Kale & Arugula & Kidney Disease Should You Eat These Vegetables In A Renal Diet
Kale and arugula are two superfood vegetables for individuals dealing with kidney disease. Kale, especially, has gained enormous market share over the past years and more people are starting to include it into their diets. With some adding kale in their salads while others snack on kale chips.
If youre suffering from kidney disease, kale may not be the best option to fit into a renal diet due to its high potassium content. For this purpose, many may need to stay away from kale or enjoy it in minimal amounts. To confirm this, one must always check their potassium levels and consult with their doctor.
Arugula, on the other hand, is a nutrient-dense green that is low in potassium, making it a great option for a kidney disease diet. You can even saute it with some olive oil or just eat it by itself. Arugula also goes well with sandwiches and burgers.
Most people will need to restrict kale from their diet but arugula is a great alternative. Its also considered to be a superfood and is loaded with beneficial nutrients that are good for your body.
These are some small changes you can make to your renal diet to spice things up.
Lori Steinmeyer Ms Rd Ldn
Lori has been a registered dietitian with DaVita for more than 12 years and currently she is working in Tampa, Florida. She loves educating and motivating individuals to improve their health with healthy diet and lifestyle changes. She also has a passion for writing about nutrition and health. Lori has co-authored several books, as well as, published many articles on nutrition. In her free time Lori loves to garden, hike and cook new recipes with garden fresh vegetables.
Watch Your Protein Intake
The Mayo Clinic and AKF say itâs important to get the right amount of protein not too much or too little based on body size , activity level and overall health. Thatâs why itâs important to consult your physician or a dietitian about your diet and how protein you should be consulting and the best sources for your particular needs. In general, Mayo Clinic suggests keeping any meat portions you do consume to under the size of a deck of cards.
Knowing which foods are higher or lower in protein can help guide your choices. And, remember, opting for low-protein foods doesnât mean you can eat vast quantities!
Per AKF, lower-protein foods include:
- Bread.
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Kale Sheds Bum Rap On Kidney Stones
Kale is one of Americas current health food crazes. Studies show the trendy veggie is exceptionally rich in nutrients, antioxidants and other cancer fighting properties.
But now some critics are warning the ubiquitous leafy green super food may pose a risk. Website articles and health gurus are warning that eating too much kale can cause kidney stones.
Fear not! Those claims are baseless, according to University of Chicago kidney specialist Dr. Fredric Coe, a professor of medicine who built and has run the universitys kidney stone prevention center for 45 years.
Kale offers all the benefits of dark green vegetable but it ranks really low in oxalate, said Coe. Theres only 17 milligrams of oxalate in a hundred grams of kale.
So in every three ounces of kale you get nothing in terms of oxalate, added Coe. Essentially, its about impossible to eat enough of kale to cause kidney stones.
Oxalate in higher concentrations is linked to a chemical cascade that can result in kidney stones.
Oxalate
So what is oxalate? Oxalate is a molecule thats a waste product of metabolism. Plants use it to store energy. All the physical and chemical processes in the body that use energy for example breathing or digestion need oxalate, according to the National Institutes of Health website.
So why is oxalate a problem? Even though our bodies need oxalate, the foods we eat that are high in it can cause kidney stones.
Spinach Concerns
Juicing Problems
A few tips:
Pretzels Chips And Crackers
Ready-to-eat snack foods like pretzels, chips, and crackers tend to be lacking in nutrients and relatively high in salt.
Also, its easy to eat more than the recommended portion size of these foods, often leading to even greater salt intake than intended.
Whats more, if chips are made from potatoes, theyll contain a significant amount of potassium as well.
SUMMARY
Pretzels, chips, and crackers are easily consumed in large portions and tend to contain high amounts of salt. Additionally, chips made from potatoes provide a considerable amount of potassium.
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Potassium And Your Ckd Diet
WHAT IS POTASSIUM AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Potassium is a mineral found in many of the foods you eat. It plays a role in keeping your heartbeat regular and your muscles working right. It is the job of healthy kidneys to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. However, when your kidneys are not healthy, you often need to limit certain foods that can increase the potassium in your blood to a dangerous level. You may feel some weakness, numbness and tingling if your potassium is at a high level. If your potassium becomes too high, it can cause an irregular heartbeat or a heart attack.
WHAT IS A SAFE LEVEL OF POTASSIUM IN MY BLOOD?
