The Renal Diet

Choosing Kidney Friendly Foods

This article contains general information about a renal or "kidney healthy" diet. Although the information is meant specifically for patients who already have kidney disease, these guidelines might also be helpful for anyone who has a family history of kidney disease and may be worried about getting it in the future. These guidelines will also be helpful for anyone who cooks or prepares meals regularly for a kidney disease patient.

Your diet plays a huge part in managing renal disease. A healthy renal diet depends

• level of kidney function,
• body size,
• other medical conditions or factors.

Foods that fall into five groups can have a significant impact on renal health, and it's helpful to be aware of them as part of a kidney diet. These groups are

1. Fluids
2. Phosphorus
3. Potassium
4. Protein
5. Sodium

 We'll look at each of these one at a time.

Fluids

Kidneys filter the fluids that pass through your body, and a diseased kidney cannot carry out this function as well as a normal kidney. So it's important in a renal diet to limit fluid intake while still providing the fluids the body needs to function.

Your doctor will help you determine how much is good and how much i s "too much." Meanwhile, it's a good idea to be wary--not just of "pure" fluids like water, beer, wine, sodas, tea, coffee, etc--but also any solid food that melts into a liquid in your body. These would include such foods as popsicles, ice cream or ice cubes.

Taking in too much fluid can cause swelling, high blood pressure and shortness of breath.

Phosphorus

Your body combines phosphorus with calcium to maintain bones and teeth. It also facilitates nerve and muscle function.

Someone with kidney disease has trouble with phosphorus balances. Calcium levels tend to decrease, and the body begins to take the calcium it needs from the bones. As a result, bones weaken.

This also leaves the body with more phosphorus than it needs, which can result in itchy skin, bone and joint pain, and brittle bones.

Foods that are high in phosphorus content include caramel, cheese, chicken livers, beef liver, ice cream, many kinds of nuts, and peanut butter. Fluids that have a lot of phosphorus include beer and cola drinks.

Potassium

Your body needs potassium to keep nerves and muscles properly, but too much can cause an irregular heart beat. But almost all foods contain some level of potassium, so it's important to remember that eating a huge portion of food--even if it contains low potassium levels--can be an invitation for trouble.

Someone on a renal diet would want to watch out for high levels of potassium in apricots, bananas, beets, bran & bran products, broccoli, cantaloupe, chocolate, coffee, collard, mushrooms, mustard, oranges, potatoes, prunes, raisins, salt substitute, and tomatoes.

Protein

Protein maintains muscles, builds resistance to infections, and repairs body tissues. But eating too much protein results in excess waste in your system, which accelerates kidney disease.

High protein foods include meat and poultry products (including eggs) that are staples of most diets. Someone following a renal diet would probably be advised by their doctor to stick with low protein foods like fresh beans (pinto, kidney, navy), grains and vegetables.

But you're still going to need at least some protein in your diet.So talk to your doctor about getting the right balance.

Sodium

Sodium, better known as salt, has a bad reputation, especially for those who have hypertension or high blood pressure. But the fact is, your body needs sodium to function. Sodium helps control muscle contractions, balance fluids, and maintain blood pressure.

The kidneys remove excess sodium by making urine. But when the kidneys aren't functioning properly, sodium can build up, causing fluids to accumulate. This leads to swelling and bloating, especially in areas of the face and joints.

To maintain a renal-healthy sodium level, be wary of the following foods:

• bacon
• bouillon cubes
• canned vegetables
• canned, dehydrated, or instant soup
• cheese
• cold Cuts
• nuts
• potato chips
• processed dinner mixes
• table salt

Conclusion

A renal diet is virtually a must with declining kidney function. As kidney disease progresses, you get closer and closer to the time you'll need dialysis, which will bring major changes in your quality of life. Anything you can do to delay the need for renal dialysis is a good thing, and following a smart renal diet might be your most important step.
 

 
Would you like to learn more about a healthy renal diet? Type a keyword or phrase into the box below and click on "Search" 

Custom Search  
 

 

  Kidney Problems RSS Feed