Dining out when you’re living with kidney disease can feel overwhelming. After all, you don’t always know exactly what ingredients restaurants use to make the food they serve you. Even if you ask, they may not know or may tell you something incorrect.

Fast food may seem especially tricky. Many menu items are high in sodium (salt) and other ingredients or additives that require attention when you’re living with kidney disease. But you don’t have to give up convenience entirely. If you’re unsure what to order, here are a few fast-food options that may better align with a kidney-friendly eating plan.

Kidney Disease and Your Diet

The kidneys help the body remove waste and balance the amount of minerals and salts that are in your bloodstream. The kidneys also keep your blood “clean” — free from a buildup of waste products.

In the early stages of kidney disease, eating too much protein or sodium can put stress on the kidneys and lead to more damage. If kidney disease is more advanced, you might also need to watch your intake of foods or beverages that are high in potassium (such as beans, leafy greens, avocado, banana, and potatoes) and phosphorus (whole grains, some nuts and seeds, and oatmeal).

How does that translate into real-life food choices? In general, avoiding fast food and processed foods is a positive step. However, that’s not always possible. Sometimes, you get stuck away from home, or you’re in a situation where fast food is your only or best option. If that happens to you, here are some things you can eat.

If you need some support, ask your nephrology team to send you to a renal dietitian. These professionals have studied dietetics and know how to structure a renal diet that will work for you. They can help you find recipes and food items at different restaurants that work for your dietary needs.

Fast-Food Options

If you’re eating fast food, some choices are more kidney-friendly for diseases like polycystic kidney disease (PKD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or rare kidney diseases like C3G and IC-MPGN.

Note that your specific dietary needs will change based on the type of kidney disease you’re diagnosed with, the stage of the disease, other medical conditions you live with, and the treatment you’re pursuing for your kidney disease. You should run these ideas by a healthcare provider, like a nephrologist or a registered dietitian, before you implement them.

1. Eggs

If eggs are acceptable on your kidney disease diet, they can be a great option at fast-food places. Whenever possible, go for simple versions, like hard-boiled.

Some fast-food restaurants use egg mixtures containing other ingredients and additives, instead of just cracked eggs. It’s a good idea to check the ingredients or ask before you order.

If you can’t get eggs independent of a breakfast sandwich, you may want to order a couple of sandwiches, then remove the eggs to eat them while leaving the rest of the bread behind. Bread can be an unexpected source of sodium.

Note that some restaurants will serve egg dishes only during breakfast, so you may need to time your visit right to access these options.

2. Sandwiches

A lot of fast-food places focus on sandwiches or hamburgers. Rest assured, you have options here, too. Veggie sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, or fish sandwiches tend to be healthier for people with kidney disease than other options. Turkey and chicken that aren’t fried are good options, too.

If you’re craving a burger — or it’s your only option — and you’re wondering, “Can I eat a hamburger with kidney disease?” the answer is yes, in moderation. Try choosing a classic or junior-size burger. These smaller portions tend to be lower in sodium and protein, which can make them a better fit for a kidney-friendly eating plan.

You should also ask the restaurant to leave off the cheese. Many fast-food restaurants use processed cheese, which can be very high in sodium.

3. Grilled or Roasted Options

If you can, always choose something grilled or roasted over foods cooked any other way. While there’s no guarantee, roasted or grilled foods tend to have a low sodium content and less fat, both of which can be important in a diet for kidney health.

At some restaurants, you may have to ask to have your order cooked specially in order to have it prepared this way. Grilled chicken is a pretty common kidney-friendly fast-food option, though, and almost always a better choice than fried options like most chicken nuggets.

4. Sides

Everybody loves sides at a fast-food chain, but they can be problematic for people on a kidney diet. If you need to eat low-potassium fast food, onion rings are better than french fries. If you’re limiting your amount of sodium but not potassium, tell them to leave the salt off everything, particularly the fries.

Options that aren’t fried are often better. If you can get fruit, steamed rice, or even a salad, those are good choices when you’re eating fast food with kidney disease.

5. Salads

Salads can be good fast-food options when you’re eating for healthy kidneys. This is especially true when you get to choose the vegetables they add to the salad. That way, you can avoid things like avocados, spinach, and tomatoes (high in potassium) or canned vegetables (high in sodium).

When it comes to salad dressing, look for things that have vinegar, olive oil, or mayonnaise as a base.

6. Drinks

If you need to limit how much fluid you take in, keep that in mind when you’re at a fast-food restaurant, too. Track your fluid intake at a restaurant the same way you do when you eat at home. Grape, cranberry, or apple juice may be your best options when you’re eating out. Depending on your specific needs, water, coffee, tea, lemonade, and some soda may also be safe options.

There are a few other items that count as fluid, and that can be hard to remember when you’re eating fast food. Soups, anything with gelatin, and ice cream all count toward your fluid intake.

Tips for Finding the Best Fast Food for Kidney Disease

There are a few other steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of choosing fast food that supports your kidney health.

If you can, pull up a menu for the restaurant before you get there. You can usually do this on your mobile phone, so it’s an option even when you’re on the go. This allows you to look at the list of ingredients as well as the nutritional information and nutrition facts for each option. You can pick what you’re going to order before you get there and make an informed choice for your health.

When you’re ordering, ask for extra veggies and condiments on the side. This gives you more of the foods that are likely to be beneficial and offers maximum control over what you take into your body.

If you know you’ll be eating fast food during the day, try to cut back on the items you’re not supposed to eat or drink earlier that day. Since fast food tends to be high in sodium and potassium, for instance, eating less earlier could balance out the meal you have later on.

Finally, if you have phosphorous binders, make sure you take them with you. You can even keep some in your car if you find yourself getting stuck without them regularly. Take them as prescribed, most likely with the meal you eat. This helps you to get the maximum benefit from them.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyKidneyDiseaseTeam is the social network for people with kidney disease and their loved ones. On MyKidneyDiseaseTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with kidney disease.

Have you changed your diet because of kidney disease? What fast-food options work for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.