“Convenient snacks can be higher in refined carbohydrates with excess sugar and sodium,” says Edith Yang, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in kidney disease and diabetes in Monrovia, California. And classic low-carb snacks like beef jerky may have more protein and sodium than you should eat.
The healthiest snacks offer some complex carbohydrates to supply you with energy, mixed with some protein, healthy fats, or fiber to slow your blood sugar response, says Yang. Keeping your blood sugar on target is a key to maintaining kidney health when you have diabetes. In addition, she advises, look for snacks that have 200 milligrams (mg) or less of sodium, as too much salt stresses the kidneys.
Although finding snacks that fit the bill may be a challenge, “there are many different ways to put together something easy and quick,” Yang says. And it’s important to note that people with a more advanced stage of kidney disease, including those on dialysis, may have additional dietary recommendations that they need to juggle, such as a warning about consuming too much potassium and phosphorus. The recommendations below may not work for everyone, and it’s critical for anyone with CKD to ask their doctor or dietitian for an individualized eating plan.
Roasted Legumes
This trendy snack is typically chickpeas, fava beans, or soybeans that have been cooked without oil. They have a crispy texture, come in a variety of flavors, and contain a diabetes-friendly mix of plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
“It’s a shelf-stable source of these nutrients, so it’s something you can keep in your desk, the car, or your bag and take out when you need it,” says Yang.
Look for brands that have 200 mg or less of sodium to help protect your kidneys, says Yang.
Popcorn
It may be healthier for those with diabetes to balance it with a small handful of almonds or peanuts for protein and more fiber. If you have a sweet tooth, toss in a few chocolate chips (choose a small amount to limit added sugar) or dried fruit for a nice sweet-salty combo that will help tide you over until your next meal.
Hummus and Veggies
Hummus and veggies is a winning combination that Yang recommends for a quick snack.
It’s also easier than ever to find individual snack packs of both raw cut vegetables and hummus dips, so aside from taking both out of the fridge and putting it into a bag (maybe with an ice pack if you’re going to eat it later), there’s no prep required. You can even find little snack trays that pair hummus with crunchy veggies.
A Nut, Dried Fruit, and Cheese Snack
This snack combo is good for people with diabetic kidney disease because it is jam-packed with nutrients and won’t spike your blood sugar. A cheese stick, plus a half ounce of unsalted nuts (pistachios, cashews, almonds, walnuts), and a tablespoon of dried fruit for sweetness (such as raisins or cherries) creates a complete snack, with a nice balance of complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats.
“You can make a mini cheese plate to take on-the-go, says Allison Beach, RDN, a certified specialist in renal nutrition in Carrollton, TX.
If you’re not able to make a portable snack, there are ready-to-eat versions of this at the grocery store, too. Beach suggests choosing the products that have cheese, nuts (non honey roasted), and dried fruit, rather than those that have chocolate or crackers, for a blood-sugar balancing snack that limits added sugar and sodium.
Apple slices and nut or seed butter
Sliced apples are available in single-serve bags at many grocery stores (in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle), and many brands of nut butter come in individual, squeezable packets.
Sugar-Free Snack Bars
You’ve got to be careful in the snack and energy bar section, as these highly-processed foods can have more sugar or protein than you should eat.
When considering snack bars, be sure to read the nutrition facts labels, and think about following Beach’s 10-and-3 rule. “Look for something that has less than 10 grams of added sugar and at least three grams of fiber,” she says. The best choices will rely on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for flavor.
And if you have kidney disease, you should be suspicious of the trend that tries to pack as much protein as possible into these energy bars. “Many protein bars may not be a good option,” says Beach.
Yogurt Drinks
As always, please stay away from options with more than a little bit of added sugar . Luckily, yogurt brands love to target health-conscious customers with zero-sugar options sweetened with trendy alternatives like monkfruit and allulose.
The Takeaway
- People with diabetic kidney disease need snacks that balance blood sugar without overloading the kidneys. This means choices with low added sugar and sodium, plus moderate amounts of protein to avoid kidney strain.
- Advanced kidney disease may bring additional restrictions, such as a limit on how much phosphorus and potassium you can eat.
- Smart grab-and-go snack choices include dry-roasted legumes, popcorn, hummus and veggies, nuts and cheese, yogurt, and protein bars.
- Aim for snacks with under 10 grams of added sugar, at least three grams of fiber, and lower sodium to support blood sugar management and kidney health.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: The Basics of Chronic Kidney Disease Self-Care
- Mayo Clinic: Sodium: How to Tame Your Salt Habit
- National Institutes of Health: Diabetic Kidney Disease
- American Diabetes Association: Snack Smart to Stay Energized
- National Kidney Foundation: Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES
Medical Reviewer
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.
Jessica Migala
Author
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).