What Foods Help Repair Kidneys
If you have chronic kidney disease, it is crucial to track food and fluid intake because diseased kidneys cant remove waste products from the body like healthy kidneys can. Here are kidney-friendly foods that can help repair your kidneys and help you stay healthier longer
Other food items that you can have include
- Cranberries
- Tortillas
Kidney Diet And Foods For Chronic Kidney Disease
You need to have a kidney-friendly meal plan when you have chronic kidney disease . Watching what you eat and drink will help you stay healthier. The information in this section is for people who have kidney disease but are not on dialysis.
This information should be used as a basic guide. Everybody is different and everybody has different nutrition needs. Talk to a renal dietitian to find a meal plan that works for you.
Ask your doctor to help you find a dietitian. Medicare and many private insurance policies will help pay for appointments with dietitians. Check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers medical nutrition therapy .
Foods To Avoid For Kidney Disease Processed Meat
Processed meats are meat that underwent a procedure to enhance their flavor, texture, and shelf life. The processing may include drying, salting, curing, or smoking. Some examples of processed meats are bacon, sausage, or jerky.
This type of food is bad for health in general. It is undeniable that processed meats contain more chemicals and preservatives that are not present in fresh meats. Numerous studies have proven the link between them and other diseases, such as cancer,blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Little did we know that it is harmful to kidney disease patients as well.
So, why is that? This type of meat contains a large amount of salt to improve its taste and preserve flavor. Hence, it possesses a high sodium content. In reality, a standard 3-ounce serving of bacon can contain up to 1430 mg of sodium. It is equal to 62% of the sodium allowance for kidney disease patients.
High sodium intake is extremely bad for the kidneys. Thats because excess sodium requires your kidneys to work harder, though strain them. It puts you at risk of high blood pressure and leads to fluid retention in places like your ankles, around your heart, or lungs.
Furthermore, processed meat is high in protein as well, which makes your body produce more wastes. As your kidneys can no longer function properly, they cannot eliminate excess wastes out of your blood.
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Reduce Your Potassium Intake
This mineral helps your nerves and muscles work properly. But when you have CKD, your body canât filter out extra potassium. When you have too much of it in your blood, it can lead to serious heart problems.
Potassium is found in a lot of fruits and veggies, like bananas, potatoes, avocados, oranges, cooked broccoli, raw carrots, greens , tomatoes, and melons. These foods can affect potassium levels in your blood. Your doctor will let you know if you need to limit this mineral in your diet. If so, they may recommend you try low-potassium foods, like:
As your CKD gets worse, you may need to make other changes to your diet. This might involve cutting back on foods that are high in protein, especially animal protein. These include meats, seafood, and dairy products. You may also need extra iron. Talk to your doctor about which iron-rich foods you can eat when you have CKD.
Nutrients To Be Aware Of
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other healthy options that will do your kidneys, and your body, plenty of good. If you do have chronic kidney disease, there are a few nutrients you should be aware of.
Your kidneys regulate potassium, which is why its so important to monitor how much you are eating on a regular basis. Your kidneys also have a role in red blood cell production, meaning that if they arent functioning correctly your count may be low. Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent this and help keep your energy levels up.
On the opposite side of the equation, salt can be your enemy. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure and make your heart and kidneys work too hard. Be careful about how much salt you use in cooking and also watch the salt content of pre-packaged foods like canned soups, frozen dinners, and boxed meals. Salt substitutes may also contain a lot of potassium, so try herbs to add flavor and give it some time. You can get used to eating less salt, but it does take six to eight weeks for your taste buds to get used to it.
Lastly, we mentioned phosphorus, but it is worth repeating. A low-phosphorus diet should include lots of fresh fruits and veggies, rice milk, corn and rice cereals, as well as lemonade and even ginger ale.
