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Labor Day Cookout: Kidney-Friendly Recipes & Food Guide

20 foods rated from this table

What to know about the end-of-summer cookout with CKD

Labor Day closes the grilling season, and the table looks like the Fourth of July's cousin: burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw and corn on the cob. The practical pattern is the same — anchor the plate on plain grilled protein and the friendly sides, and keep the processed meats and heavy salads to controlled portions. The ratings below score the cookout staples against the daily limits.

How to finish summer without blowing the limits

Plain grilled chicken and lean beef patties are the friendly core. Potato salad and baked beans are the potassium-heavy sides to take small, while coleslaw, watermelon and corn fill the plate. Store-bought marinades and sauces are where sodium concentrates.

Ratings for labor day cookout

Kidney-friendlyOil, corn, peanut, and oliveK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlySyrups, corn, high-fructoseK 0 · P 0 · Na 2 mgKidney-friendlyOil, corn and canolaK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, corn, industrial and retail, all purpose salad or cookingK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyFat, beef tallowK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyWater, with corn syrup and/or sugar and low calorie sweetener, fruit flavoredK 0 · P 0 · Na 8 mgKidney-friendlyFat, chickenK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyShortening frying, beef tallow and cottonseedK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, industrial, soy, principal uses popcorn and flavoring vegetablesK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyShortening, industrial, soy and corn for fryingK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlySyrups, corn, lightK 1 · P 0 · Na 62 mgKidney-friendlySoup, beef broth, cubed, prepared with waterK 6 · P 3 · Na 260 mgKidney-friendlyBeverages, Energy Drink with carbonated water and high fructose corn syrupK 10 · P 0 · Na 48 mgKidney-friendlyCornstarchK 3 · P 13 · Na 9 mgKidney-friendlySoup, chicken noodle, dry, mix, prepared with waterK 13 · P 12 · Na 229 mgKidney-friendlyCranberry juice cocktail, bottled, low calorie, with calcium, saccharin and corn sweetenerK 25 · P 1 · Na 3 mgKidney-friendlySoup, beef broth, less/reduced sodium, ready to serveK 20 · P 9 · Na 225 mgKidney-friendlyBeef, variety meats and by-products, suet, rawK 16 · P 15 · Na 7 mgKidney-friendlySoup, SWANSON, beef broth, lower sodiumK 23 · P 10 · Na 180 mgKidney-friendlyCereals, corn grits, yellow, regular and quick, enriched, cooked with water, without saltK 22 · P 14 · Na 2 mg

Practical tips

Related guides

Condiments & Oils food ratingsBeverages food ratingsSnacks & Sweets food ratingsCKD diet guideLow potassium dietLow sodium dietDialysis dietHow we rate foods

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat burgers at a Labor Day cookout with CKD?

Plain beef patties score moderate-to-friendly in the database; the sodium usually comes from the seasoning, the bun and the condiments. A plain patty with lettuce and tomato, no added salt, is a workable cookout choice.

Is potato salad okay for kidney disease?

Potato salad is higher-risk for potassium because potatoes themselves are potassium-dense. A small scoop as a side is manageable; a full plate pushes the day's potassium quickly.

What should I bring to a cookout as someone with CKD?

The friendly list on this page — watermelon, coleslaw, corn on the cob and plain grilled chicken — makes a safe dish to contribute, so there is always at least one item on the table you can fill up on.