Will My Eating Plan Be Different If I Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you need to control your blood sugar to prevent more damage to your kidneys. Your doctor and dietitian can help you create an eating plan that helps you control your blood sugar, while also limiting sodium, phosphorus, potassium and fluids.
You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a diabetes educator who can work with you to better manage your diabetes.
Foods To Eat Or Avoid If You Have Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease can be either long-term or chronic, but it is possible to live a normal life with the disease. One of the best things you can do to help manage your disease and keep it from progressing is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
For those with chronic kidney disease, a low-protein diet is recommended, but for someone on dialysis, a high-protein diet is best. Depending on your individual needs, your physician may also recommend limiting additional fluids, minerals or electrolytes. Here are 10 foods to eat or avoid if you have kidney disease:
Foods to Eat
Foods to Avoid
Kidney disease or not, what you eat and drink affects your health. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet is key to controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar. High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the leading causes of kidney disease, as well as many other conditions including heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
A kidney-healthy diet isnt so much about eliminating a ton of foods entirely, but more about portion control and finding the right balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates to ensure you are consuming enough calories and nutrients.
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New & Evolving Perspectives
The renal diet of today is not the same as the renal diet of just a few decades ago, and it is likely to continue changing in the near future. Even now, different people may say renal diet and mean different things. Its easy to get confused, and this confusion is probably part of why some people dont follow their diets as well as they should for optimal health .
Alternative Diet Plans
One possible alternative to a strict renal diet is the six-tip diet. Adherents only need to follow six tips to keep the diet :
According to the main study that developed this diet, people with stage 3-5 CKD saw improvements to their lab tests when they were assigned to the six-tip diet. Many people find this plan easier to follow than the conventional renal diet, and more people tend to stick to it than to a low-protein diet .
In earlier stages of chronic kidney disease or in people at risk of CKD, the Mediterranean or DASH diets could be enough to halt the progression of the disease without resorting to a strict renal diet .
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Be Mindful Of Protein
When you eat protein, your body produces waste thats filtered through your kidneys. While protein is an important part of a healthy diet, eating more protein than you need to may cause your kidneys to work harder. Although there needs to be more research on the effects of a high-protein diet on overall kidney health, your doctor will likely recommend a lower-protein diet if you already have CKD. Having too much protein can cause waste to build up in your blood, and your kidneys may not be able to remove it, Maruschak says.
People with any stage of CKD who arent on dialysis should limit their protein intake to 0.6 to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight to reduce kidney disease progression, Maruschak says. For example, a person who weighs 150 pounds would need 40 to 54 grams of protein per day, which is about 4 to 6 ounces of protein from animal or plant sources, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Be sure to speak with an RD to determine the right amount of protein for you.
Whether or not youve been diagnosed with CKD, it can help to opt for healthier protein sources and watch your portion sizes. Good include:
- Lean meat, fish, or skinless poultry
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas
- Nuts
Best Foods For Kidney Health
Eating foods high in specific vitamins and nutrients may aid kidney function and protect them from injury. However, several foods that support healthy kidneys, in general, may not be acceptable for persons who already have renal disease.
If you have a medical problem, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about which meals are best for you.
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How Do I Know If I Need To Supplement My Diet With A Renal Vitamin
Sometimes a diet recall or food diary is all that is needed to identify nutrient insufficiencies. Other times a more comprehensive assessment which includes bloodwork, may be needed to identify specific nutrient deficiencies. Many individuals with CKD can benefit from supplementation that provides the recommended daily allowance of water-soluble vitamins . Over the counter multivitamin and mineral supplements typically are not the best choice for individuals with CKD or those on dialysis. These may have an imbalance of the nutrients people with kidney disease require.
There are special vitamin formulations for patients with kidney disease called renal vitamins . Your dietitian or health care provider will determine which formulation is best for your individual needs. Vitamin recommendations for CKD and dialysis patients usually include water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are usually not recommended for daily use unless a vitamin deficiency has been identified.
