Summer is in full swing! The sunny days and warm nights make this time of year perfect for outdoor activities, picnics, barbeques and cookouts. Knowing some great swaps to keep the foods at your picnic or gathering kidney-friendly is a must.

Whether you’re packing a cooler for a picnic or grilling in your backyard, we have a recipe for you! Remember to eat the rainbow and add flavorful and colorful fruits and vegetables to your plate in addition to grains and lean proteins.

Pack a Picnic

Packing a cooler for a picnic? Don’t forget to add ice, ice packs, or frozen water bottles to keep your food out of the temperature danger zone (40-140° F) to avoid bacteria growth.

For a summer spin on a traditional chicken salad try Hawaiian Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Get your protein from eggs with Deviled Eggs.

Try a Tuna Veggie Salad Lettuce Wrap.

Fire up the Grill

Try one of these 16 Healthy Grilling Recipes. This collection or grilling recipes is sure give you some great ideas.

Sides 

Be mindful when choosing your sides! Toss out the corn chips, potato chips and processed snacks that may cause you trouble with sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Instead, try one of the recipes below. Not only will replacing processed snacks with fruit and vegetables help you avoid excess sodium and phosphorus, but it will also pack more vitamins, minerals, and fiber!

Cranberry Dip with Fresh Fruit Easy Summer Fruit Dip Fresh Tofu Spring Rolls

Salads

Are you a potato lover looking forward to adding potato salad to your picnic plate? Check out the Kidney Diet Tips Blog post on how to lower the potassium content of potatoes. Then click here for a summer Picnic Potato Salad recipe.

Color your plate and pack nutrients with this Kale Salad Slaw.

Try a spin on a traditional side with this Apple Cranberry Slaw with Celery Seed Dressing.

Beverages

With the climbing temperature, managing thirst and staying cool without over consuming fluid is challenging. Sip slowly on one of these refreshing beverages.

Cucumber-Lemon Flavored Water Pineapple-Mint Flavored Water Watermelon Agua Fresca

Dessert

Have fruit for dessert! Cool off with one of these luscious low potassium frozen fruit treats.

Do you need more ideas and recipes to keep you sizzlin’ all summer long? Click the link below for downloadable DaVita cookbooks. Top picks for the summer include the recent Summer Salads cookbook and last year’s Summer Picnic cookbook.