3 Grilling Rules Plus a Recipe to Celebrate Summer

Dialysis: 3 Grilling Rules + Recipe to Celebrate Summer

You hungry for summer?

When warmer weather arrives, people spend more time outside, at the pool, lake, park, or backyard. It’s also the perfect time to fire up the grill. When you’re on dialysis, the typical barbecue-foods just aren’t going to work because you need to limit sodium, potassium and phosphorus

But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. You just need to make a few changes to your barbecue plans.

On dialysis? Follow these 3 grilling rules to celebrate summer with a kidney-friendly barbecue.

1. Grill low-potassium fruits and vegetables

No...you don’t have to throw steaks and burgers on every time you fire up the grill. 

• Fruits. Try grilling sliced apples, pears, or pineapple. 
• Vegetables. Asparagus, peppers, and squash work great for grilling.

2. Skip the cheese, please

Ever layer a burger with cheese? That doesn’t fly when you’re on dialysis. Cheese is high in sodium, something you need to avoid or limit.

3. Dress up your BBQ with antioxidant-rich foods

Here’s another way you can enjoy the grilling season and keep your health in check. 

Eat more antioxidant-rich foods. Research shows this can help reduce inflammation linked to kidney disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and heart disease.

Add some of these foods to your BBQ and picnic menu: Berries, cherries, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, onions, and red peppers.

Recipe: Grilled Vegetables

Check out this easy-to-make recipe for Grilled Vegetables from the National Kidney Foundation:

Ingredients

• 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
• 2 heads of fennel, sliced
• 8 button mushrooms, quartered
• 4 Roma tomatoes, cubed
• 1 red onion, cut in half & sliced
• 2 T fresh basil leaves, shredded
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 1tsp fresh oregano

Directions

1. Heat grill to 400° F.
2. Cut and prep all the vegetables for grilling.
3. Toss with thyme and oregano
4. Place vegetables on grilling rack or in a grilling basket.

Cook until golden brown, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes.

What should you do if grilling sounds like too much of a chore?

It’s easy. Take a look at the Dialysis-Friendly menu, pick your favorite meals made from fresh ingredients, and we’ll do the rest.