If a renal vitamin is recommended for you and you are a dialysis patient it is best if you take the vitamin after your dialysis treatment. Renal vitamins are water-soluble vitamins so if you take the vitamin before dialysis the vitamins will be removed during the dialysis treatment.
What Do The Kidneys Do
The kidneys remove wastes and extra water from the blood and make urine. To keep the body working properly, the kidneys balance the salts and mineralssuch as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassiumthat circulate in the blood. The kidneys also release hormones that help make red blood cells, regulate blood pressure, and keep bones strong.
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Keep Your Kidneys Healthy: 5 Foods To Avoid
The first step in healthy eating is having the right foods stocked in your kitchen. Because many foods are hidden sources of sugar and sodium, it is important to know what’s really in your refrigerator. The two leading causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, but when these conditions are controlled, kidney disease can often be prevented or slowed down. Making healthy food choices and controlling sugar, fat, sodium and salt intake can make a big difference in managing the risk factors for kidney disease and protecting the kidneys. Keep these 5 foods out of your daily diet to keep your kidneys healthy:
1) Soda: Steer clear! Soda provides no nutritional benefit and is packed with sugars — either natural or chemically manufactured. This equates to extra calories in your diet and can ultimately result in unwanted weight gain. A typical 12 oz. cola has 152 calories, and in some places, this is considered a small serving of soda! There are stores in the United States that sell soda in 50 oz. servings! Studies have linked sodas to conditions like osteoporosis, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome and dental problems. Diet sodas may be lower in calories, but still provide no nutritional value and often contain additives, including artificial sweeteners. Skip the soda and reach for water instead. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, add a slice or two of fresh fruit to add flavor.
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Choose Complex Carbs Over Simple Carbs
Carbohydrates are your bodys main source of energy, and those that occur naturally in fresh foods are filled with fiber to support heart and gut health and keep your blood sugar levels steady. However, simple carbs such as added sugars in desserts, sweetened beverages, and many packaged foods can spike blood sugar and increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
As part of an overall healthy diet, you should limit sweets and foods with added sugars , says Maruschak. Healthier carbohydrate choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils.
If you have diabetes and are on insulin, you may need to be even more careful about your carbohydrate intake. It is likely that people will need to count carbohydrates at meal times so they can dose their insulin correctly, says Maruschak.
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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.
Choose Foods With The Right Amount Of Potassium
When your kidneys are not working well, your potassium level may be too high or too low. Having too much or too little potassium can cause muscle cramps, problems with the way your heart beats and muscle weakness.
If you have kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may tell you to lower the amount of potassium in your eating plan.
Use the lists below to learn foods that are low or high in potassium.
Foods low in potassium
- Apples, cranberries, grapes, pineapples and strawberries
- Cauliflower, onions, peppers, radishes, summer squash and lettuce
- Pita, tortillas and white breads
- Beef and chicken
- Avocados, bananas, melons, oranges, prunes and raisins
- Artichokes, winter squash, plantains, spinach, potatoes and tomatoes
- Bran products and granola
- Beans
- Brown or wild rice
Read Also: Cranberry Juice Kidney Cleanse
Eat The Right Amount Of Calories
Calories are like fuel and give your body energy. Calories come from the protein, fat and carbs in your diet. How many calories you need depends on your age, gender, body size and activity level.
You may need to adjust how many calories you eat to stay at a healthy weight. Some people will need to limit the calories they eat. Others may need to have more calories. Your doctor or dietitian can help you figure out how many calories you should have each day.
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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Foods With High Sodium
Sodium is a mineral that controls fluid balance and maintains proper blood pressure and volume. The main source of sodium in your diet is from table salt. While sodium is an essential mineral, consuming too much of it can lead to an excess of fluids to accumulate in your body, which is also known as edema. Its important to monitor your food labels when trying to decrease your sodium intake. Food products with more than 400 mg of sodium are considered to be high in sodium.
Instead of eating canned veggies, opt for fresh. Even though vegetables are a healthy option, the excess sodium found in canned vegetables is not. If you are going the canned route, make sure to drain and rinse the vegetables to remove unnecessary sodium.
