Holiday Tips: The 12 Days of Christmas and Your CKD Diet Provided Courtesy of RD411.com Where health care professionals go for information R-0586Contributed by Emily Workman, RD Review Date 5/10

Guess who is coming to town? Your registered dietitian (RD) is here to help you stick to your chronic kidney disease (CKD) diet and still enjoy the holidays

On the first day of Christmas, my RD said to me… When eating at someone elses house, bring a dish that you know is kidney friendly Offer to bring: Your own lower-sodium stuffing A low-phosphorus/low-potassium dessert

On the second day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Ask family and friends to support you and help you stick with your diet Let them know what foods you can and cannot have

On the third day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Serve nondairy whipped topping with desserts, instead of ice cream

On the fourth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Stay away from the salt shaker When eating at someone elses house, bring your own sodium-free seasonings, such as: Mrs. Dash ® Bensons ®

On the fifth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Do not forget your phosphorus binders, if you take them Remember to take them along when you are eating out at a restaurant or at someone elses house

On the sixth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Control the amount of salt, and sometimes phosphorus, by making your own dishes Try to create as many foods from scratch as possible

On the seventh day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Avoid ham, corned beef, self-basting turkey, sausage, and other processed, smoked, or cured meats and seafoodfoods that are high in sodium and phosphorus Choose fresh, natural meats and seafood instead, such as turkey, chicken, lamb, beef, pork, shrimp, clams, and fish

On the eighth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Choose kidney-friendly desserts, such as sugar cookies, fruit pies, spice cake, angel food cake, or sorbet Stay away from desserts made with chocolate, dried fruits, nuts, or milkhigh in phosphorus and potassium

On the ninth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Stay away from salty snacks, such as chips, olives, pretzels, and pickles Choose kidney-friendly appetizers, such as vegetable sticks with cream cheese, unsalted popcorn or pretzels, deviled eggs, and fresh fruit

On the tenth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Avoid candy with chocolate or nutshigh in phosphorus and potassium Choose hard candy, candy canes, or gumdrops instead

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Choose kidney-friendly beverages, such as apple cider, lemon-lime soda, or cranberry juice Make your own spiced eggnog with nondairy creamer (recipe available at: 298)* *DaVita, Inc. Spiced eggnog. Available at: Accessed April 13,

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my RD said to me… Limit the following foods: Avocados Baked beans Canned/packaged gravies Macaroni and cheese Nuts Pumpkin or pecan pie Fruit cake Cheese balls Sweet potatoes or yams