This Friday, July 4th is a time for all Americans to celebrate freedom and independence. Parades, picnics and backyard barbecues are a few favorite ways to spend the day. By planning ahead and following a few guidelines, people with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis can join the holiday celebrations and still maintain control of their diets.

DaVita.com offers a great list of recipes tagged for your Independence Day event. Try the Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken or Lisa’s Awesome Burgers for an entrée. Wash it down with Minted Lemonade or Watermelon Summer Cooler and enjoy Red, White and Blue Pie for dessert. Check out the variety of salad and pasta recipes for additional side dishes.

For a list of healthy tips for fun social events, see DaVita Dietitian Maria’s article “Surviving summer socials on the dialysis diet”.

Keeping sodium, fluid, potassium and phosphorus intake within reason is the key to enjoying July 4th and feeling your best by the end of the red, white and blue holiday weekend.