Maintaining a kidney diet can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding tasty shrimp recipes. However, with the right ingredients and creative cooking methods, you can still enjoy the renal diet and a variety of delicious shrimp recipes while meeting the nutritional needs of your specific condition.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some mouthwatering shrimp recipes that are flavorful and suitable for kidney patients.
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Is Shrimp Healthy for the Kidneys and the Heart?
Shrimp is an easy way to get high quality protein into your renal diet. Although, it’s higher in cholesterol, the saturated fat content is low. Therefore, this makes it a great option when choosing kidney-friendly foods for your renal diet.
Studies show that higher consumption of saturated fat and trans fat contribute more to blood cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol.
Preparation is also consideration when determining how shrimp fits into a renal and heart healthy diet.
If shrimp is prepared with a lot of butter or deep fried in oil, this contributes to how much saturated fat and trans fat it provides.
Baking, grilling or boiling shrimp without adding higher saturated fats keeps shrimp low in unhealthy, less beneficial fat.
Shrimp is a great source of protein for dialysis patients.
Depending on the stage of kidney failure, shrimp can also fit into the diet of those following a non-dialysis nutrition plan.
For those in chronic kidney disease stage 1-4, it’s important to minimize animal proteins. A 2 oz portion size of shrimp would be a reasonable for those in earlier stages of chronic kidney disease.
Shrimp Nutrition Facts
A 3 oz portion of shrimp offers:
- 84 calories
- 20 grams of protein
- 0 grams of carbohydrate
- 0 grams of total and saturated fat
- 94 mg of sodium
- 220 mg potassium
- 120 mg phosphorus
- 161 mg cholesterol
- 1.4 mg zinc
- 0.4 mg iron
This seafood delight fits well into a renal diet. It’s a low potassium, low sodium, and low phosphorus food.
Renal Diet Shrimp Recipes
These 12 renal diet shrimp recipes are perfect for any CKD stage and appropriate while following a kidney-friendly diet.
- Shrimp and Grits from the American Kidney Fund Kidney Kitchen Recipes
- Chipotle Shrimp Tacos from the National Kidney Foundation
- Shrimp Apple Salad by the Mayo Clinic
- Chilled Veggie and Shrimp Noodle Salad from Fresenius Kidney Care
- Blackened Shrimp Pineapple Salad by Davita is a kidney-friendly recipe for those in early stage kidney disease
- Everything But The Salt Sheet Pan Shrimp by Dash
- Less Sodium Shrimp Scampi by Old Bay
- Vietnamese-Style Lettuce Wraps by American Heart Association
- Louisiana BBQ Shrimp from Northwest Kidney Centers
10. Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of fresh medium shrimp
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Peel and devein shrimp. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add shrimp to the large skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat until they turn pink and opaque.
- Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Drizzle low-sodium soy sauce over the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir well to combine and cook for another minute.
- Remove from heat and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
11. Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked shrimp, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the shrimp and avocado mixture, and gently toss shrimp until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve immediately as a refreshing salad or chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.
12. Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced or 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
- yellow bell peppers
- sweet red bell peppers
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the marinade.
- Cut the bell peppers into bite size pieces.
- Thread shrimp, peppers, and lemon slices onto skewers, alternating between them.
- Brush the shrimp skewers with the prepared marinade, making sure to coat them evenly.
- Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp are pink and lightly charred.
- Remove from the grill and serve hot with your favorite side dishes.
Following a renal diet doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor and enjoyment in your meals. These renal diet shrimp recipes are not only delicious but also kidney-friendly, making them perfect additions to your weekly recipes. Whether you prefer stir-fry, salad, or grilled dishes, there are plenty of options to satisfy your taste buds while adhering to your dietary needs. So, why not give these renal diet shrimp recipes a try and indulge in a flavorful dining experience that supports your kidney health?
The kidney-friendly eating tips do not take the place of the medical advice you receive from your doctor or health professional taking care of your specific condition and specific meal plan.