Lifestyle

Kidney-friendly candy for dialysis patients

Eating candy is not only for holidays such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Sweets are enjoyable all year ‘round. Candy seems to be everywhere – from a coworker’s candy jar to the checkout register at a restaurant – easily triggering a sweet tooth. People generally experience a craving for candy, but for those on a kidney-friendly diet, there are some candies that are better suited than others.  

For people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), some candies can be too high in phosphorus, potassium or sodium, which is restricted on the kidney diet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Phosphorus, potassium, sodium and candy

Many popular candies happen to be of the chocolate and nut variety, which contains phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus is a mineral that comes only second to calcium as the most prominent mineral found in the body. But because people with kidney disease do not have the kidney function to remove excess phosphorus, it can be dangerous. Too much phosphorus can cause a person with kidney disease bone and heart problems, low blood calcium and the hardening of tissues. That is why it is important to identify candy low in phosphorus. 

Potassium is a mineral as well, but it controls nerve and muscle function. The heart is one very important muscle that beats normally because of potassium. Because kidney function is minimal in people with kidney disease, potassium can build up in the body. This can cause nausea, weakness and heart failure. Learning about the kidney diet will help you know which candies are low in potassium. 

In addition to candy low in phosphorus and potassium, look for kidney-friendly candy low in sodium. Too much sodium in a person with kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, because the kidneys cannot properly remove sodium and fluid from the body. A low sodium diet can range between 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day, depending on your kidney diet prescription. Some candies can be highly processed, usually meaning more sodium has been placed into the food to make it last longer. When you look at the candy ingredient labels, watch for high sodium content, because some candies may contain hidden sodium. 

Candy for people with chronic kidney disease

There are candies that are okay for people with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis. In order to find out which candy is acceptable, check the nutrition label on the candy’s package to make sure it is low in phosphorus and sodium. Because phosphorus and potassium aren’t always listed on nutrition labels, refer to this list of some candies that are kidney-friendly.

• Hard candy 
• Sweetarts®
• Jolly Ranchers®
• LifeSavers®
• Lemon Heads®
• Candy canes
• Sugar free hard candy (ideal for people with diabetes)
• Charms® sour balls
• Lollipops (Dum Dum Pops® or Charms® lollipops)
• Smarties®
• Runts
• Mike and Ike® candy
• Gumdrops
• Jelly beans
• Gummy Bears and fruit slices
• Starburst®
• Hot Tamales®
• Peeps® marshmallows
• Now and Laters®
• Jawbreakers
• Conversation hearts (usually found around Valentine’s Day)
• Airheads®
• Laffy Taffy®
• Peach and apple rings
• Sour Patch Kids®
• Skittles®
• Shortbread cookie-type candy
• Fondant (type of cake icing)

Candy in limited amounts on a kidney diet 

Like many foods on the kidney diet, some candies are okay in limited amounts and frequency. Guidance from your renal dietitian may help you learn which candies with a bit of chocolate or other limited ingredients you can eat every so often. Keep in mind most candies are high in sugar, so provide these empty calories with a few other nutrients. Listed are some candies that can be eaten by people with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis in limited amounts. 

• Toffee
• Caramel treats
• Twix® candy bars (caramel, cookie and chocolate candy bar)
• Candy apples
• Werther’s Original® hard candy
• Caramel-coated popcorn
• Kit Kat® candy bar (chocolate and wafer candy bar)

Candy not recommended on a kidney diet 

Chocolate and nuts contain high amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Your dietitian can help you see which candy is acceptable and which is not. Here are examples of candy types that are not recommended for people with kidney disease or on dialysis.

• Chocolate candy bars
• Milk, dark or other types of candy bars containing chocolate or cocoa
• Chocolate and nut candy bars
• Snicker’s® candy bar
• Candy bars that contain nuts
• Pay Day® candy bar
• Candy bars that contain peanut butter
• Reese’s® peanut butter cups, pieces, etc.

If you choose to eat these candies, consider purchasing the smaller or bite size, and have only one piece occasionally.  

Candy, diabetes and chronic kidney disease 

For people who have diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the approach to candy can be slightly different. Your diet consists of foods that help manage your blood glucose levels and reduce the amount of waste and fluids your kidneys process. People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease may be asked to avoid or limit the amount of candy they eat to help control blood sugar levels. Candy bars, hard candy, jelly beans, gum drops and chocolate are some of the sweets you are asked to cut back on.  

If you have diabetes and are on dialysis, you will follow the diabetic dialysis diet. Similar to the diabetic non-dialysis diet, the main goal is to manage blood glucose levels with medication, diet and exercise. Carbohydrates increase blood glucose, but by knowing how much you need at each meal and snack you may be able to include some candies.  Some sugar-free candies are lower in carbohydrates, so that may be a good choice. Others contain high amounts of carbohydrates, even though some candy is made with alternative sweeteners. You will learn from your dietitian on how to count carbohydrates, along with avoiding and limiting candy that contains too much phosphorus, potassium or sodium. 

In addition to eating candy for enjoyment, you may want to have some sugar-containing hard candy to eat if low blood sugar occurs or to provide you with extra carbohydrates during intense or prolonged exercise. 

Chocolate lovers: Working with your dietitian

People who love chocolate may find the kidney diet difficult, because chocolate contains a significant amount of phosphorus and potassium. In addition, many chocolate candies also contain nuts – another high potassium, high phosphorus ingredient. 

Keep in mind that you have a dietitian who can help modify your current diet into one that adds kidney-friendly candy. Talk to your dietitian about your favorite candy and candy bars so you can get advice on alternatives, find out about new candies as well as get tips on how you can treat yourself every once in a while. 

Candy can help control thirst and add calories on the dialysis diet 

Fluid is usually limited for dialysis patients. People become thirsty and need an alternative to drinking water or other liquids. Sucking on hard candy and sour candies can help control thirst. A person’s mouth becomes moistened and this will often stop someone from overloading on liquids.

In addition to helping control thirst, candy for people with kidney disease can be used to add calories to their kidney diet. Some people on dialysis may need to boost their calorie intake, and adding candy may be a good way for a person to achieve their goal.

Summary 

Some candies can be too high in phosphorus, potassium or sodium for those on a kidney or dialysis diet. But there are many candies that are okay on a kidney diet. Look at the labels before you eat certain candies. Your dietitian can also help you implement your old favorites from time to time.

Related articles on DaVita.com

• Potassium, phosphorus and the dialysis diet
• Reading labels to control phosphorus in the dialysis diet
• The challenges of being on a dialysis diet
• Working with a dietitian