Kidney-Friendly Takeaways

Best

• Plain tandoori chicken (tandoor cooking = lower salt than curries)
• Chicken or paneer tikka (shaslik style — grilled, not in sauce)
• Plain pilau or steamed basmati rice
• Tarka dahl (rinsed before serving if possible)
• 1 plain naan or 1 chapati

Avoid

• Biryanis (very salty)
• Korma, makhani, butter chicken (full-fat cream — phosphate)
• Saag paneer (spinach = potassium)
• Bhajis, samosas, pakoras (deep-fried, very salty)
• Pickle tray, poppadoms (salt-laden)
• Mango lassi (sweet, fluid, dairy)

Best

• Plain steamed/boiled rice
• Stir-fried chicken/beef with vegetables (request: less salt, no MSG, no soy)
• Steamed dumplings (avoid the dipping soy sauce)
• Plain chow mein noodles (light sauce only)

Avoid

• Salt & pepper anything
• Sweet & sour (very high sugar + salt)
• Black bean sauce (high salt)
• Crispy duck with pancakes (the hoisin sauce is the issue)
• Prawn crackers, spring rolls (salty + fried)
• MSG-heavy dishes — ask for 'no MSG'

Best

• Thin-crust pizza with vegetable topping (peppers, mushrooms, rocket) — share one between two
• Pasta arrabbiata or pomodoro (tomato-based)
• Plain bruschetta (without parma ham/cheese)
• Side salad with olive oil and balsamic

Avoid

• Stuffed crust, deep pan (more dough = more salt)
• Quattro formaggi pizza (4 cheeses = phosphate bomb)
• Carbonara (cream + bacon — phosphate + salt)
• Lasagne (processed cheese, often additive phosphate)
• Garlic bread (high salt)
• Pesto pasta (cheese-heavy pesto)

Best

• Plain jasmine rice
• Pad thai with chicken (less sauce, request light salt)
• Thai green curry with chicken (lighter than red curry, ask for less fish sauce)
• Stir-fried vegetables with garlic

Avoid

• Tom yum / tom kha soups (very salty broth)
• Massaman curry (rich coconut)
• Salt & chilli squid (deep-fried + heavy salt)
• Crispy spring rolls

Best

• Plain grilled chicken or lamb souvlaki (skip the salty marinade if possible)
• Greek salad WITHOUT olives and WITHOUT feta (or with small portions)
• Plain pitta bread
• Tzatziki in small amounts

Avoid

• Halloumi (very salty)
• Olives by the bowl
• Feta-heavy salads
• Moussaka (cheese-topped, salty)
• Calamari (often heavily salted)

Best

• Plain battered cod or haddock (small or medium)
• Small/medium chips
• Don't add salt at the shop
• Squeeze of lemon
• Side of plain peas (not mushy peas)

Avoid

• Jumbo battered fish
• Curry sauce (additive phosphate + salt)
• Mushy peas (often added bicarbonate of soda — sodium)
• Pickled onions, gherkins (very salty)
• Saveloys, battered sausages
• Scampi (often heavily processed)

1. Look at the menu BEFORE ordering — pick before you're hungry.
2. Order plain protein + plain rice/bread + vegetables.
3. Ask for sauces on the side so you control quantity.
4. Decant half into a takeaway box for tomorrow.
5. Don't add extra salt.
6. Drink water, not sugary drinks.
7. Have a renal-friendly day either side.