Barbecuing with Kidney Disease

June 01, 2022

Every barbecue requires planning. You may be wondering- How many people are coming? Do I have enough food? When’s the last time I cleaned my grill? The list goes on. 

A barbecue fit for people following a kidney disease diet usually requires even more planning. You have to consider protein, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and more! Don’t worry, though- we have you covered. Here is the perfect barbecue menu to sink your teeth into.

3-course, kidney-friendly menu

The following menu items are appropriate for people with diabetes, those with CKD stages 1 through 5, people on dialysis, and kidney transplant recipients. However, every person with kidney disease has different nutritional needs. Depending on your dietary needs and restrictions, you may need to alter the recipes, eat smaller serving sizes, or eat more of certain foods. 

Speak with a kidney dietitian to ensure these recipes are suitable for you. You can find a kidney dietitian here

Appetizer: BBQ apple chips

Do you love grazing on chips during a social event but hate the preservatives and sodium that come with it? Swap the premade potato chips with these crispy, savory apple chips. 

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Main course: BBQ pineapple chicken

Break out the grill and show off your skills with this effortlessly delicious BBQ chicken that is tender on the inside and golden brown on the outside.

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Side dish: coleslaw

Can a BBQ be complete without a creamy, crunchy coleslaw? While we can’t answer that question for sure (we’ll leave that up to you), we can highly recommend giving this delightful slaw a try. 

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Beverage: watermelon spritzer

You’re outdoors, it’s hot, and there’s a cooler full of tantalizing sodas. How do you avoid the temptation? Find a drink replacement! This bubbly spritzer gives you the illusion of drinking pop without the extra sugar and phosphorus. 

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Dessert: apple caramel crisp

End your festivities with this soon-to-be crowd favorite apple caramel crisp. It’s everything you want in a dessert- sweet, gooey, and crispy. 

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Nutritional information (1 serving per menu item)

 BBQ pineapple chickenBBQ apple chipsColeslawWatermelon spritzerApple caramel crispTotal
Calories140526535176468
Carbohydrates23.2 g12.3 g8 g8 g27.4 g78.9 g
Dietary fiber1.3 g1.3 g1 g0.4 g5.2 g10.7 g
Protein9.5 g1 g0.6 g0.6 g2.5 g14.2 g
Fat1.6 g0.8 g3.5 g0.2 g6.8 g12.9 g
Saturated fat0.4 g0.1 g0.5 g0 g3.7 g4.7 g
Sodium81 mg43 mg134.1 mg51 mg4.1 mg313.2 mg
Potassium252.6 mg167.4 mg96.1 mg117 mg185.4 mg666.1 mg
Calcium27.8 mg27.6 mg22.3 mg19 mg33 mg129.7 mg
Phosphorus73.5 mg27.4 mg16.9 mg11 mg63.2 mg192 mg

Tried a National Kidney Foundation recipe and love it?

Share a picture of your dish with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to let other people with kidney disease know about the recipe. We can’t wait to see your creations!