Merry from the Enjoying festive food at renal dietitians and best wishes for Christmas the New Year!

Contact details:

Renal dietitians: 01865 225061

Remember what’s important for you Top Tip:

During all the merriment try to remember what it is Do you have a favourite Christmas or dessert - you need to be careful about. Things to consider just ask your dietitian whether it’s suitable or if include: they can suggest an alternative recipe!!

Fluid balance (salt and fluid) High blood pressure (salt and fluid) Phosphate Potassium Overweight (energy and portion sizes)

The following are some suggestions of foods that should be suitable for everyone, but if in doubt ask your dietitian.

 Jelly babies, marshmallows, fruit gums, The main meal boiled sweets, mints, plain Turkish Delight o All unprocessed meats are fine Alcohol and other beverages:  Turkey, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, goose, duck o Low potassium vegetables (boiled) Remember your fluid allowance: o Roast potatoes (par-boiled before )  Choose spirits rather than /lager or wine o (with just a pinch of salt  Fill your glass with reusable plastic ice cubes added to the )  Don’t have a drink with your main meal o is fine

o Apple sauce is also suitable o Cider and lager are high in potassium o Home-made bread sauce and are much o Red wine (and ) are higher in better alternatives to packets/granules (see potassium than white wine recipe booklet). o Port, sherry, spirits and liqueurs are low in

potassium Top Tips:  Homemade gravy, cranberry or apple sauce and can be made the week before and

Soft drinks frozen. Take out to defrost in the fridge on the morning of . o Orange juice is high in potassium, a lower  batter also likes to sit for a alternative is cranberry juice or squashes while so this can be done first thing on o Fizzy drinks and mixers are fine. Take care Christmas morning and left in the fridge until with cola drinks which are higher in phosphate. needed. Desserts Drinks and nibbles

o , Nuts: Chestnuts are lower in potassium and lower in and mince pies: lower potassium recipes phosphate than other nuts. available or have sponge instead.  Remember that if you follow a low potassium Cheese: cheese on crackers is a suitable diet mince pies, Christmas pudding and alternative to other cheeses popular at Christmas. Christmas cake should all be exchanged for Try spreading it on different low-salt crackers or one of your usual fruits and vegetables. blinis. o or rum is suitable (brandy sauce is higher in potassium and phosphate because Plain breadsticks are low in salt and great for of the milk). dipping in our dips (see recipes) or houmous (as long o Double or clotted cream can also be eaten, but as this is eaten in moderation). in moderation. o Sorbet is a good alternative to , but Unsalted popcorn. remember to watch your fluid intake. o Other suitable desserts include: lemon Tortilla chips or corn snacks in moderation (watch pie, shortbread, , , the salt!). jam roly poly, , lemon (see recipe booklet). Satsumas/clementines/tangerines: suggest one a day if you run a high potassium.

Sweets: the following sweets are suitable for most

people unless you are diabetic.