When you have a diagnosis of kidney disease you need to make changes in your diet. The objective of this nutrition is to help patients who have kidney disease or who are on dialysis maintain a balance of electrolytes, minerals and fluid. Patients who are on dialysis need a special diet to limit the build-up of waste products in their body.
Waste products can also form in between dialysis medications. Check out the “No Dialysis Needed” program is a step-by-step treatment program which helps improve your kidneys naturally, without the use of unnatural man-made pharmaceutical drugs.
This usually means doing the following:
- Limiting fluids
- Excessive water consumption does not inhibit kidney disease.
- In fact, the physician may recommend restriction of water intake.
- Here are some helpful tips:
- Start a chart to record how much liquid you take in and how much you pass out.
- Avoid eating too many foods that hold a plenty of water like ice cream, soups, popsicles, melons, tomatoes, grapes, celery, and lettuce.
- Use tinier glasses and turn over your cup after you have finished it.
- Try to avoid salty foods and snacks that may make you feel thirsty
- Refrigerate some juice in an ice cube dish and eat it like a Popsicle (remember to calculate these ice dies in your regular amount of liquids)
- Try to stay cool on hot days e.g. by sitting in the shade or an air-conditioned room
- Consuming a low-protein food (this may be prescribed)
- Limiting protein consumption may reduce the succession of a kidney condition. A dietician can assist one resolve the proper measure of protein
- Restricting salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes
Salt
Limit your salt intake to avoid fluid retention and help control high blood pressure. Checking the labels on the food you buy can help you reduce the amount of salt you eat – terms such as Unsalted, no salt added, low sodium, sodium free and reduced sodium are what you should be looking for.
Look at where salt appears on the list of ingredients. If it is near the beginning of the list, you should avoid t.hat food.
Checking how much salt per serving is listed on the packet should also help you decide whether you should stay away from that food. Talk to your dietician or dialysis nurse about the levels of salt that are safe for you.
Restrict the volume of salt you supplement while cooking – herbs can flavor food enough for some persons, so they do not need to add salt.
Potassium
Normal levels of potassium help your heart beat steadily however abnormal levels can cause irregular heartbeats which can be life threatening. Limiting your intake of potassium is necessary for advanced kidney disease too because the kidneys are unable to remove potassium. Extraordinary levels of potassium can cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Fruits
- Select pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, tangerines, apples, and berries.
- Restrict or duck nectarines, orange juice and oranges, Kiwis, raisins or other dried fruit, cantaloupe, prunes, bananas, and honeydew.
Vegetables
- Prefer zucchini, cauliflower, onion, peppers, broccoli, carrots, eggplant, cucumber, lettuce, yellow squash cabbage, watercress, celery, and green and wax beans.
- Limit or duck potatoes, asparagus, winter squash, avocado, tomatoes, pumpkin, avocado, and cooked spinach
Phosphorus
Decreasing phosphorus consumption is suggested to protect bones. Beans, cola drinks, eggs, and dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk are examples of foods high in phosphorus.
Some dairy foods like tub margarine, heavy cream, cream cheese, sherbet cheese, brie cheese, butter ricotta cheese and nondairy whipped toppings are lower in phosphorous.
Because excess phosphorus affects the amount of calcium in the bones, you may need to take calcium supplements. Vitamin D supplements may also be necessary to help balance the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
- Taking sufficient calories if you are losing weight
Your dietician should be able to advise you on what your ideal weight should be. This would help you to identify your daily calorie intake needs so that they are sufficient to retain you healthily and inhibit the disruption of body tissue.
You may also need to look at the following:
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are a great element of energy for the body. However, you may need to limit the volume of carbohydrates you eat especially if you are overweight or have diabetes.
Some carbohydrate based foods may make suitable substitutes if you are on a low-protein diet so that you can replace the calories and provide you with the energy you need. Fruits, bread, grains, and vegetables not only provide the energy they also provide you with fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Hard candies, sugar, honey, and jelly are also high calorie. Pies, cakes, cookies or other high-calorie desserts can be a sweet treat as long as you restrict desserts made with chocolate, dairy, bananas, or nuts.
Fats
Fats can be a good source of calories. Care must be taken to protect your arteries and not risk increasing your cholesterol levels so you should stick to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil).
Proteins
Fish, poultry, pork or eggs may be recommended if you need to replace lost tissue and muscles. In some cases, your dietician may suggest adding egg whites, egg white powder or protein powder to your diet.
Iron
Patients with high-level kidney failure customarily need extra iron. Foods such as liver, beef, pork, chicken, lima beans, kidney beans, and iron-fortified cereals are rich in iron. You should talk with your dietician or dialysis nurse about which is right for you. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe supplements.
