Are Veggie Burgers a Superfood for Kidney Disease?


Hi, I’m Robert from Healthy Kidney Inc., and today I want to share why I believe veggie burgers can be a superfood for those managing kidney disease. Veggie burgers offer a flexible option for various renal diets, whether you need to follow a low-protein, high-protein, or something in between. They come in a wide range of varieties, which makes them adaptable to different dietary needs. That’s why I think veggie burgers are an excellent addition to a renal-friendly diet.

In my household, we love veggie burgers. We eat them regularly, and they’re a lifesaver when we go out or attend social gatherings. For example, this past Labor Day, I went to a barbecue. Eating out can be tricky when you’re trying to stick to a renal diet, but I knew there would be veggie burgers on the menu, so I was able to relax. I didn’t even have to bring my own food!

Navigating a BBQ on a Renal Diet

At the barbecue, they served Earth Grown Veggie Burgers, which worked well for my renal diet. The burger contained:

  • Potassium: 300 mg
  • Sodium: 290 mg
  • Protein: 5 g

These numbers fit nicely into my low-protein renal diet. When it comes to veggie burgers, one of the biggest concerns is sodium. Ideally, you want to choose options that contain less than 400 mg of sodium per serving. This may sound high, but if the rest of your meal is low in sodium, you can manage to stay within the daily limit of 700-800 mg. Even if you’re eating at home, veggie burgers allow you to stick to sodium guidelines for most renal diets.

The Rest of My Renal-Friendly BBQ Meal

Besides the veggie burger, here’s what I had to stay renal-friendly at the barbecue:

  • Salad: I added a bit of dressing with around 60 mg of sodium and estimated the potassium content to be about 50 mg.
  • Small potatoes: I ate three small potatoes (about ½ cup) with no added salt. That’s about 316 mg of potassium.
  • Frank's Red Hot Sauce: I love hot sauce, and they had Frank's Red Hot at the BBQ. It’s loaded with sodium, so I limited myself to just one teaspoon (190 mg of sodium).
  • Mayonnaise: I mixed about a tablespoon of mayo with the hot sauce, which added another 85 mg of sodium. I estimated around 100 mg of potassium.
  • Grilled yellow peppers: I had about ¾ of a pepper, which I estimated to be about 250 mg of potassium.
  • Lemonade: I had a small amount of lemonade, which was fairly kidney-friendly. It contained 37 mg of potassium and 22 g of sugar—something to be mindful of, especially if you have diabetic nephropathy.

To round off the meal, I also had a small piece of salmon (about an ounce), which added around 5 g of protein and 150 mg of potassium. My total intake for the meal was approximately:

  • Protein: 10-13 g
  • Potassium: 1,000 mg
  • Sodium: 600 mg

I was able to enjoy the BBQ while staying within my dietary guidelines, and the veggie burger played a big part in that.

Recommended Veggie Burgers for Kidney Disease

Here are some other great veggie burger options that are readily available in most supermarkets and can fit into a renal diet:

  1. Amy’s California Veggie Burger
  2. Boca Original Vegan Burger
  3. Gardenburger Veggie Medley

These brands offer a good balance of protein, potassium, and sodium. However, remember to always check the labels and be mindful of the sodium content. We will soon have a more detailed list of veggie burgers on our website, including their phosphorus, potassium, and protein content. So, if you’re looking for more options, be sure to check it out!

Final Tips for Incorporating Veggie Burgers Into Your Renal Diet

Veggie burgers can be a convenient and kidney-friendly choice, whether you’re dining out or cooking at home. However, always be mindful of the sodium content and aim for options with less than 400 mg per serving. With so many different varieties available, you can easily find one that suits your dietary needs, whether you’re following a low-protein or higher-protein plan.

Thank you for reading, and remember to like, subscribe, and visit our website for more information on kidney-friendly foods.

Stay healthy,
Robert G, Healthy Kidney Inc.

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