Ask your doctor or dietitian about your monthly blood potassium level and enter it here:
If it is 3.5-5.0You are in the SAFE zoneIf it is 5.1-6.0You are in the CAUTION zoneIf it is higher than 6.0..You are in the DANGER zone
HOW CAN I KEEP MY POTASSIUM LEVEL FROM GETTING TOO HIGH?
WHAT FOODS ARE HIGH IN POTASSIUM ?
The following table lists foods that are high in potassium. The portion size is ½ cup unless otherwise stated. Please be sure to check portion sizes. While all the foods on this list are high in potassium, some are higher than others.
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High-Potassium Foods |
Is Salmon Good For Kidney Disease
The health advantages of salmon allow it to be an excellent option for the kidney diet. Salmon is packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids which help decrease chronic inflammation and safeguard against cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Salmon, tuna, along with other cold-water, fatty fish which are full of omega-3 essential fatty acids can produce a advantageous accessory for any diet. Your body cannot make omega-3 essential fatty acids, meaning that they need to range from diet. Fatty fish are a good natural supply of these healthy fats.
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Protein And Fluid Intake
Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight off infection.
When a person with healthy kidneys eats protein-rich foods like meat and dairy, it breaks down into waste within the body and is filtered out by the kidneys. When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, they have difficulty removing the extra waste from extra protein.
The amount of protein a person with kidney disease needs varies based on:
- Body size
- Progression of kidney disease
- Amount of protein found in the urine
Most people with stage 1 or 2 kidney disease should limit their protein intake to 0.8 grams per kilogram of their ideal body weight.
To slow the progression of stages 3â5 kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation KDOQI guidelines recommend:
- An adult without diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.55â0.60 grams per kilogram of body weight per day under close medical supervision.
- An adult with diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.06â0.08 grams per kilogram of body weight to promote glycemic control and maintain stable nutritional status.
Most people will not need to restrict fluid intake during early kidney disease . However, as the disease progresses, you may need to limit the liquid you consume because your kidneys cannot remove excess fluid. This can lead to fluid buildup in the body, causing a strain on the heart and swelling throughout the body.
They Wont Derail Your Healthy Eating Plan
A 1/2-cup serving of sliced radishes contains about 12 calories and virtually no fat, so they wont sabotage your healthy diet. They are the perfect crunchy snack when the munchies strike.
Radishes are a good source of vitamin C. Just 1/2 cup offers about 14 percent of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps battle free radicals in your body and helps prevent cell damage caused by aging, an unhealthy lifestyle, and environmental toxins. Vitamin C also plays a key role in collagen production, which supports healthy skin and blood vessels.
Radishes contain small amounts of:
- potassium
- sodium
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Reduce Your Sodium Intake
When your kidneys are damaged, they have a hard time processing salt. This can lead to sodium and fluid building up in your body, causing symptoms such as swollen ankles, high blood pressure and shortness of breath.Thats why the National Kidney Foundation says its important to limit salt and other forms of sodium even in the early stages of kidney disease. Aim to keep your intake below 2,300 milligrams per day. Thats about a third less than what the average person consumes, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.One easy way to reduce sodium: Prepare more meals in your own kitchen. Packaged, processed and restaurant foods often have the most salt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Asparagus Improves Kidney Function
Asparagus was considered the perfect solution for curing urinary problems in Europe and Asia, its native countries. Asparagus is among the top foods good for kidneys.
- It contains glycosides as well as saponins, which are diuretic and purify the blood by removing toxins.
- Regular consumption of asparagus will lead to increased production of urine and it soothes the urinary system, enhancing the cellular activities in the kidneys, dissolving acids, salts in kidneys that can cause kidney stones.
- The hydroxynicotianamine present in asparagus can help prevent hypertension and improve kidney function.
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Importance Of Kidney Disease Screenings
Kidney disease screening from Life Line Screening uses a simple finger-stick test to assess how well your kidneys are functioning. It uses an FDA-approved device adopted by more than 250 hospitals across the country.
Common risk factors for kidney disease include increased age, family history, race and ethnicity , diabetes, high blood pressure, hereditary factors, and abnormally elevated creatinine levels or decreasing glomerular filtration rates .
If you have any of the above risk factors, or if youre over the age of 60, you should seriously consider a kidney disease screening. Learn more now or contact us with any questions you might have.
Life Line Screening 2021 update
Learn more or schedule a screening today at lifelinescreening.com or give us a call at . Wed love to help.
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What Should I Know About Phosphorus In My Diet If I Follow A Renal Diet
Phosphorus is another mineral that can build up in your blood when your kidneys dont work properly. When this happens, calcium can be pulled from your bones and can collect in your skin or blood vessels. Bone disease can then become a problem, making you more likely to have a bone break.
