No Thanksgiving or holiday table is complete without the stuffing. This tasty side is a fan favorite but packs a hefty dose of sodium and carbs.
If you limit sodium and carbs for kidney health, this low-carb, low sodium cauliflower stuffing is a must-try! We love this recipe because it’s packed with veggies, healthy fats and is full of holiday flavor!
Who benefits from low-carb stuffing for kidney health?
You might be wondering why we’re featuring low-carb recipes on the KidneyRD? While we’re not promoting any fad diets, there are several instances when a lower carbohydrate eating pattern may benefit individuals with kidney disease. So who benefits most from a low-carb approach?
Individuals with polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
PKD is a genetically inherited disorder that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and sometimes other organs. (1) Research from the Weimbs Laboratories at the University of California at Santa Barbara has discovered that cyst growth is dependent on glucose– the end product of carbohydrate metabolism.
The research team looked at three different ways to mitigate this process, and one was with a very low carbohydrate diet that causes the body to use fat for fuel instead of glucose, otherwise known as ketosis. All three strategies had the same result in animal models; ketosis inhibited cyst growth and renal fibrosis!
Individuals with CKD and Diabetes
If you have diabetes and chronic kidney disease, managing blood sugar is essential for protecting kidney health! Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes here in the US.
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in different areas of your body, including the kidneys. Lifestyle habits that include exercise and a healthy diet in combination with medications are the best ways to manage diabetes and slow the progression of kidney disease.
The American Diabetes Association plate method makes it easy to plan meals by filling half your plate with plenty of non-starchy (aka low-carb) veggies! However, if you’re feeling lost managing your CKD and diabetic diet, a renal dietitian can help!
Everyone!
We all benefit from a plant-rich diet like this low-carb stuffing that features plentiful amounts of veggies and healthy fats that come from plants. Not only is this recipe low-carb, but it is also full of ingredients that promote good health for everyone!
A ketogenic renal nutrition approach for Polycystic Kidney Disease
Join the PKD nutrition Facebook group if you have PKD and want to know how this diet may help. If you are not a Facebook member or are looking for more one-on-one support, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our expert Renal Dietitians.
Low-carb cauliflower stuffing
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cups pumpkin seeds raw
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 stalks celery roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 1/3 cup leek bulb finely chopped
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 8 ozs white button mushrooms roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup organic vegetable broth low sodium
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt coconut oil. Add pumpkin seeds and toast until just golden, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium and, to the same skillet, add celery, onion, and leek and sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add cauliflower, mushrooms, vegetable broth, rosemary, sage, celery salt, pepper, and salt and continue to sauté until all ingredients are well-incorporated and tender, breaking apart cauliflower florets as they soften, all liquid is absorbed, and cauliflower florets begin to lightly brown, about 30-35 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
KidneyRD Verdict:
Full disclosure, stuffing just so happens to be my favorite Thanksgiving side. I thought for sure I’d miss the bready goodness when I made this recipe; surprisingly, I enjoyed this so much I barely noticed. The flavor and texture were reminiscent of the traditional dish but didn’t leave me feeling as stuffed! I’ll be making this side again and again!
Recipe inspired by Low carb stuffing at Real Balanced!
ALL information you read on KidneyRD.com is purely for informational and educational purposes. Information is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.