The holidays can get to your sweet tooth a little easier, but kidney failure patients have a special challenge to make sure they watch what they eat.

Dietician Josie Lodrigue knows what kidney failure patients face during these times.

“I notice it when I look at lab values in November, December and January," she said.

She works in Fresenius Medical Care dialysis clinics in Sarasota and Bradenton helping patients monitor and improve their diet.

The key is planning.

“If they know they’re going to someone else’s house, bring a special dish with them,” she said.

Fresenius provided our Patch readers with two recipes developed by Chef Aaron McCargo Jr., who stars on the Food Network’s Big Daddy’s House. Scroll to the bottom of this story to see the recipes.

The Cinnamon Bundles and Crunchy Lemon Herbed Chicken offer tasty, healthful alternatives for folks with kidney issues, Lodrigue said.

“This is a perfect time to try new holiday recipes,” she said.

In general, kidney dialysis patients should limit salty foods, limit dairy, and take in plenty of water and fluids.

“Instead of adding ice cream with desserts, use a non-fat whipped cream or non-dairy topping instead of ice cream,” she said.

Sugars, even brown sugar, can be used if it’s the Splenda replacement, she said.

Jell-O and gravy help count toward the fluid intake, she said.

For pies with potassium, go for fruit pies instead of pecan and pumpkin pies, she said.

Applesauce is a popular substitute for fats like butter, but there are other options she said.

“A lot of times I use fresh fruit, fresh pineapple and drain the juice,” she said.

Alcohol is tricky for some patients but know this: “Alcohol and medications definitely don’t mix,” she said. 

“If they do drink, limit it to one or two drinks,” she said. “I try to be realistic.”

This list can be a lot to digest, but “if you’re in doubt about anything, reach out. Ask a dietician,” Lodrigue said.

Apple-Stuffed Cinnamon Bundles

Ingredients

Apple Mixture

• 4 apples or 3-1/2 cups (of peeled medium diced Granny Smith, Washington Gala, and Honey Crisp apples mixed)
• ¼ cup light brown sugar*
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, firm
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter (for buttering phyllo pastry sheets)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon corn starch
• 1 package (6 sheets) phyllo dough

Combine in a small bowl:

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Garnish:

Powdered Sugar

Fresh mint

Whipped cream or Low fat whipped topping

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Preparation:

Prepare apple mixture:

In large sauté pan on medium high heat, sauté apples in butter for 6-8 minutes. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. In a small cup, mix cornstarch and vanilla extract until dissolved, stir into apple mixture and cook for additional two minutes on medium high heat. Turn off heat and set aside.

Prepare phyllo dough bundles:

• Lightly grease a large six muffin tin pan. 
• Starting with the first sheet of phyllo dough, brush each side with melted butter then dust with the powdered sugar and cinnamon mix. Continue until all 6 sheets have been buttered and dusted with sugar and cinnamon mix, stacking one sheet on top of the other as you go.

• Cut each stack into 6 squares. Line the bottom and sides of each muffin cup using one stack of squares.  Leave an over-hang.

• Fill each phyllo lined muffin cup ½ - ¾ full with the apple mixture (this will depend on how big the apples are cut), making sure each phyllo lined muffin cup has equal amounts of apple mixture.
• Fold excess phyllo dough over the apples in each muffin cup and pinch top closed to create the bundles. 
• Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. 
• Garnish with powdered sugar, whipped cream and sprig of fresh mint.

*1/4 cup Agave Nectar may be substituted as a sweetener for those with diabetes

Note:

• These are a few types of year round apples that are available are in most supermarkets and fruit stands across the country. Select one sour and two sweet apple varieties for your recipe:

o        Empire

o        Fuji

o        Golden Delicious

o        Red Delicious

o        Granny Smith

Nutrient Analysis: Serves: 6    
One Serving: 1 bundle

Calories     249               Trans Fat         0 g
            Protein           2 g

Cholesterol     31 mg 
      Carbohydrate  29 g           Potassium      102 mg

Total Fat        14 g          Phosphorus    26 mg         Saturated Fat  9 g              

Sodium          99 mg

Recipes courtesy of Fresenius Medical Care

For more information, please visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com.