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Memorial Day Cookout: Kidney-Friendly Recipes & Food Guide

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What to know about the first cookout of summer with CKD

Memorial Day opens cookout season: burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw and watermelon. The pattern is the same as any cookout — plain grilled protein and the friendly sides fill the plate, while processed meats and heavy salads stay in controlled portions. The ratings below score the staples against the daily limits.

How to handle the holiday spread

Plain grilled chicken and beef patties are the friendly core. Watermelon and coleslaw are the fillers, while hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans are the items to take small.

Ratings for memorial 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

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Frequently asked questions

Are burgers okay at a Memorial Day cookout with CKD?

Plain beef patties rate moderate-to-friendly in the database. The sodium usually comes from the seasoning and condiments, so a plain patty with lettuce and tomato fits the day.

Is potato salad a problem for kidney disease?

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

What should I bring to a Memorial Day cookout with CKD?

The friendly list below — watermelon, coleslaw, corn and plain grilled chicken — makes a safe dish to contribute, so there is always something on the table you can fill up on.