How to PartyMeatless Meals for Working PeopleVegan Menu for People With DiabetesVegan Meals for One or TwoConveniently VeganVRG > Vegetarian Journal > 2009 Issue 4 > Menu Selection for Vegan Renal PatientsSubscribe to the Vegetarian JournalFoodservice UpdateHealthy Tips and Recipes for Institutions from The Vegetarian Resource GroupMenu Selectionfor Vegan Renal PatientsBy Chef Nancy Berkoff, RD, EdDA proper renal diet is extremely important for patients with chronic kidney failure. Manyhealth care professionals have shown that acarefully planned vegetarian diet is adequate in managingchronic kidney failure.It is vital that a renal patient's food and fluid intakebe overseen by a nephrologist and a registered dietitianfamiliar with vegan diets. These professionals can helpmanage kidney disease with appropriate vegan foodand fluid choices. The information in this article is notdesigned to replace consultation with medical doctorsand registered dietitians. This article provides generalguidelines and information about vegan diets that canbe used in menu planning for people with chronic kidneydisease, stage 2 or 3, in conjunction with consultationwith health care professionals who treat peoplewith kidney disease.In kidney disease, nutrition management focuseson decreasing waste products built up from digestedfoods. The goals for planning a vegan renal diet, asfor any other renal diet, are to:Obtain the appropriate amount of protein to meetprotein needs while minimizing waste productsin the bloodMaintain sodium, potassium, and phosphorusbalanceAvoid excessive fluid intake to prevent overloadEnsure adequate nutritionThe information provided in this article is meant asa very general guideline for patients that have at least40-50 percent normal kidney function (chronic kidney disease, stage 2 or 3) and who are not currently receivingdialysis. For patients with lower kidney functionor who are receiving dialysis, very individual diet planningmust be done. All renal patients need to be closelymonitored, with regular blood and urine testing.Vegan ProteinRenal patients need to limit the amount of proteinin their daily diets. For this reason, the protein in thediet needs to be high-quality protein. Very generally,depending on individual ability and needs, 0.8 gramof protein per kilogram of body weight is recommendedper day. This translates to approximately 2 ounces ofpure protein per day for a 140-pound person.High-quality vegan protein for renal patients includestofu, peanut butter (no more than two TablespoonsVegan Foods That Provide Approximately7 Grams of Protein Per ServingProtein SourceServing SizeSeitan (wheat gluten)Beans, dried/cookedTofu, firmTofu, regularTempehNut Butters1 oz.12 cup1/3 cup23 cup14 cup2 Tablespoonsper day), tempeh, and beans. Soy meats, such as texturedvegetable protein (TVP) or vegan ground round,are high in quality protein but are also high in sodium,phosphorous, and potassium, which need to be limited.Soy protein has been found to assist in minimizingsome complications from kidney disease. Patients shouldhave at least one serving of soy a day, such as soymilk,tofu, or tempeh. Again, it is a balancing act for renalmenus - a small amount of soy each day may be beneficial,but too much can be harmful.Here are some tips for including soy products onyour vegan renal menu:Mash a few Tablespoons of regular tofu withcroutons and seasonings to 'extend' the tofu anddecrease the amount of protein served.Add small chunks of regular tofu-rather thananimal protein-to soups, stews, and stir-fries.Use silken tofu instead of vegan mayonnaise insalad dressings, sandwich fillings, and sauces.Crumble