Caribbean: Sodium and the Kidney Diet

Last Updated: July 05, 2024

Medically reviewed by NKF Patient Education Team

Introduction

Making healthy food choices is important to us all, but it is even more important if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Good nutrition gives you energy to do your daily tasks, prevent infection, build muscle, help maintain a healthy weight— and it may keep your kidney disease from getting worse.

Your kidneys help keep the right balance of nutrients and minerals in your body. But if you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not do this job very well. There are five key nutrients you may need to control: Protein, Sodium, Fluid, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Additional handouts will give you more information about each of the key nutrients. Eating the right amount of each of these can help control

Let’s see how sodium fits into to the kidney diet.

Note: Table salt is sodium chloride (1 teaspoon salt = 2300 mg sodium)

Why is sodium important?

  • Sodium helps nerves and muscles work correctly.
  • Too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and fluid buildup around the heart and lungs.

How much sodium should I have?

Eating too much sodium can be bad for your health if your kidneys aren’t working well. If you are on dialysis, it can cause discomfort during treatment. It also makes you thirstier.

A safe level of sodium intake is less than 2300 mg per day (1 teaspoon of salt). Ask your doctor about meeting with a registered dietitian with special training in kidney disease to help you manage your sodium intake.

Sources of high sodium

  • Ackee and saltfish
  • Jerk chicken
  • Callaloo and saltfish
  • Fried dumplings
  • Chorizo sausage
  • Beef patties
  • Adobo seasoning

*Do not use salt substitute made with potassium if you need to restrict potassium

Best changes to control sodium intake

  • Replace salt with herbs and spices such as sofrito (without tomatoes), hot peppers, onions, and garlic.
  • Choose unsalted snack foods such as unsalted nuts, low sodium tortilla chips, and crackers.
  • Use fresh meats instead of cured, dried, processed, or canned meats.
  • Make homemade soups and sauces without adding salt.
  • Most fast foods and restaurants use more salt than is needed. When dining out ask for “no salt” whenever possible.

Nutrition Facts for Select Caribbean Foods

*Values approximate based on recipe*

Golden apple (1 small)

  • 73.5 Calories
  • 0.361g Protein
  • 2.58mg Sodium
  • 129mg Potassium
  • 12.9mg Phosphorus

Pineapple (½ cup)

  • 41 Calories
  • 0.44g Protein
  • 0.82mg Sodium
  • 90mg Potassium
  • 6.5mg Phosphorus

Tangerine (1 small)

  • 40.3 Calories
  • 0.616g Protein
  • 1.52mg Sodium
  • 126mg Potassium
  • 15.2mg Phosphorus

Chayote/cho-cho/christophene (½ cup)

  • 12.5 Calories
  • 0.5g Protein
  • 1.32mg Sodium
  • 82.5mg Potassium
  • 11.9mg Phosphorus

Jicama (½ cup)

  • 24.7 Calories
  • 0.36g Protein
  • 2.6mg Sodium
  • 97.5mg Potassium
  • 11.7mg Phosphorus

Okra/ochro (½ cup)

  • 33 Calories
  • 1.93g Protein
  • 7mg Sodium
  • 150mg Potassium
  • 30.5mg Phosphorus

Nopale (cactus) (½ cup)

  • 6.9 Calories
  • 0.57g Protein
  • 9mg Sodium
  • 110mg Potassium
  • 6.9mg Phosphorus

Cornmeal porridge (½ cup)

  • 221 Calories
  • 4.5g Protein
  • 21mg Sodium
  • 175mg Potassium
  • 147mg Phosphorus

Curried goat (100g)

  • 109 Calories
  • 20.6g Protein
  • 82mg Sodium
  • 385mg Potassium
  • 180mg Phosphorus

Ceviche (½ cup)

  • 62 Calories
  • 10.3g Protein
  • 158mg Sodium
  • 286mg Potassium
  • 106mg Phosphorus

Paella (1.5 cup)

  • 289 Calories
  • 3g Protein
  • 150mg Sodium
  • 407mg Potassium
  • 183mg Phosphorus

Picadillo (¾ cup)

  • 162 Calories
  • 18g Protein
  • 133mg Sodium
  • 380mg Potassium
  • 152mg Phosphorus

Rice with pigeon peas (½ cup)

  • 216 Calories
  • 5g Protein
  • 162mg Sodium
  • 239mg Potassium
  • 173mg Phosphorus

Jerk chicken (½ breast)

  • 113 Calories
  • 16g Protein
  • 161mg Sodium
  • 192mg Potassium
  • 217mg Phosphorus

Roti (1 piece)

  • 129 Calories
  • 3.38g Protein
  • 128mg Sodium
  • 84.3mg Potassium
  • 67.9mg Phosphorus

Recipe: Caribbean Sofrito Roast Pork

Caribbean Sofrito Roast Pork is a delicious, low-sodium meal for patients with kidney disease. Made with pork loin, onion, red and green bell peppers, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oregano, and cumin. This dish is flavorful and provides a good amount of protein while keeping potassium and sodium levels low. Enjoy this healthy and nutritious roast pork.

Caribbean Sofrito Roast Pork Recipe

Lean pork loin with a sofrito blend of onions, bell peppers, and cilantro. Simple and flavorful.

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© 2024 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.