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Community Corner

Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. Shares Kidney-Friendly Recipes & Tips for Summer BBQ Season

Summer is finally here, which means BBQs and picnics are in full swing. While most of us can enjoy whatever summer menus have to offer, many traditional barbecue dishes are off limits for the more than 450,000 Americans with kidney failure who depend on dialysis – a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood and removes extra fluids.

 

That is why Celebrity Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr., star of Food Network’s “Big Daddy’s House,” has partnered with Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) to create of a host of new kidney-friendly recipes that are bold, flavorful and dialysis-approved for the next summer gathering. Developed in collaboration with FMCNA dietitians, his Chilled Veggie and Shrimp Noodle Salad, Smoky Salmon Dip, and Adobo Marinated Tilapia Tapas are all a great source of protein and veggies that can round out a meal with fresh lean meats.

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Summer Food Tips for Dialysis Patients

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1. Read fish and shrimp ingredient labels carefully to avoid additives with “phos” in the name, such as phosphate, polyphosphate or phosphoric acid, which can lead to weaker bones and hardening of the arteries.

2. Leave the husks on to cook fresh corn-on-the-cob directly on a hot grill. Turn occasionally for 15-20 minutes. Cool for five minutes, then protect hands with a towel while removing the charred husks and silk.

3. For easy prep and rich flavor, try grilling other low-potassium vegetables whole. Red bell peppers, pearl onions, mushrooms, small summer squashes and cabbage wedges can go straight to the grill.

4. For best results, brush the grill to remove food debris and oil lightly before cooking to prevent sticking. If not marinating, pat dry fish, chicken and other proteins and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

5. Serve foods buffet-style or on separate plates to reduce temptations at the table to over-consume – especially foods containing sodium, phosphorus or potassium.

For a complete list of Chef McCargo’s dialysis-friendly recipes, as well as fitness tips, videos and other information about staying active and maintaining a healthy diet on dialysis, visit FMCNA’s Healthy Lifestyles website (www.ultracare-dialysis.com). To find a dialysis facility near you, call toll free at 1-888-325-5175.

 

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