A Review of Packaged Snack Foods

Abstract

REGULAR SNACKING IS a common feature for many dialysis patients. The restrictions of the renal diet coupled with the hemodialysis schedule can affect food intake rates of patients. Patients may spend 3.5 hours or more undergoing dialysis 3 days per week. Add to that travel and wait time, and some patients may be away from home for several hours on treatment days. Even when patients are able to rearrange meal times to accommodate their treatment schedule, some may choose to snack before, during, or after their hemodialysis treatments. Patients on peritoneal dialysis may also rely on snacking to fulfill their daily calorie needs owing to the early satiety experienced by some patients on this therapy. Many dialysis patients choose packaged snack foods on a regular basis. Many cite taste preference and convenience as the primary reasons for choosing packaged snack foods. Although a healthyoptionmay be for patients to consume a protein bar or nutrition supplement as a snack or eat a balanced meal at home before and/or after treatment, some packaged snack foods can be worked into the renal diet for patients who choose these foods. Table 1 provides nutrition information for some convenient, packaged snacks thatmay be appropriate for some patients. The Keebler 100 calorie packs (aside from the Grasshopper, which provides 79 mg potassium per serving) allow patients to enjoy cookies, even cookies with chocolate flavors such as Fudge Graham and Chips Deluxe, with less than 40 mg potassium and 40 mg phosphorus