American Cuisine
American cuisine covers a wide range of foods, from backyard favorites such as hamburgers and coleslaw, to classics like steak and salad bar. See what to limit and what a healthier choice is.
Healthier Choices
Sauce, gravy and salad dressing on the side.
Grilled, baked or broiled fish, chicken and lean steaks
Steamed shrimp or other shellfish
Tuna, egg salad, roast beef, turkey and chicken sandwiches made with lettuce, onion, mayonnaise or mustard
Egg dishes made with egg or egg whites , without cheese or salty breakfast meats
Pasta dishes with red or white sauce on the side
Salad bar - Go for lettuce and other fresh vegetables included in your meal plan, and go light on the dressings; no cheese, olives or other pickled vegetables
Steamed or raw vegetable sides, or a baked white or sweet potato if potassium is not restricted
Rice or noodles instead of potatoes if you follow a low-potassium diet
Coleslaw or 1/2 ear corn on the cob instead of baked beans
Water, fresh-made lemonade, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, brewed tea or coffee
Choose Sparingly
Bread - You can easily consume excess sodium and calories before you've even ordered your meal.
Salads with ingredients high in sodium, phosphorus or potassium from foods such as cheese, bacon, olives, nuts or beans
Soups - high in sodium, counted as liquid if fluids are restricted (TIP: Choose salad instead or have only a few spoonful's for taste)
Fatty cuts of meat, such as prime rib, rib eye, porterhouse or T-bone
Breaded fried foods, including vegetables, appetizers and entrées
Chicken wings - Just a few buffalo wings can have over 600 calories and 500 mg of sodium
Ketchup, tomato sauce and tomato soup are high in potassium and sodium
Check Your Food's Nutrients
Look up nutrient data for thousands of foods. See the ingredient list for brand name items to find phosphate additives.
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