Damaged kidneys become a big deal and makes everything you eat and drink a big deal. It's important for people with damaged kidneys to consume foods that are rich in nutrients that can be easily absorbed by the body. What is also important is for the kidneys process of removing waste products to be made easy since the kidneys are underperforming due to being damaged. It only makes sense why there need to be a change of diet for people suffering any type kidney disease, or even a minor infection.
What is a renal diet?
Renal diet is known to boost kidney function while protecting kidneys from further damage. Going through a renal diet means being cautious and taking charge of the amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein and many other food properties you eat on a daily basis. Renal diet helps your kidneys as it's made up of eating kidney-friendly foods that can boost your kidney function and without further straining your kidneys.
Renal diet SPPP measurements
SPPP= Sodium, Potassium, phosphorus and Protein
Sodium - Damages kidneys can't filter out excess sodium, causing its blood levels to rise. It's recommended to limit sodium to less than 2000 mg per day.
Potassium- Potassium can build up in your blood to harmful levels, obviously with damaged kidneys your relationship with too "much potassium" is not going to work as your damaged kidneys won't be able to clear out excess potassium in your blood. This is also recommended for diabetes patients.
Phosphorus- Dietary phosphorus/ phosphate is restricted to less than 800-1,000 mg per day in most kidney disease patients.
Protein- Protein waste can't be cleared out properly by damaged kidneys, It's recommended that protein don't be over consumed but just taken with reasonable balanced portions. However, those with end stage renal disease undergoing dialysis have greater protein need.
What foods are good for kidney health?
We have been gifted with so many types of different healthy foods, BUT having kidney disease; you want to only eat kidney-friendly healthy foods, And that is why we are talking about renal diet and its chosen food today.
Here are some of the kidney health recommended foods:
6 kidney friendly foods
Cauliflower
Besides cauliflower being rich in vitamin C,K and B, cauliflower is a good source of anti-inflammatory compounds and has been proven to be having less sodium, phosphorus and potassium, making it a kidney-friendly vegetable.
Red grapes
Red grapes are high in Resveratrol , making red grapes a kidney-friendly type of a grape. Resveratrol promotes good kidney function and as well as protecting kidneys from easily getting infected.
Blueberries
Blueberries are nutrient rich fruits which contain vitamin A,C,K, dietary fibre and potassium. All these minerals have healing and infection-preventing properties, making blueberries super fruits.
Egg whites
Eggs yolks are excluded because they are really high in phosphorus making yolks not kidney friendly for damaged kidneys. Phosphorus is good but too much of it can really weight down the kidneys.
Egg white are a good source of protein plus they are very low on phosphorus, which makes them a bonus for kidney function.
Skinless chicken
Chicken skin is high in fat and cholesterol putting you at risk of LDL cholesterol and and high blood pressure, Which is a no no for both diabetes patients and and kidney disease patients. Not to mention increasing the chances of heart disease.
One healthy best part of chicken are chicken breasts, for containing less phosphorus, potassium and sodium.
Macadamia Nuts
In general most nuts are really rich in nutrients and high is phosphorus. What excludes macadamia nuts is that these nuts contain all those general nutrients of nuts, But are low in phosphorus, making Macadamia nuts stand out as kidney-friendly nuts.
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