Food Facts Friday: Eggnog - Kidney Diet Tips (2024)

Posted December 20, 2019 in Holiday Meal Planning, Tips, Tags: eggnog, eggnog recipe, holiday drink recipes, homemade eggnog, low potassium eggnog. low phosphorus eggnog by Jessica Fink MS, RD, LDN.

Eggnog is believed to have originated in England and was initially enjoyed as a hot beverage. The mixture typically contained milk, cream, sugar and raw eggs. It may have included alcohol such as rum or brandy. Today, eggnog is more widely known as a cold drink and can be purchased in many retail stores. Varieties such as Pumpkin Eggnog, Sugar Cookie Eggnog, etc. are becoming popular.

Nutrients in Eggnog

Eggnog can be considered a higher potassium and phosphorus food. Due to these nutrients, this drink food may be limited for those with kidney disease who are on a low potassium, low phosphorus diet. In addition, eggnog is also a fluid and when consumed, should be counted as such for those who have a fluid restriction.

If eggnog is something you cannot pass on during the holidays, be sure to account for the higher doses of potassium, phosphorus and fluid. Choose lower potassium entrees and desserts to avoid excessive potassium intake throughout the day. Taking the prescribed phosphorus binders is important when consuming higher phosphorus foods.

The average 8 ounce serving of eggnog contains:

Egg Safety

When considering eggnog as part of your holiday festivities, it is important to remember food safety. Many eggnog recipes contain raw eggs. Raw eggs may contain a bacteria called salmonella that can cause illness. Symptoms of salmonella can include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Those who are pregnant, very young or elderly are at a greater risk for this illness. People with weak immune systems or chronic diseases such as kidney disease are also at a greater risk.

To reduce the risk of acquiring salmonella, consider buying and using pasteurized eggs. Pasteurization is the process of exposing eggs to heat in order to destroy the potential bacteria. Using pasteurized eggs is a safer option when a recipe calls for raw or undercooked eggs. Many ready-to-drinks sold in stores will list if the product has used pasteurized eggs for safety.

Recipes

Alternative ingredients can be used to reduce potassium and phosphorus in eggnog. Consider using rice or almond milk rather than regular milk. Using non-dairy whipped topping that does not contain phosphate additives rather than heavy whipping cream can lower the potassium and phosphorus content. Egg whites have lower phosphorus content than egg yolks. Using egg products that contain eggs whites can be a great substitute. If you are concerned with the carbohydrate content, try switching out the sugar with a sugar substitute.

Spiced Eggnog is a recipe containing less than 150 mg of potassium and less than 100 mg of phosphorus. In addition, check out these other kidney-friendly holiday beverage recipes:

Resources:

FoodSafety.gov. (2019). Salmonella and Eggs. [online] Available at: https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/salmonella-and-eggs [Accessed 16 Dec. 2019].

FAQs

Food Facts Friday: Eggnog - Kidney Diet Tips? ›

Recipes. Alternative ingredients can be used to reduce potassium and phosphorus in eggnog. Consider using rice or almond milk rather than regular milk. Using non-dairy whipped topping that does not contain phosphate additives rather than heavy whipping cream can lower the potassium and phosphorus content.

Explore More ›

Is egg nog healthy? ›

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

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Can kidney transplant patients drink eggnog? ›

Foods to avoid after transplant

Raw seafood like clams, oysters, sushi and ceviche. Raw, rare or undercooked meat, poultry and fish. Raw or undercooked eggs. Foods containing raw eggs like cookie dough or homemade eggnog.

Can you eat hamburgers with kidney disease? ›

At restaurants, good choices for lunch and dinner for the dialysis diet include grilled, broiled or baked steak, burgers, chicken, pork chops, fish and seafood. It is recommended that meat, fish and poultry are limited to one 3- to 4-ounce serving per meal or the amount indicated on your individual meal plan.

What is a good meal plan for kidney disease? ›

The DASH Diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. It is low in salt and sodium, added sugars and sweets, fat and red meats.

What salad is good for kidneys? ›

Dark Leafy Greens

Don't skimp on the leafy green salads – vegetables like spinach, kale, and cabbage are kind to your kidneys. That's because they're low in calories and fat but packed with vitamins and minerals that support healthy kidney function.

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Is eggnog a junk food? ›

Eggnog is loaded with saturated fat and sugar. It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.)

Is it OK to drink a lot of eggnog? ›

And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.

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Is eggnog full of sugar? ›

But be aware that a single cup can pack in 400 calories and 40 grams of sugar. So, if eggnog is a daily indulgence throughout the holiday season, it pays to find a better-for-you nog that you truly enjoy. Fortunately, there are a few lower-sugar eggnog options out there that taste pretty good, too.

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Is store-bought eggnog good for you? ›

"Store-bought eggnog tends to have lower calories and fat because it is made with skim or low-fat milk, but it does have extra artificial ingredients like artificial coloring, high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial flavors.