5 Simple and Nutritional Kidney-Friendly Breakfasts

Breakfast is a favorite meal in many households, with staples like fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal that can all fit nicely in a kidney-friendly diet. Although many tasty breakfast foods are kidney-friendly, some foods may have too much sodium or other ingredients that aren’t good for someone with chronic kidney disease (CKD). If you or a loved one is living with CKD, rest assured that many tasty foods make for kidney-friendly breakfasts.

Breakfast has long been praised as the most important meal of the day, and while that isn’t necessarily true for everyone, starting your day off with a healthy meal can benefit your kidney-friendly diet. If you have other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, a healthy breakfast helps control your blood sugar and keep your blood pressure in check. Enjoying a kidney-friendly breakfast can set the stage for your healthy day and give you a leg up for successfully meeting your nutritional goals.

Thankfully, many of the breakfast favorites like fruits, whole grain cereals (without added sugars), and oatmeal tend to be higher in fiber and other nutrients, so people who eat these types of food for breakfast are in a good spot to meet their daily nutritional goals. Your dietitian can help you determine what nutrients you’ll need daily.

For some, breakfast is synonymous with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Others prefer to start the day with a glass of orange juice or water. While you often can drink coffee, preferably served black, and other caffeinated beverages when living with kidney disease, it’s always best to consult your dietitian first. You will likely need to moderate how much fluid you can drink. And when it comes to juice, stick to 100 percent fruit juices and consult nutrition labels to check for added sugars.

When planning breakfast, keep your specific diagnosis and treatment type in mind. While many foods fit easily in a kidney-friendly breakfast, not all will. In general, foods that are low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus are good for people with CKD, but be sure to check with your doctor and dietitian for specific suggestions.

Whole foods that aren’t overly processed are generally a good idea for your kidney-friendly breakfast.

• Whole grain cereal, bagel, bread, or English muffin
• Oatmeal
• Fresh fruit such as a bowl of cut strawberries, sliced cucumber, or diced bell peppers
• Plant-based choices like almond milk, peanut butter, and chia seeds
• Eggs

Watch out for foods that can be high in sodium or overly processed.

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Processed cheeses
• Pancake mixes
• Frozen breakfast sandwiches or packaged biscuits

There are plenty of delicious recipes available through Fresenius Kidney Care, and you can filter them based on meal type, cuisine, dietary restrictions, ingredients, and allergens. With so much to choose from, there are kidney-friendly breakfast ideas for everyone.

Eggs are easy to cook and a great source of protein.

Recipe ideas: High-Protein Breakfast Tacos, Egg Salad Avocado Toast

Find easy and delicious ways to make nearly any breakfast classic.

Recipe ideas: Maple Granola, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

Prepare these baked goods in advance for an easy breakfast on the go.

Recipe ideas: Blueberry Muffins, Stuffed Breakfast Biscuits

Spice up your morning with some zesty southwest flavors.

   

Recipe ideas: Easy Turkey Breakfast Burritos, Southwest Baked Egg Breakfast Cups

Eating well takes practice for most people. Set yourself up for success each day with a breakfast full of the nutrients your body needs. Start every day right with a satisfying and healthy kidney-friendly breakfast.