Kidney friendly festive favourites

Enjoy a wide range of delicious festive meals, puddings and cakes to help you celebrate Christmas, safe in the knowledge that all Kidney Kitchen recipes are carefully analysed and approved by kidney dietitians.

We tend to celebrate Christmas with an abundance of rich, energy dense food and drink (particularly alcohol, puddings and snacks). This is problematic for everyone, whether you have CKD or not, as these foods are often high in sugar, salt, and less healthy fats (saturated fat). Everyone should be able to enjoy their food at this special time of year, but being mindful of portion sizes is good advice for everyone.

For some people living with CKD, Christmas food and drink can pose an additional challenge. This is because some festive favourites are also high in potassium, phosphate and salt, particularly chocolate, dried fruits, crisps and other savoury snacks.

Plus, if you have been advised to limit fluid, social gatherings can be difficult as the number (and size) of drinks can soon add up, and before you know it you've had your quota for the day in a very short time.

  • Plan ahead by letting your host know about your individual dietary needs.
  • Avoid going to events when you are hungry to avoid overeating.
  • Ease your anxiety about turning down foods and drinks that people have gone to the effort to prepare by being mindful of portion sizes.
  • Take a kidney-friendly snack and drink with you to help you relax with friends and family.

Each of our Festive Favourites comes with detailed and easy-to-understand ‘Food facts’ but we know that everyone living with CKD will have slightly different diet requirements and so we recommend that you speak to your kidney dietitian for more personalised advice.

Kidney Kitchen Festive Favourites menu

  • Christmas turkey crown with all the trimmings

    We have adapted the traditional recipe with lots of extra flavour in the vegetables and kept it low potassium, low phosphate and low salt. This leaves an allowance for a festive treat during the day.

  • Christmas cake

    This Christmas cake recipe contains tinned prunes in place of the dried fruit to reduce the potassium content, making it suitable for those on a low potassium diet.

  • Traditional mince pies

    This is a simple recipe to make homemade mincemeat for traditional mince pies. Using apple and less dried fruit makes this a great festive treat that is low in potassium, phosphate and salt.

  • Gingerbread Christmas log

    A twist on the traditional yule log, this version is made without chocolate or dried fruit, making it a great low potassium festive indulgence suitable for everyone. With a little effort, this is a festive showstopper!

  • Steamed Christmas pudding

    This delicious version of a Christmas pudding uses less fruit than a traditional recipe but still has all the festive flavour. It's low potassium and is an ideal treat for the season.

  • Christmas pudding cheesecake

    This is a tasty, alternative festive dessert, combining all the flavours of Christmas pudding with a creamy cheesecake. By using a smaller amount of Christmas pudding between 10 servings, this indulgent treat is lower in potassium than a traditional Christmas pudding.

  • Nut and aubergine roast

    This low potassium, low phosphate and low salt recipe makes eight portions of nut roast and enough side vegetables for four people.

  • Brie and cranberry parcels

    These tasty filo pastry parcels make a sophisticated treat. Filled with creamy Brie, sweet cranberry and a walnut crunch.

  • Sausage Christmas tree

    This twist on a sausage roll makes for a fun and festive savoury showstopper in the shape of a Christmas tree.

  • Turkey curry

    A filling, mildly spicy dish with lots of flavour that is high in protein, low in potassium, phosphate and salt. A perfect dish if you are receiving dialysis.