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What About Fluids
If you have early-stage CKD, you probably donât need to cut back on fluids. But if your condition gets worse, your doctor will let you know if you need to limit those, too. To cut back on fluids you can:
- Avoid salty foods
- Manage your thirst with sugar-free hard candies, ice chips, or frozen grapes
- Track your fluid in a journal or with a marked container
Show Sources
American Kidney Fund: âKidney-friendly Diet for CKD,â âNutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease,â âNutrition and Early Kidney Disease,â âThe DASH Diet.â
National Kidney Disease Education Program: âEating Right for Kidney Health — Tips for People With Chronic Kidney Disease .â
National Kidney Foundation: âHow Your Kidneys Work,â âPotassium and Your CKD Diet,â âAnemia and Iron Needs in Dialysis,â âFluid Overload in a Dialysis Patient.â
Blood Purification: âElectrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Failure.â
Mayo Clinic: âLow-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?â
Cleveland Clinic: âHyperphosphatemia in Kidney Disease: How to Choose a Phosphorus Binder.â
Who Are They For
The Kidney Disease Solution program is ideal for patients suffering from kidney disease who are limited in managing their kidney issues. If you have kidney problems, you may consider trying out the program to determine the difference it can make for your overall health. If you are in the advanced stage of kidney disease, this program could potentially reverse the disease.
If you dont have kidney problems, you might consider trying the program since everyone can benefit from tips, recipes, and exercises that are included in the program. Its not just about improving kidney function but also improving your lifestyle and eating habits for greater overall health. After all prevention is always more effective than treatment.
However, anyone with medical issues should consult with their physician prior to applying the program. The program is also not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and anyone under the age of 18.
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Who Developed This Program Kidney Disease Solution Program
The Kidney Disease Solution was created by Duncan Capicchiano and his wife, Fiona Chin, from Melbourne, Australia. They established a wellness center in Melbourne with more than 13 natural health therapists.
Fully certified Naturopaths, the two are both trained in herbal and natural medicine.
The program was initially designed as an alternative treatment option for Fionas grandmother who was diagnosed with stage 4 renal disease. The couple developed an all-natural treatment plan that resulted in the improvement of her condition in only 12 weeks. After 6 months of treatment, she changed from stage 4 to stage 1 and she was able to live a healthy life for another 10 years.
After their successes with Fionas mother They decided to start a company and share their approach to treatment to those suffering from kidney diseases.
What Is A Renal Diet
Unfortunately there is no permanent treatment/cure for kidney failure, only strategies to keep someone with kidney disease as stable and healthy as possible. One of these strategies is following a kidney disease diet that limits intake of certain nutrients, in order to cut down on the amount of waste in their blood. Thats because the kidneys are needed to properly balance ratios of water, salt and other minerals in the blood therefore, kidney dysfunction can lead to abnormal mineral levels.
What does a renal diet mean? A renal diet eating plan is one that restricts sodium, potassium and phosphorus intake, since people with kidney disease/kidney issues need to monitor how much of these nutrients they consume. These three micronutrients can accumulate in the blood and contribute to problems like high blood pressure , swelling and fluid retention, heart arrhythmias , bone disorders, and vascular calcifications.
Based on recent research findings, some experts worry that prescribing the traditional renal diet to patients encourages them to eat Western-type diets instead that are high in red meat, packaged products made with lots of preservatives and additives, and foods made with refined grains and sugars.
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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
Renal Diet Foods List
If you intend to follow a healthy renal diet plan, the first step to take is to stock your kitchen with the right foods. Youll also need to educate yourself on renal diet restrictions and be careful to avoid foods that contribute too much sodium, potassium and phosphorus to your diet.
In recent years, advice about the best diet for people with kidney disease has started shifting. A 2017 study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that healthy dietary patterns, as opposed to a traditional renal diet, were associated with lower mortality in people with kidney disease. Healthy eating patterns referred to diets that included fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains and high-fiber foods, while also limiting red meat, sodium and refined sugar intake.
This finding is noteworthy because it goes against the traditional renal diet guidelines that were recommended in the past. Recent findings from the DIET-HD multi-national cohort study that included over 8,000 hemodialysis patients also showed that a high adherence to the Mediterranean or DASH-type diet was not associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality, and actually helped reduce mortality risk.
Based on the latest research, here are renal diet foods to eat:
And here are renal diet foods and ingredients to avoid:
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Diet And Kidney Disease
Dietary restrictions vary depending on the level of kidney damage.
For example, people in the early stages of kidney disease have different restrictions than those with kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease .
If you have kidney disease, your health care provider will determine the best diet for your needs.
For most people with advanced kidney disease, its important to follow a kidney-friendly diet that helps decrease the amount of waste in the blood.
This diet is often referred to as a renal diet.
It helps boost kidney function while preventing further damage .
