plan.
Welcome to National Kidney Foundation’s picnic spread! Here are five kidney-friendly recipes perfect for long sunny days and warm summer nights.
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1. Bow-Tie Pasta Salad
This low-fat, low-sodium pasta salad is full of flavor and easy to make. It’s sure to become a summer party or picnic favorite.
Serving size: 1/3 cup
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked bow-tie pasta
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 2 tbsp chopped green pepper
- 2 tbsp shredded carrot
- 2 tsp minced onion
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise, low-fat
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Directions
- Mix pasta, celery, green pepper, carrot, and onion in a bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, blend pepper, mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Pour over pasta and vegetables.
- Mix until well-coated.
- Chill before serving.
Get the full recipe and nutritional information.
2. Grilled Sesame Chicken
The enticing aroma of our sweet and savory honey-soy sauce caramelizing as it grills is second only to how delicious it tastes.
Serving size: 1 half chicken breast
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sherry
- 4, 4–oz skinned, boned chicken breast halves
- Vegetable cooking spray
Directions
- Combine the first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.
- Set aside.
- Flatten chicken pieces to ¼–inch thickness using a mallet or rolling pin.
- Spray the grill with cooking spray.
- Grill chicken over medium-hot coals for 4 minutes on each side, basting frequently with soy sauce mixture.
- Transfer to a serving platter.
Get the full recipe and nutritional information.
3. Lemon Curry Chicken Salad
This tantalizing salad combines tender chicken with juicy halved grapes and crisp sliced celery, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for seconds.
Serving size: 1 cup
Ingredients
- ¼ cup oil
- 4 tbsp frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp curry powder
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ cups cooked diced chicken
- 1½ cups grapes, halved
- ½ cup sliced celery
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine oil, lemonade concentrate, and spices.
- Add remaining ingredients and toss lightly.
- Chill.
Get the full recipe and nutritional information.
4. Chicken Fajitas
Brighten up your summer dinner rotation with these easy-to-make, delicious fajitas.
Serving size: 4oz
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (12 ounces)
- 6 tbsp grated 2% Mexican cheese blend
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ yellow onion, sliced and cut into strips
- 1 bell pepper, cut into strips
- 6 small corn tortillas
Directions
- Cook chicken until 165°F. Let rest. Then, cut.
- Cook onion until translucent and bell pepper until browned.
- Toss chicken and vegetables with onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Add chicken and cooked vegetables to the tortilla.
- Top with shredded cheese and enjoy!
Get the full recipe and nutritional information.
5. Apple Bread Loaf
Searching for a high-fiber vegan dessert that’s also moist and sweet? If so, NKF’s new apple bread loaf is the perfect treat.
Serving size: 1 slice (0.6”)
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple with peel, grated (1¼ cups unpacked)
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup ground oats
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
- Spray an 8.5” x 4.5” rectangular pan with non-stick spray.
- Add the mixture to the pan. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Remove the apple bread from the oven and let it cool. Cut into 12 slices of 0.6”.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Get the full recipe and nutritional information.
Get More Recipes
View our kidney superfoods or get more kidney-friendly recipes.
*This content is provided for informational use only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional.
