Eating the right foods can significantly impact your health, including the health of your kidneys. Whether it’s choosing snacks on the go or fueling your body with nutritious ingredients, each choice can make a difference in maintaining kidney health. It’s crucial to be mindful of incorporating kidney-friendly foods into your diet.
In today’s video, we’re sharing 12 nutritional recommendations that can help protect and preserve your kidneys, in conjunction with advice from your doctor, of course. Make sure to watch the entire video to get all the details and information so you can make informed decisions about nourishing and protecting your kidneys for life.
Our kidneys play numerous vital roles throughout the body. They filter waste and surplus water from the blood, regulate electrolytes, manage blood pressure and blood sugars, and even regulate pH levels. Additionally, the kidneys produce various hormones, including vitamin D and erythropoietin, which are essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune system function, and red blood cell production.
The kidneys are constantly working, processing more than 200 quarts of blood and getting rid of more than two quarts of waste and water every day.
A healthy kidney filters around half a cup of blood each minute to remove waste and excess water, which then passes to the bladder through the urinary tract. It’s crucial for the entire urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, and ureters, to function properly to eliminate waste and maintain overall health. More than 40 million American adults have kidney disease, with many unaware of their condition. Chronic kidney disease, especially when linked with cardiovascular disease, is a prevalent concern. Various factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and autoimmune disorders, can contribute to kidney inflammation and damage over time.
Symptoms of kidney disease may not manifest until the condition is advanced, but signs can include itchy dry skin, frequent urination, fatigue, foamy urine, and swelling in the feet and ankles. High blood pressure and diabetes are major contributors to kidney damage, affecting the tiny filtering units within the kidneys known as nephrons.
10 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
Red bell peppers: Red bell peppers are low in potassium and high in flavor, making them a really versatile food option for those with kidney disease. They are also a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, folic acid, and fiber. They can be eaten raw with dip as a snack, roasted and added to your favorite salad or sandwich, or chopped and sauteed into a stir fry. The options are endless. Other vegetables to promote kidney health include cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Blueberries are considered a “superfood” and for good reason. Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are also a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C. When they’re in season, pick them up at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. You can also purchase frozen berries in the off-season or if that makes them more convenient to throw into a smoothie. For some variety, strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries are also foods that are good to eat if you have kidney disease.
Garlic: If your body is used to consuming foods plagued with additives such as salt, you might think that switching to a kidney-friendly diet is bland, but it doesn’t have to be. Garlic is a great way to give your food an extra boost of flavor. It also helps fight plaque, lowers cholesterol, and reduces inflammation. Of course, it’s always best to buy fresh, but garlic powder is okay too. Just make sure you steer clear of garlic salt.
Egg whites: Proteins are the building blocks of the body. But for kidney disease patients, it should be consumed thoughtfully and in moderation. Egg whites have less phosphorus than other sources of protein and offer all of the essential amino acids. If you prefer to get your protein from meat, opt for a fish like salmon which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, or lean cuts of red meat such as a loin or round.
Onions: Another great way to add flavor to any food, onions have health benefits, too. They are low in potassium and rich in flavonoids–a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce heart disease and protect against cancer. Onions are also a good source of chromium–a mineral proven to improve the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Foods to Avoid
Soda: Not only are they high in sugar and calories, but additives to extend shelf life and prevent discoloration. Dark-colored soft drinks especially are loaded with phosphorus, an additive that is easily absorbed by the body.
Avocados: Often touted for their health benefits, you may be surprised to find avocados on our list of foods you may need to avoid. In addition to being rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, they are also rich in potassium–a mineral many kidney patients may need to limit.
Canned foods: From vegetables to soups and beans, the convenience of canned foods are hard to deny. But, the extended shelf life that these products offer come at a cost. Salt is commonly used to preserve these products, making them high in sodium. If you must purchase canned foods, opt for those that are labeled “no salt added.”
Dairy: While dairy products such as milk and yogurt are great sources of vitamins and nutrients, over-consumption can be detrimental to those with kidney disease. Dairy products are rich in phosphorus, and potassium and are a good source of protein. On their own, they may be fine but combined with other phosphorus-rich foods the effects can be detrimental. Research shows that when the kidneys are damaged, too much phosphorus consumption can cause a buildup of phosphorus in the blood. This can make your bones thin and weak over time and increase the risk of bone breakage or fracture.
Processed meats: If you’re noticing a trend here, that’s because there is. Foods that have been processed or created to remain shelf-stable for extended periods that otherwise would expire in their natural state should be avoided as much as possible. In the case of processed meats, these products have typically been salted, dried, cured, or even canned, making foods such as hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, jerky, and sausage high in sodium. These foods are also high in protein–another area of your diet that those with kidney disease are advised to monitor closely.
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 isn’t so much about eliminating a ton of foods, but more about portion control and finding the right balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates to ensure you are consuming enough calories and nutrients.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and staying hydrated, can help lower the risk of kidney problems. Additionally, dietary choices play a significant role in kidney health.
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