Kidney-Friendly Candies: Sweet Treats Without the Guilt
February 02, 2023
Here is a list of kidney-friendly candies for every occasion.
Tips for Kidney Patients
- Avoid buying candies that aren’t kidney-friendly, that way you are not tempted
- If you have diabetes, choose sugar-free or low-sugar candies
- Avoid high phosphorus and high potassium ingredients in candy-like chocolate and nuts
- Take a 10 to 15-minute walk or do an activity for each piece of candy you eat.
- Share! Give away leftover candy to friends or family
| Acceptable Candies for Kidney Patients ✓ | Avoid These Candies X |
| Candy Corn, Sweet Tarts, Red Licorice | Chocolate candy bars |
| Bulls-eye, Marshmallows, Sour Balls | Chocolate and nut candy bars |
| Butterscotch, Gummy Bears | Candy bars that contain nuts |
| Jolly Ranchers, Jelly Beans | Candy bars with peanut butter |
| Gum Drops, Peppermint | Toffee |
| JuJu Beans, Lifesavers | Caramel treats |
| Red Hots, Lemon Drops | Chocolate wafer candy bars |
| Lemon Heads, Chewing Gums | Chocolate covered peppermint candies |
Phosphorus and Potassium Content of Different Candies
| Food | Potassium (Mg) | Phosphorus (Mg) | Food | Potassium (Mg) | Phosphorus (Mg) |
| Lollipop | 0 | 0 | Brownie (1 large square) | 83 | 57 |
| Lifesavers | 0 | 0 | Chocolate cake doughnut | 64 | 97 |
| Candy corn (1/4 C) | 2 | 3 | Almond Joy (1.7 oz) | 120 | 69 |
| Taffy (.5 oz) | 1 | 0 | Mounds (1.9 oz) | 111 | 64 |
| Skittles (2.3 oz) | 3 | 1 | Twix (2 oz) | 115 | 68 |
| Starburst fruit chews (6) | 1 | 4 | Kit Kat (1.5 oz) | 126 | 73 |
| Gumdrops (10 small) | 2 | 0 | M & M’s (1.69 oz) | 128 | 72 |
| Jelly beans (10 large) | 10 | 1 | Caramels (6 pieces) | 152 | 81 |
| Toffee (.42 oz) | 6 | 4 | M & M’ s peanut (1.74 oz) | 169 | 93 |
| Apple cider (from mix) | 1 | 27 | Raisinettes (1.58 oz) | 231 | 65 |
| York Peppermint Patty (1.5 oz) | 49 | 40 | Butterfinger (2.1 oz) | 230 | 79 |
| Glazed doughnut | 42 | 58 | Baby Ruth (2.1 oz) | 238 | 91 |
| Milky Way (snack size) | 43 | 29 | Snickers (2.1 oz) | 206 | 113 |
| 3 Muskateers (2.13 oz) | 80 | 55 | Reese’s Peanut Butter cup (2) | 176 | 120 |
| Cherry Nibs (1 oz) | 18 | 88 | Pumpkin pie (1 slice) | 288 | 152 |
| Pumpkin seeds (1/4 C) | 457 | 665 | Homemade hot cocoa (1 C) | 492 | 262 |
Author
Raag Shanker, RDN, LD
Renal Registered Dietitian
