Everyone needs a quick and easy go-to weeknight dinner recipe and this keto-friendly stir fry fits the bill. It is hands down one of the most loved recipes we have created for plant-focused keto. Not only do our clients love it, but their families do too!
Low oxalate vegetables: the secret sauce in this keto friendly stir fry
We all know how important of a role fruits and vegetables play in our health. But, there’s even more reason why the plant-focused ketogenic diet for Polycystic Kidney Disease is centered around low oxalate vegetables. That’s because vegetables have kidney protective superpowers!
Not only are they full of important vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they also help to lower the Renal Acid Load. If you have kidney disease, understanding Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) and how it impacts kidney health is one of the foundations of caring for your kidneys.
What is Potential Renal Acid Load?
All of the different foods we eat break down into either acid or alkaline metabolites, otherwise known as Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP). Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) is a measurement of the acid or alkaline-producing effects of food. Foods with a high PRAL value include meat and cheese, two staples in the traditional ketogenic diet.
Plant foods, on the other hand, produce more alkaline byproducts and have a lower or negative PRAL value. Dietary patterns with a higher PRAL value aka the Standard American Diet (SAD) are more acidic, while a lower or negative PRAL value is more alkaline and typically includes a robust amount of plant foods, specifically vegetables.
So why is this important for kidney health? One of the many important jobs of the kidney is to regulate acid and base balance in the body. With a highly acidic diet, the kidneys have to excrete more acid which can cause renal injury and can also lead to metabolic acidosis. Research shows that more acidic diets are directly linked to a decline in kidney function.
Our top two strategies to reduce Potential Renal Acid Load
So now that we understand what PRAL is and how it can impact kidney health, how can we aim for a lower PRAL level? There are two easy ways to reduce dietary acid load:
- Limit portions of meat and dairy: The amount of meat and dairy that is right for you depends on your unique nutritional needs. An expert Renal Dietitian can help you clarify your individual goals.
- Increase your daily intake of vegetables and fruit: We recommend a minimum of 3 cups of vegetables per day. If you are following the plant focused ketogenic diet being mindful of total net carbs and oxalate content is yet another way to protect your kidneys!
A ketogenic renal nutrition approach for Polycystic Kidney Disease
If you have PKD and want to find out more about how this diet may help, join the PKD nutrition Facebook group. 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.
Keto Kidney Vegetable Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 bell peppers orange or red, sliced
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms sliced
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds roasted
Instructions
- Heat coconut and avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and ginger, cook for 2 minutes stirring gently.
- Add the peppers, onion, and zucchini. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the mushrooms, cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the coconut aminos and broth, season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve topped with fresh cilantro and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
KidneyRD Verdict
This recipe is a fan favorite for good reason! It’s chock full of color, flavor, and healthful fat which makes for a satisfyingly nutritious and delicious meal. We love to serve it with a side of riced cauliflower. Eating with the family? They can easily have a side of rice and everyone can join in with this dish.
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.
Pingback: Manage oxalates and pick more plants for PKD - Kidney RD