Dr. Apeksha Ekbote
PhD,RD,CDE
Chief Dietician, NephroPlus
The simple satisfaction of a cold scoop on a hot day is something anyone can enjoy, young or old. And with a plethora of flavours, well, there really is something for everyone.
Ice cream which is a common dessert product that is produced through the pasteurization and homogenization of blended dairy products, (typically milk, condensed milk, butterfat, and cream). Other ingredients such as sweetening agents, flavourings, stabilizers, emulsifiers, colourings are also added to the mix. Occasionally, fruits, nuts, candy pieces, and other condiments are added to make a desired ice cream flavour. The process then involves freezing the mixture and incorporating air. The addition of air is called overrun and contributes to the lightness or denseness of ice cream. Without air, ice cream would be similar to a frozen ice cube. The ice cream is then placed into its packaging container. Finally, ice cream is cooled down to a holding temperature of less than -13°F (-25°C) as quickly as possible.
Ice creams are dairy-based frozen foods usually consumed as snacks or desserts. Many refreshing summer time frozen treats, such as ice cream and milk shakes, are off limits on a dialysis diet due to the concern about phosphorus. Milk-based recipes are high in phosphorus and potassium. Can ice cream fit in a low potassium, kidney friendly diet? Of course!
One can definitely consume ice cream when you are in your potassium and phosphorus limit of the day. Prefer taking vanilla, strawberry, or any berry ice cream which is comparatively lesser in potassium than chocolate or any other flavour. Also, top your ice cream with kidney friendly fruit like apple, pineapple, strawberries or blueberries which can be safely consumed.
Alternatively, to ice creams, you can opt for frozen yoghurt which is a better option for dialysis patients as the ingredient is hung curd which is also a high source of protein. Fruit sorbets like a guava/pineapple/raspberry/strawberry sorbet can also be taken during hot summers to keep yourself cool and also satisfy the urge of eating an ice cream.