Chronic kidney disease or kidney disease is the inability of the kidneys to function properly and failure to extract excess fluid. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs of the renal system located at the base of the rib cage on either side of the spine. The kidneys are necessary to maintain the mineral balance in the body and to create a hormone that promotes the formation of red blood cells. There are several causes of kidney damage. Some common risk factors are age, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, alcohol use disorder, and hepatitis C virus. Your body absorbs the nutrients needed for fuel when you eat and drink. Anything unnecessary is carried to the kidneys through the blood. The kidneys use urine to flush out excess nutrients. An overload of certain nutrients can weaken your kidneys if you have kidney disease. However, a renal diet can protect your kidneys from harm.
Reducing kidney damage is directly proportional to how well you manage your health. The simplest solution to prevent kidney problems is to avoid foods that cause damage. Therefore, nutrition is key to controlling kidney disease and your overall health. Additionally, limiting the number of minerals and fluids you consume may help avoid fluid and waste buildup and the following difficulties.
The renal diet: an overview
Kidney disease is a kidney problem that prevents the kidneys from filtering blood as they normally would. It allows your blood to accumulate a lot of salt, potassium, phosphorous, and protein waste. This can worsen kidney failure and lead to excessive fluid retention in your body. The renal diet supports healthy kidney function in people with kidney disease.
The renal diet is low in protein, phosphorous and salt (sodium). It emphasizes the need for high-quality protein and often restricts fluid intake. Limiting potassium and calcium may also be necessary for some people. Additionally, it helps manage fluids so that you don’t retain too much fluid. The severity of the disease will determine how much protein, salt, potassium, and phosphorous you can eat. Since each individual’s body is unique, you should consult a nutritionist to create a customized diet that suits your requirements.
HealthifyMe Note
The kidneys are small but powerful bean-shaped organs that have many vital functions. Your body may accumulate waste and fluid if your kidneys aren’t working properly. It may eventually lead to problems with the heart, bones, and other organs. In addition, the foods you eat directly affect your kidneys. Therefore, if you have kidney disease, you should know which foods you should eat and which foods you should avoid.
Foods to include in a renal diet
Adjusting the diet is vital for people with kidney disease. Although the modifications are not very restrictive, you should avoid foods that can do more harm. It is preferable to eat fresh, whole foods on a renal diet over canned, frozen or canned foods. Whole foods are better for your kidneys and the rest of your body because they naturally contain less salt and are more nutrient-dense.
The following foods are some of the options to consider:
Protein choices
Protein is essential for strong kidneys, but you should not overconsume it if the kidneys cannot eliminate excess waste. In addition, chronic kidney patients should take care to consume the right amount of protein because the amount varies according to the stage of the disease. However, research has found that people with end-stage renal disease who receive dialysis — a procedure that filters and cleans the blood — have higher protein requirements.
Many excellent protein options include:
- Chicken or turkey without skin
- Seafood or fish.
- egg.
- Kidney pills.
- Lentils and tofu. Since they have a higher proportion of potassium and phosphorous than other foods, they should be eaten in moderation.
Fruits and vegetables
You may need to avoid or eat small amounts of many fruits and vegetables because they are high in potassium.
Delicious fruits and vegetables that are low in potassium include:
- An apple
- blackberries
- cherry
- pineapple
- Strawberry
- Bean
- cabbage
- Cucumber
- lettuce
- paprika
- zucchini
Grain and starch choices
Whole grains are rich in potassium. So you may need to reduce the number of whole grains you eat and portion sizes.
Some nutritious options that are lower in potassium are:
- barley
- bulgur
- roti
- White rice
- Popcorn without salt
Foods to avoid in a renal diet
Disease severity has the greatest impact on dietary restrictions in renal disease. The three food categories that you should stay away from are:
Foods that are high in potassium
You should limit your potassium intake and stay away from potassium-rich foods such as:
- banana
- watermelon
- orange
- raisins
- peach
- avocado
- Potato
- Tomatoes
- spinach
- root vegetables
- brown rice
- wild rice
Liquids
If you have kidney disease and are undergoing some treatment, you may need to reduce your fluid intake. You may also need to limit foods that contain a lot of moisture. Soups and melted meals like ice cream and gelatin, for example, contain a lot of water. The water content is also high in many fruits and vegetables. So it should be avoided.
Phosphorous-rich foods
Phosphorous can build up in your blood when your kidneys aren’t working properly. As a result, patients with kidney disease should limit phosphorous intake.
Foods that are high in phosphorous should be avoided. Some examples are:
- Bread and whole grains
- Oatmeal and bran cereal
- Sunflower seeds and nuts
- Dark Cola
sodium
Sodium is a critical component of a variety of foods, including table salt of course. But unfortunately, your kidneys cannot excrete the extra salt if you have kidney disease.
Stay away or reduce your intake of these sodium-rich foods:
- crackers
- salted popcorn
- Chips
- Soup or stew in cans
- olive
- Pickled and pickled vegetables
- sauces
- cheese
- bacon
- sausage
- Rice or noodles in a package
HealthifyMe Note
The renal diet is not a generalized eating plan. Therefore, everyone should not follow the same eating plan because the requirements of the body differ from person to person. As a result, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet while making appropriate adjustments to your unique requirements. Additionally, you may have other medical conditions that require a different eating strategy. Hence, for the most unique nutritional advice, speak with a dietitian. They will give you the best solutions to keep you healthy.
The reference diet plan for college
- Breakfast: a cup of scrambled eggs and half a cup of oatmeal with blueberries and black coffee.
- Mid meal: 1 pear
- Lunch: 1 cup rice + 2 chapati + 1/2 cup eel dal + 1 cup cabbage Sabzi
- Evening: 1 cup of unsalted popcorn + 12 cups of tea
- Dinner: a cup of chicken rice + half a cup of fried zucchini
conclusion
Kidney disorders develop over time. It can be severe if not treated at an early stage. A balanced diet is beneficial for most people with kidney disease. Eating different healthy meals is essential to maintaining good health as it will reduce the risk of heart disease and help you control your blood pressure and sugar levels. In addition, it plays an important role in preventing further kidney damage by giving you the right type and amount of food that will eventually make your kidneys healthy.
It is crucial to consult a nutritionist for the best guidance. They will ensure that things do not go wrong and help the kidneys repair and recover.
