Diet For Kidney Patients: What Should You Eat And Avoid?

Chronic kidney diseases could cause a gradual loss of kidney functions. Kidneys are responsible for removing excess fluids and waste products from the body. Dangerous levels of fluids, electrolytes and waste could lead to kidney failure and advanced chronic kidney diseases. Eating the right diet could help control and reduce symptoms of kidney diseases. We spoke to Ms. Usha Joshi, Clinical Nutritionist at Fatima Hospital, Lucknow to know about diet plans for kidney diseases. 

Diet Plan for Chronic Kidney Diseases

Here is the diet plan you should consider for reducing your kidney problems. We have also consulted the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Health for reference.

1. Eat Foods with Less Salt and Sodium

1. You need to be very careful about the sodium and salt intake. Your diet should contain less than 2300 mg of sodium each day. 
2. Try to add fresh fruits and vegetables. Packed food items might contain sodium components to increase the shelf life of the food item.
3. Cook food at home from scratch, it helps to control the sodium. Food prepared in the restaurants have relatively high sodium content.
4. Use spices, herbs, and sodium free seasoning in your meals
5. Rinse canned vegetables or food items such as meats, fish, beans, etc. to remove excessive sodium. 

2. Choose Right Type of Proteins

Do not blindly eat proteins. It does help to protect the kidneys from inflammation but only when consumed in moderation. Eating more proteins in your diet can make your kidney function hard.

Eat small portion of protein diets

Have a mix of proteins from both plant and animal sources to maintain dietary components.

Kidney patients can have chicken, fish, meat, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts and grains in their diet. 

Also Read- 5 Common Misconceptions That Indian Parents Have About Child Nutrition

3. Try Heart Friendly Diet

Heart friendly diet means to have foods that help in circulation of blood and keep blood pressure in control. For this you can follow these steps in order to bring about some positive changes in your chronic kidney condition.

• Eat more grilled, baked, roasted foods instead of deep fried items.
• Cook in non-stick so that less oil is soaked by the foods
• Trim the skin of meat in order to reduce bad fats or carbohydrates
• Limit your saturated fats or trans fats

Foods for heart health are-

• Fish
• Beans 
• Fruits
• Poultry 
• Leaner cuts of meat
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese

4. Consume Food and Drinks that have less Phosphorus

In order to protect your bones and blood vessels from harm, you need to limit your intake of phosphorus in the diet. Too much phosphorus could actually pull out calcium from the bones. It could make them thin and brittle. 

Packed foods could actually have more phosphorus than freshly made products.

Also Read- Blue Tea, Jasmine Tea and 5 Other Refreshing Alternatives To Milk Tea

5. Eat Right Amount of Potassium

In order to treat your kidney problems, you need to have control over the potassium you are consuming. If the blood potassium levels are too high or too low, then it could damage your kidneys and result in kidney failure. Choices of foods and drinks could lower your potassium levels.

• Salt substitutes should be especially avoided. Check the ingredients labels. 
• Drain cancer fruits, vegetables before eating. 
• You need to check with your doctor as medications also increase potassium content in your body.