The Renal Vegetarian Challenge
July 2011
What are the different types of vegetarian diets?
Vegan
Consumes only plant products
Lactovegetarian
Consumes plant products & dairy products
Lactoovovegetarian
Consumes plant products, dairy products and eggs
Can a vegetarian diet be part of a renal diet?
The answer is yes.
The patient with kidney disease who is a vegan has a real challenge to eat
enough protein without adding too much phosphorus and potassium from the
protein source.
You will need to eat more tofu and fewer seeds, legumes and nuts to meet
your daily protein needs.
You may also need to increase the binders at mealtimes when eating the
vegetarian foods.
To be used in conjunction with advice from a Registered Dietitian.
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The Renal Vegetarian Challenge
July 2011
What are the nutritional differences between vegetarian foods and nonvegetarian foods?
Food
1 oz meat, chicken or fish
Nutritional content
7 g protein
110 mg potassium
70 mg phosphorus
10 g protein
150 mg potassium
120 mg phosphorus
7 g protein
305 mg potassium
120 mg phosphorus
6 g protein
207 mg potassium
108 mg phosphorus
6 g protein
376 mg potassium
132 mg phosphorus
7 g protein
355 mg potassium
125 mg phosphorus
6 g protein
244 mg potassium
118 mg phosphorus
6 g protein
478 mg potassium
105 mg phosphorus
7 g protein
208 mg potassium
100 mg phosphorus
8 g protein
355 mg potassium
97 mg phosphorus
7 g protein
400 mg potassium
137 mg phosphorus
*Tofu (1/4 cup)- firm type
(1/2 cup)- regular/silken type
Black Beans (1/2 cup)
Chick Peas (1/2 cup)
Baked Beans (1/2 cup)
Kidney Beans (1/2 cup)
Lentils (1/3 cup)
Lima Beans (1/2 cup)
Mung Beans (1/2 cup)
Peas, split (1/2 cup)
Pinto Beans (1/2 cup)
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The Renal Vegetarian Challenge
July 2011
What are the differences between the types of tofu?
Firm/Extra-firm tofu is drier than other types and crumbles well. It can be
grilled, baked or fried.
Regular tofu is much softer than the firm/extra firm tofu and can be used to
make patties or meatloaf.
Mori-Nu tofu is a silken tofu and has a very smooth texture. It can be used in
puddings or other creamy products.
The firm and extra firm tofu has more potassium and phosphorus than does
the regular silken types.
Recipes with Tofu
Mock Egg Salad
8 oz. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
1 Tbsp honey
2 tsp vinegar
½ tsp tumeric
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp celery seed
1/8 tsp pepper
¼ cup minced celery
¼ cup minced green pepper
Drain tofu. Crumble tofu in a bowl. Combine the next 7 ingredients in a dish
and pour over tofu. Mash together well. Add celery and green pepper. Mix
well. For flavors to blend, chill for 2 hours.
Nutrient content (per ½ cup serving)- 96 calories, 12 g carbohydrate, 7 g
protein, 285 mg potassium, 99 mg phosphorus
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The Renal Vegetarian Challenge
July 2011
Maple Tofu Pudding
Soft tofu makes the best puddings. The pudding is rich and creamy and very
satisfying. This recipe makes 4 servings.
12-14 ounces (approximately 1 ½ cup) soft tofu
¼ cup corn oil
1/3 cup pancake syrup (use artificial maple flavor as real maple syrup has
more potassium)
¼ tsp vanilla extract
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Drain the tofu and cut it into small pieces.
Place the pieces in a blender.
Add the oil, syrup and vanilla. Put the lid on the blender.
Process the mixture for a minute or two, or until the pudding is quite
smooth.
If necessary, turn off the blender, and scrape down the sides of the
blender jar.
Then put the lid back on and process some more.
When the mixture is smooth, put it in 4 small, reusable, half-cup
containers.
Chill until serving time, or serve right away if desired.
Nutrient content: 6 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 150 mg potassium, 120 mg
phosphorus
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The Renal Vegetarian Challenge
July 2011
Tofu Rice Burrito (Recipe makes one burrito)
1 soft tortilla shell
1/2 cup raw tofu cubes
¼ cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp salsa
2/3 cup cooked white rice
¼ cup chopped green pepper
1 Tbsp cream cheese
Stir fry or microwave tofu with onion and green pepper until softened. Add cream cheese
to tofu and vegetable mix until mixed well. Add salsa and rice; mix well. Spoon mixture
in tortilla shell and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
1 burrito: 10.5 g protein, 41 g carbohydrate, 261 mg potassium, 156 mg phosphorus
Supplements for adding protein
Beneprotein:
1 scoop (1 ½ Tbsp) powder provides- 6 g of protein (Whey protein isolate
[Milk])
35 mg potassium
15 mg phosphorus
NovaSource Renal: (per 100 mL) - 7.4 g protein (milk protein concentrate)
81 mg potassium
65 mg phosphorus
*Ensure Plus: (per 100 mL) – 5.7 g protein (milk protein concentrate)
195 mg potassium
105 mg phosphorus
*Boost: (per 100 mL) - 4.3 g protein (milk protein)
210 mg potassium
120 mg phosphorus
* Ensure plus and Boost are higher in potassium and phosphorus
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