Chocolate covered nuts may not be on the Valentine’s Day menu for sweethearts with chronic kidney disease this February 14th, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the day with special treats.  A few guidelines can help you treat yourself or your sweetie and still stay within the sodium, potassium and phosphorus targets for a renal diet.

• Make dinner reservations!  A long wait and hunger contributes to less control over food choices.
• Study the menu online before going to the restaurant.
• Request no added salt to food and sauces or gravies on the side if possible.
• Bring your binders with you and take them during the meal.
• Share an entrée or dessert to help stay within your diet goals or take a portion home.
• Enjoy the ambiance and special meal instead of focusing on food too much.
• If you are on limited liquids, choose your favorite beverage and stick to one small portion.

Make a special homemade meal together with a friend or sweetheart. You can control the ingredients, keep it kidney-friendly and create a romantic mood with flowers, favorite music and candles. Try some of my favorite DaVita.com brunch and dinner recipes from these menus:

Cherry Coffee Cake Hazelnut Cinnamon Coffee

508 calories, 15 g protein, 46 g carbohydrate, 27 g fat, 208 mg sodium, 518 mg potassium, 226 mg phosphorus, 116 mg calcium, 3.8 g fiber;  Renal and Renal Diabetic Food Choices: 1½ meat, ½ vegetable, low potassium, 1 starch, 1½ fruit, low potassium, 3 fat, ½ high calorie, Carbohydrate Choices: 3

Red Wine Vinaigrette Asparagus Sesame Vermicelli Cupid’s Cherry Cheesecake

784 calories,  37 g protein*, 67 g carbohydrate, 40 g fat, 141 mg cholesterol, 621 mg sodium, 642 mg potassium, 350 mg phosphorus, 110 mg calcium, 4.4 g fiber;  Renal and Renal Diabetic Food Choices:  3-1/2 meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, medium potassium, 5 fat, 1 high calorie; Carbohydrate Choices:  4-1/2

Spicy Lemon Pasta Cherry Sweetheart Dessert

700 calories,  32 g protein*, 63 g carbohydrate, 25 g fat, 82 mg cholesterol, 558 mg sodium, 896 mg potassium, 397 mg phosphorus, 130 mg calcium, 6.9 g fiber; Renal and Renal Diabetic Food Choices:  3 meat, 1 starch, 2 ½ vegetables, medium and low potassium, 1 fruit, low potassium, 3-1/2 fat, 1 high calorie; Carbohydrate Choices:  4

Try making one of these delicious Valentine treats from the low sodium, low potassium and low phosphorus recipe collection on DaVita.com.  If you have diabetes, stick with the lower sugar choices and watch your portions to keep carbs in check.

Sugarless Heart Cookies Cheese Tarts Cherry Cream Cheese Mini-Tarts Fabulous Hot Cocoa Easy Low Phosphorus Fudge Sweet Cherry Cream Pie Stuffed Strawberries