Tips to limit phosphorus in your diet
Dairy foods are the major source of phosphorus in the diet, so limit milk to 1 cup per day. If you use yogurt or cheese instead of liquid milk, have only one container of yogurt or 1.5 ounces of cheese per day.
Some vegetables also contain phosphorus. Limit these to 1 cup per week:
- Dried beans.
Certain cereals should be limited to 1 serving per week. These are:
- Bran.
- Oatmeal.
- Granola.
White or Italian bread and low-salt crackers made with white flour have less phosphorus than whole-grain bread and crackers.
Soft drinks contain phosphorus, so only drink clear ones. Dont drink Mountain Dew® , colas, root beers, Dr.Pepper® . Also, avoid Hawaiian Punch®, Fruitworks®, Cool® iced tea, and Aquafina® tangerine pineapple.
Beer also has phosphorus. Avoid all kinds.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
We all need to pay attention to what we eat. If you have kidney disease, following a renal diet gives you more control over how you feel. Work with your providers and dietitian because youre the most important part of your healthcare team.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/06/2021.
References
Will I Get Enough Vitamins On A Kidney
Your doctor or dietitian can help you find vitamins that are right for you. To help you get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, your dietitian may suggest you take:
- A special supplement made for people with kidney disease
- A special kind of vitamin D, folic acid or iron pill, to help prevent some common side effects of kidney disease, such as bone disease and anemia
Regular multi-vitamins may not be healthy for you if you have kidney disease. They may have too much of some vitamins and not enough of others.
Tell your doctor and dietitian about any vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medicines you are taking. Some can cause more damage to your kidneys or cause other health problems.
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What Greens Are Good For Kidneys
Dark leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, chard, and collard greens are loaded with vitamins A and C, calcium, and many other important minerals. Kale also is a significant source of carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamin K.
Is kale bad for diabetics?
Vegetables like kale and spinach are great for people with type 2 diabetes as they are high in antioxidants. A study specifically spoke about the benefits of kale juice for regulating blood sugar levels, and even improve blood pressure.
Control Your Portion Sizes
Eating too much of anything, even healthy foods, can be a problem. The other part of a healthy eating plan is portion control, or watching how much you eat.
Good portion control is important in a kidney-friendly eating plan, because you may need to limit how much of certain things you eat and drink.
To help control your portion sizes:
- For packaged foods, check the nutrition facts label to learn the serving size and how much of each nutrient is in one serving. Many packages have more than one serving. For example, a 20-ounce bottle of soda is really two-and-a-half servings.
- For fresh foods that do not have nutrition facts labels, such as fruits and vegetables, ask your dietitian for a list of nutrition facts to measure the right portions.
- Eat slowly and stop eating when you are full. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you are full. If you eat too quickly, you may eat more than you need.
- Avoid eating while doing something else, such as watching TV or driving. When you are distracted, you may not realize how much you have eaten.
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Eating More Fruits And Veggies Could Benefit Your Kidneys
It turns out your parents were right: You should eat more fruits and vegetables.
University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers found that adults with chronic kidney disease generally ate fewer fruits and vegetables than adults who did not have the disease.
The researchers analyzed data on eating patterns of fruits and vegetables from three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1988 and 2018. After adjusting for demographics, waist circumference and the presence of diabetes and high blood pressure among survey participants, the scientists found that patients with chronic kidney disease included fewer fruits and vegetables in their diets.
Consuming more fruits and vegetables is strongly linked to health in many different diseases, UVA Health kidney specialist Dr. Julia J. Scialla said. We worry about overall health effects when we see patients with chronic kidney disease consuming low levels of fruits and vegetables.
Better understanding the possible risk factors for chronic kidney disease is critical, as the condition is widespread among Americans and carries significant health risks. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 37 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, which occurs when the kidneys are damaged and are unable to effectively filter waste from a persons blood, potentially leading to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Is It Safe To Use Herbal Supplements If I Have Kidney Disease
You may think about using herbal supplements to help with any health concerns you may have, but as a patient with kidney disease, you should use caution with herbal supplements.
Use of herbal supplements is often unsafe if you have kidney disease since some herbal products can cause harm to your kidneys and even make your kidney disease worse. Also, your kidneys cannot clear waste products that can build up in your body.
The herbal supplement market is a multi-million dollar business. You may hear from a friend or family member about an herbal supplement that they think has improved their health or well-being and they suggest it to you. While this advice may be fine for them, it can be dangerous for you with kidney disease.
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