Diet & Nutrition Kidney Diet Tips All About Nut Butters

All About Nut Butters

What food could you eat every day for the rest of your life? Some might say pizza, while others may say cheeseburgers. Mine is peanut butter. Not peanut butter and jelly, just plain peanut butter.

They are often classified as “nuts;” however, peanuts are part of the legume family. Creamy peanut butter is made by blending peanuts into a smooth consistency using added water and sometimes additional oil and salt. When I was growing up, we had two choices: creamy or chunky. My mom introduced us to “all natural” peanut butter where the oil separated at the top. Now supermarkets carry a wide variety of nut and seed butters including almond, cashew, hazelnut, walnut, sunflower seed and soy butter.

Nut Butters and the Kidney Diet

If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end stage kidney disease (ESKD), you may wonder if nut butters fit into a kidney-friendly diet. General guidelines or recommended daily allowances for key essential minerals in a kidney-friendly diet are as follows. As always, check with your dietitian for your personal nutritional requirements, because every person has different needs.

Potassium2-3 grams/ day
Sodium   2-3 grams/ day
Phosphorous800 – 1200 mg
Calcium 1200 – 2000 mg

Key Minerals, Calories and Protein of Common Nut and Seed Butters

Nutrients per 2 TBLS servingAlmond Butter (no salt added)Cashew butterpeanut butter (reduced sodium)Hazelnut Butter*Soy Butter*sunflower seed butter (no added salt)
Sodium2 mg4 mg64 mg0 mg100 mg0 mg
Potassium240 mg174 mg240 mg250 mg350 mg184 mg
Phosphorus162 mg146 mg102 mgNo data163 mg214 mg
Calcium112 mg14 mg14 mg40 mg40 mg20 mg
Calories196188188210200198
Protein6 grams6 grams8 grams10 grams8 grams6 grams
*Nutrition information was taken from leading brands for these product and are examples only. Be sure to check nutrition labels and ingredient lists, brand to brand nutrition information may vary.

Nutrient analysis taken from DaVita.com and ESHA Food Processor®.

Enjoy Nut Butters Mindfully

Do nut and seed butters fit into a kidney-friendly diet? Yes, in moderation. Nut and seed butters can satisfy cravings for creamy textures and rich flavors, while adding a feeling of fullness from healthy fats and essential nutrients. Be mindful of portion size when it comes to any nut or seed butter. Talk to your dietitian for questions or tips on adding nut butter to your kidney-friendly diet.

REFERENCES:

ESHA Food Processor® Program

DaVita.com

Additional Kidney Diet Resources


This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.


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