School and college life with kidney disease

School and college canteens usually serve a range of foods that are suitable for a kidney diet. However, if you do find the selection limited, it may be helpful to speak to the catering staff about your special dietary needs. Planning in advance makes mealtimes easier and your dietitian will be able to help provide you with options.

Canteens

The following may be good options to try:

Salad bar choices – lower potassium options such as diced peppers, celery sticks and a little grated carrot. Add an oil based dressing and fresh, cooked meats or fish.
Make your own sandwich – canteens typically have different types of breads, and ideal fillings include cooked meats, tinned tuna, cottage or cream cheese. Add dressings such as mayonnaise, mustard or salad cream and suitable salad options such as cucumber, peppers and celery.
Pasta and rice make great carbohydrate choices, either plain or as salads, or risotto and creamy pasta bakes.
Plain roast meats served with boiled lower potassium vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, sweetcorn or cabbage. These could be served with rice, bread, or a small portion of boiled or mashed potato.

Keep snacks available

Take snacks for breaktimes or to have with lunch. Consider:

Plain flapjacks or plain cereal bars.
Whole pieces of lower potassium fruit like a pear or apple.
Unsalted or sweet popcorn or rice cakes.
Bread sticks, plain sponge, scones, iced buns, plain or jam filled biscuits.

Remembering medications

A busy school and activity schedule can make it hard to remember to take medications.

Here are some ideas to help:

There’s an app for that! Download an app that helps you to remember to take your medications.
Phone reminders – set an alarm for times that are usually convenient for taking medications.
If possible and safe to do so, keep your medications with you. This is particularly helpful for phosphate binding medications that need to be taken with meals and snacks.

Physical activity

Being physically active is important for heart health. Activity can be built into your daily routine;

Walking to school or college.
Taking stairs instead of a lift or escalator.
Planning 15 minutes as an active study break – Have fun! dance to a couple of your favourite songs, play active games, do some stretching to music or go for a short walk.
Be part of a sports team or an activity club.
Go for a walk with a friend.

Lifestyle choices

There are many ways you can make good lifestyle choices:

Make sure you get enough rest.
Try to take some physical activity each day, if easier break this up into small regular amounts.
Eating regular meals and snacks so you have energy throughout the day.
Within the limitations of your kidney diet, try to eat as wide a variety of foods as possible.

Enjoying social events when you follow dietary restrictions

School events, get-togethers with friends, and parties are fun and its important you still get to take part and enjoy these events when you are following a special diet.

Here are some ideas to help you enjoy social events whilst still taking care of your health.

Eat well at home

Try to follow the dietary advice provided by your dietitian as much as possible when you are at home. If you are eating out for your evening meal, you may be able to have a ‘treat’ if you have followed your diet well at breakfast and lunchtime.

Making good choices for the majority of the day may allow for flexibility at a party or other fun event.

Eat ahead of the party

Don’t go to a party feeling hungry! Have something to eat before you go. This helps you to limit yourself o a few treat items and its less of a problem if there isn’t much you can safely choose from.

Some people will have their meal at home and then just have a small amount of food at the party. This way they know they are managing to follow the best food choices as much as possible.

Plan ahead

For school, religious, or community activities, talk to the staff about your dietary needs.

You could even offer to make a suitable share dish for everyone at a party.

Your close friends and family care about you and will want to help you to stay healthy, so politely let them know about your dietary needs and give them some suggestions in advance.

Party and event hosts are more than willing to have foods and drinks available to meet everyone’s needs.

Make best choices

When at an event, look for foods that are suitable for a kidney diet.

The following ideas are often suitable:

Rolls, bread-based foods, muffins
Unsalted pretzels, tortilla chips or popcorn
Lower potassium vegetables and dip
Cream cheese based spreads
Lower potassium fruit
Sweet treats with minimal chocolate

Eat slowly & stagger snacks

Pick out a few party foods and eat them slowly. Spend your time talking with friends. Play games or be part of the activities at the event.

Phosphorus additives may be in manufactured foods that are usually naturally low in phosphorus. Its sometimes difficult to know, without checking labelling, but the foods above are less likely to be high in phosphorus and salt.