3 Lower Sodium BBQ Sauces: Kidney-Friendly
The weather is getting warmer, which means more grilling out and barbecuing! With chronic kidney disease you have to think about so much, including how much sodium is in the sauces. You may have heard that since being diagnosed with kidney disease, you can no longer enjoy anything processed. While many processed products do include higher amounts of sodium, you absolutely find lower sodium BBQ sauce that is store-bought and can be enjoyed with kidney disease.
Of course, making homemade sauces can help reduce the sodium (and I’ll be sharing a couple of my favorite homemade recipes)! However, sometimes we want to grab something quick and easy. I am sharing 3 of my favorite lower sodium barbecue sauces that are great for those with chronic kidney disease.
Benefits of a Low Sodium Diet
You may wonder, why do I need to care about sodium with chronic kidney disease? The World Health Organization recommends “a reduction to <2 g/day sodium (5 g/day salt) in adults” for the general public. For those with chronic kidney disease, research has shown high sodium intake increases proteinuria and blood pressure, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A low sodium diet is typically used to treat hypertension in chronic kidney disease because hypertension causes low GFR (glomerular filtration rate), which is a blood test that shows how well your kidneys are working.
I don’t share this to scare you or say that sodium needs to be completely restricted, but to bring more awareness to sodium intake. I also want to share ways you can easily reduce sodium to ensure you’re taking care of your kidneys while still having the flexibility to enjoy the foods you love!
3 Store-Bought Lower Sodium Barbecue Sauces
This barbecue sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy for those who like a little tangy kick to their barbecue. It has no added sugars and only 190 mg of sodium, making it a great lower sodium sauce.
2. Primal Kitchen Classic Barbecue Sauce
Up next, is another Primal Kitchen sauce! The Classic barbecue sauce is a delicious take on the smoky tasting barbecue sauce we’ve all come to know and love. With no added sugar and 160 mg of sodium per serving, this is a great choice.
3. Yo Mama’s Classic Barbecue Sauce
Another classic by Yo Mama’s is sure to please your tastebuds while still honoring your needs with kidney disease. It also has no added sugar and only 75 mg of sodium per serving.
If you do have time to whip up a homemade barbecue sauce, it truly is a great way to reduce sodium intake. This homemade sauce from The Kidney Dietitian is deliciously sweet with a little tang and only 7 mg of sodium. I also really enjoy this sauce by Sodium Optional because it is made with ingredients that are already in the pantry.
Being aware of your sodium intake is important to reduce risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and protecting your kidney function. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy store-bought sauces or other foods you love that may contain some sodium. Working with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in kidney disease is helpful for navigating nutrition and your kidney health.
Did you find this blog post helpful and want more ideas? Check out my Easy Kidney Friendly Recipe Booklet for 15 mouth-watering recipes for anyone with Chronic Kidney Disease stages 1-5.
You have supplied the names of three BBQ sauces that are Kidney friendly. Although I am happy to see that, I have been told that as part of my kidney diet that I should avoid tomatoes in all forms. I assume that each of these sauces are tomato based, correct? It has been difficult to find sauces that are not but are still good for BBQ.
Hi Ed! Great question. Unfortunately, it is common to hear that you have to avoid all tomato products when you have CKD. It’s likely because tomatoes have potassium in them. However avoiding all tomato products because of their potassium content isn’t necessary. All fruits, veggies, grains, meat, fish, etc have some potassium in them. Many people with CKD don’t need to limit potassium in their diet but some do. Even if you do, having smaller portion sizes of higher potassium foods. Overall, if you have CKD, your diet should be individualized to fit your needs and bloodwork. If you are avoiding tomato products because you simply don’t like them – I would look for mustard based BBQ sauces. There are some nice ones out there! I hope this helps.