While dietary restrictions vary, its commonly recommended that all people with kidney disease restrict the following nutrients:
- Sodium.Sodium is found in many foods and a major component of table salt. Damaged kidneys cant filter out excess sodium, causing its blood levels to rise. Its often recommended to limit sodium to less than 2,000 mg per day (
Signs And Symptoms Of Kidney Issues
What is renal failure , and what are some symptoms that someone might be experiencing it? Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop working well enough to keep someone alive. This condition is characterized as sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to excrete wastes, concentrate urine, conserve electrolytes and maintain fluid balance.
Acute kidney injury is the term commonly used to describe patients whose kidneys suddenly stop functioning as they normally should. Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of normal/healthy kidney function.
Some patients with kidney issues or even kidney disease wont experience any obvious symptoms. However, if sudden failure of the kidneys occurs, this quickly becomes an emergency situation as symptoms tend to progress quickly.
Kidney disease symptoms tend to worsen with time and can begin with:
- Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- High blood pressure
Kidney failure symptoms normally include:
What increases someones risk for kidney issues? Risk factors for experiencing kidney disease/kidney failure include:
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Renal Diet Foods List And Eating Plan For Kidney Disease
What diet is best for kidney disease? According to the American Society for Nutrition, The renal diet is commonly recommended for those with late stages of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Many people with these kidney conditions are undergoing renal replacement therapy, also called hemodialysis, but additionally require dietary changes in order to avoid potentially serious complications.
What do you eat on a renal diet? Among kidney expects, this is actually a point a controversy, since there are a number of renal diet restrictions that are now being questioned. While the renal diet has been used for many years to reduce complications among people with kidney disease, the diet is restrictive and not without criticism.
Theres growing concern that renal diet restrictions limit intake of important micronutrients , polyphenols, and dietary fiber, since many foods that need to be reduced/avoided are good sources of these essential nutrients. For example, a traditional renal diet involves avoidance or limitations of food group including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and nuts and recent research shows this can increase the risk for other health problems tied overall low nutrient intake.
Bonus #: Free Lifetime Email Support
Youre likely to require assistance at some point or another during the program. This benefit lets you contact their expert and knowledgeable team of natural health professionals from any location and anytime. You can contact their customer support staff any questions you have about the program. The team also conducts frequent follow-ups with customers to check on their progress over time.
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Oranges And Orange Juice
While oranges and orange juice are arguably most well known for their vitamin C content, theyre also rich sources of potassium.
One large orange provides 333 mg of potassium. Moreover, there are 473 mg of potassium in 1 cup of orange juice .
Given their potassium content, oranges and orange juice likely need to be avoided or limited on a renal diet.
Grapes, apples, and cranberries, as well as their respective juices, are all good substitutes for oranges and orange juice, as they have lower potassium contents.
SUMMARY
Oranges and orange juice are high in potassium and should be limited on a renal diet. Try grapes, apples, cranberries, or their juices instead.
Processed meats are meats that have been salted, dried, cured, or canned.
Some examples include hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, jerky, and sausage.
Processed meats typically contain large amounts of salt, mostly to improve their taste and preserve flavor.
Therefore, it may be difficult to keep your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg if processed meats are abundant in your diet.
Additionally, processed meats are high in protein.
If you have been told to monitor your protein intake, its important to limit processed meats for this reason as well.
SUMMARY
Processed meats are high in salt and protein and should be consumed in moderation on a renal diet.
Pickles, processed olives, and relish are all examples of cured or pickled foods.
Usually, large amounts of salt are added during the curing or pickling process.
SUMMARY
Eating Right For Chronic Kidney Disease
You may need to change what you eat to manage your chronic kidney disease . Work with a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan that includes foods that you enjoy eating while maintaining your kidney health.
The steps below will help you eat right as you manage your kidney disease. The first three steps are important for all people with kidney disease. The last two steps may become important as your kidney function goes down.
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Why Is An Eating Plan Important
What you eat and drink affects your health. Staying at a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet that is low in salt and fat can help you control your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, you can help control your blood sugar by carefully choosing what you eat and drink. Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes may help prevent kidney disease from getting worse.
A kidney-friendly diet may also help protect your kidneys from further damage. A kidney-friendly diet limits certain foods to prevent the minerals in those foods from building up in your body.