Packaged Foods Instant Meals And Fast Food
Packaged foods, instant meals, and fast food tend to be high in sodium, which is one reason they arent ideal for someone with kidney disease and diabetes.
Some examples of these foods are instant noodles, frozen pizza, frozen boxed meals, and other types of microwavable meals.
For example, a slice of frozen pepperoni pizza contains 568 mg of sodium, one-quarter of the advised sodium intake if you have kidney disease, and doesnt provide significant amounts of beneficial nutrients .
These foods are also heavily processed and often high in refined carbs. This isnt ideal if you have diabetes, as refined carbs are digested quickly and tend to spike blood sugar levels .
Summary
Packaged foods, instant meals, and fast food are high in sodium and refined carbs but low in beneficial nutrients. Limit your intake of these foods if you have kidney disease and diabetes.
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Keep in mind that when these leafy veggies are cooked, they shrink to a significantly smaller size but still contain the same amount of potassium.
So, if you have kidney disease, its better to eat them raw, as youre likely to eat a smaller amount of them this way. That said, its OK to eat them cooked, as long as you manage your portion sizes.
Spinach, beet greens, chard, and other leafy veggies are also high in oxalic acid, an organic compound that can form oxalates once bound to minerals such as calcium.
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Why Is Knowing About Sodium Important For Someone With Advanced Ckd
Too much sodium in a persons diet can be harmful because it causes blood to hold fluid. People with CKD need to be careful not to let too much fluid build up in their bodies. The extra fluid raises blood pressure and puts a strain on the heart and kidneys. A dietitian can help people find ways to reduce the amount of sodium in their diet. Nutrition labels provide information about the sodium content in food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that healthy people should limit their daily sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams , the amount found in 1 teaspoon of table salt. People who are at risk for a heart attack or stroke because of a condition such as high blood pressure or kidney disease should limit their daily sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg. Choosing sodium-free or low-sodium food products will help them reach that goal.
Sodium is found in ordinary table salt and many salty seasonings such as soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Canned foods, some frozen foods, and most processed meats have large amounts of salt. Snack foods such as chips and crackers are also high in salt.
Nutrition Tips For Chronic Kidney Disease
A healthy diet is essential for everyone, but it is vital for people who have chronic kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S., according to the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and losing the ability to keep you healthy.
Diet and nutrition may help manage and, potentially, slow the disease. Other key factors to slowing the progression include managing diabetes and controlling blood pressure, which are the leading causes of kidney failure.
A kidney-friendly meal plan focuses on the amount of certain nutrients that you should take in. Work with your dietitian to make a meal plan that meets your individual needs.
Dietary restrictions associated with chronic kidney disease include:
1. Protein
Its important to get the right amount of protein. Needs are based on height, weight and overall health. Protein is necessary for wound healing, enzyme and hormone production, and immune function. Byproducts of protein degradation no longer can be cleared as well by damaged kidneys, so protein is limited to decrease buildup of waste products. Try to keep portions of meat to the size of a deck of cards.
2. Sodium
3. Potassium
4. Phosphorus
5. Calcium
Kristi Wempen is a registered dietitian-nutritionist in Mankato, Minnesota.
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How To Leach Potassium From Fruits And Vegetables
If you can, swap canned fruits and vegetables for their fresh or frozen counterparts. The potassium in canned goods leaches into the water or juice in the can. If you use this juice in your meal or drink it, it can cause a spike in your potassium levels.
The juice usually has a high salt content, which will cause the body to hold onto water. This can lead to complications with your kidneys. This is also true of meat juice, so be sure to avoid this, too.
If you only have canned goods on hand, be sure to drain the juice and discard it. You should also rinse the canned food with water. This can reduce the amount of potassium you consume.
If youre cooking a dish that calls for a high-potassium vegetable and you dont wish to substitute, you can actually pull some of the potassium from the veggie.
The National Kidney Foundation advises the following approach to leaching potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, winter squash, and rutabagas: