Community Corner

Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. Offers Dialysis-Friendly Recipes

March is National Kidney Month, so a Carrollwood business is helping dialysis patients find budget-friendly recipes

People with kidney failure need to maintain restricted diets to feel their best, so cooking flavorful, healthy meals can be a daily challenge.

To help celebrate National Kidney Month in March, Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr., in partnership with Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, wants to help dialysis patients by offering tasty, affordable recipes for the renal diet.

FMCNA, which has a location in Carrollwood at 4553 Gunn Highway, and Chef McCargo - who won season four of "The Next Food Network Star" - also offer smart shopping and cooking tips so patients can make the most of their time and money in the kitchen.

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People on dialysis have to limit many mainstream foods that most of us consider “healthy” — such as broccoli, oranges, and tomatoes. People don’t realize that these foods can actually contribute to declining health for dialysis patients. Chef McCargo wants to help people live a better life on dialysis by offering recipes that are easy to make, taste great, and can be assembled on a budget.

“My main goal this year with Fresenius Medical Care is to give dialysis patients some variety and bold flavors in their diet so they can enjoy eating, even with the dietary limits placed on them by kidney failure,” said Chef McCargo. “I also hope to inspire them to stay creative in the kitchen and get excited about food, because it can bring fun and joy to their lives, as well as to the lives of their families.”

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In collaboration with FMCNA dietitians, Chef McCargo is creating new recipes throughout the year, including a budget-friendly Spaghetti and Asparagus Carbonara, to demonstrate that nutrient-focused cooking can be easy and delicious.

5 Tips to Shop and Cook on a Budget

During National Kidney Month, FMCNA and Chef McCargo encourage everyone to follow these five tips to make their shopping and cooking experiences more fun and affordable:

·         Buy fresh produce in season, when it is least expensive. You can freeze many items for use later in the year. Your local farmer’s market can be a great place to find excellent deals on seasonal fruits and vegetables.

·         Buy meats in bulk to save money. Divide meat into portions and freeze it — using freezer paper, vacuum-sealed bags, plastic freezer bags or tinfoil to avoid freezer burn — until you are ready to use it in a recipe.

·         Consider generic or “store brands,” which are often as good as name brands, but priced lower.

·         Utilize leftover vegetables, rice and pasta in soups, stews, casseroles and stir-fries.

·         Have a cooking party with friends and make meals to freeze for a week or two. Also, when cooking for yourself, make extra servings and freeze for later use.

For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, located at 4553 Gunn Highway in Carrollwood, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.


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