Healthy kidneys maintain the proper balance of salts and minerals in the blood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes the kidneys to be unable to filter your blood as effectively as they should. What you eat and drink may assist your kidneys in maintaining a healthy balance of salts and minerals in your body, as well as making you feel better.
Consuming the correct meals and avoiding foods rich in salt, potassium, and phosphorus may help to prevent or postpone various CKD-related health issues. What you eat and drink may also have an impact on the effectiveness of your kidney disease therapies. For those with severe CKD, understanding how calories, lipids (fats), protein, and liquids influence the body is critical.
Nutritional requirements shift as CKD progresses. Your health care provider may advise you to pick meals more carefully and to work with a qualified dietitian to develop an eating plan tailored to your specific requirements.
Why is knowledge about calories important?
Your body gets energy from the meals and beverages you consume. Calories are the unit of measurement for energy. You may lose weight if you consume less calories than your body utilizes. Losing too much weight might make you ill.
Calories give your body with the energy it requires to function. They are important because they:
- Assist you in maintaining a healthy body weight
- Provide you with the energy to do your daily duties and be active
- Assist your body in using protein from diet to develop muscle.
If you aren't receiving enough calories and don't have diabetes, you should eat additional jam, jelly, hard candy, honey, or syrup. Fats like soft margarine and oils like canola or olive oil are also good sources of calories.
Why is it important to understand fats?
Your body needs fat for energy, blood pressure and cholesterol regulation, and vitamin absorption. In addition to providing necessary nutrients, fat plays a crucial role in a balanced diet.
While all people require some fat in their diets, consuming too much or the improper kinds of fats can lead to accumulation in your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. People with CKD should reduce their intake of fat since it increases their risk of heart disease.
Saturated fats and trans fats are unhealthy substitutes for monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, which may be found in foods like canola oil, maize oil, peanut oil, and safflower oil. Trans fats and saturated fats can block blood arteries and cause cholesterol levels to rise. Animal items including red meat, chicken, and butter include saturated fats, which are typically solid at room temperature.
Along with fried meals and hydrogenated vegetable oils like margarine and vegetable shortening, trans fats are frequently found in baked products and fried foods.
By substituting healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for trans and saturated fats in your diet, you may protect your heart and lower your risk of developing heart disease. Discuss the best methods to incorporate healthy fats into your diet with a nutritionist or other healthcare expert.
Also read: Healthy Fats And Oil Options - Kidney Disease And Diabetes
Why is it important to understand protein ?
Protein aids in the development and maintenance of muscle, bone, skin, connective tissue, internal organs, and blood. Protein also aids in the fight against sickness and the healing of wounds. Protein degrades into waste in your body as it is used, which your kidneys must eliminate from the blood.
Protein should be consumed in moderation by patients with CKD, according to medical authorities. However, eating too little protein may result in malnutrition, a condition in which your body does not receive enough nutrients. A dietitian can assist you in understanding and adjusting the amount and sources of protein in your diet.
Protein is required by the body to help build muscle, heal wounds, and fight infection. Your diet may contain extra protein now that you've started dialysis. Protein may be obtained from:
- Eggs and egg whites
- Beef, veal, lamb, and pork
- Poultry (including chicken and turkey)
- Fish and various types of seafood
- Grains and veggies
Also read: Renal Diet Protein Options For Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Why is it important to understand phosphorus?
Damaged kidneys cannot eliminate phosphorus from the blood as effectively as healthy kidneys. Phosphorus levels in the blood can rise in persons with CKD. Phosphorus in excess can weaken your bones.
Phosphorus is naturally present in protein-rich meals. Many processed meals, flavored beverages, and certain meats contain phosphorus. For many persons with CKD, phosphate supplements are their primary source of phosphorus. those with added phosphorus may cause your blood phosphorus levels to rise higher than those with naturally occurring phosphorus. A nutritionist or other health care expert can assist you in finding methods to get enough protein without consuming too much phosphorus.
As the severity of your kidney disease worsens, you may need to take a phosphate binder with meals to reduce the quantity of phosphorus in your blood. A phosphate binder is a medication that acts like a sponge in the stomach, absorbing or binding phosphorus. The phosphorus does not enter your bloodstream since it is bonded. Instead, phosphorus is removed from your body through your feces.
Phosphorus is found in:
- Dairy goods such as yogurt, cheese, milk and ice cream
- Nut-based products (Peanut butter)
- Dried beans and peas, such as kidney beans, split peas, and lentils
- Beverages such as cocoa, booze, and dark cola drinks
- Bran bread and bran cereals
In packaged goods containing phosphate additions, search for any term in the ingredient list that begins with "PHOS."
Both heart disease and bone disease can be brought on by an excessive blood phosphorus level. You might need to limit phosphorus-rich meals in order to maintain acceptable levels of phosphorus in your blood. A phosphate binder is a class of medication that your doctor could advise you to take together with meals and snacks.
Also read: Top 4 Best Low Phosphorus Meats For Kidney Disease
Why is it important to understand potassium?
Potassium levels in the blood can rise dramatically as a result of CKD making it difficult for the kidneys to eliminate potassium from the body. Heart and muscle issues can result from low or high potassium levels. To ensure that their blood's potassium levels are within normal range, people with CKD should have frequent blood tests.
Your potassium levels may change depending on what you eat and drink. What potassium intake is appropriate for your stage of renal disease should be discussed with a dietician or health care practitioner.
You may reduce potassium levels of your diet by:
- Choosing veggies and fruits with less potassium
- Removing the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables and discarding it to save potassium
- Using herbs and spices rather as salt replacements, which might contain a lot of potassium
- Discussing food preparation and cooking techniques that can reduce the amount of potassium in potatoes and other vegetables with a dietician or health care professional
Your heart and muscles function properly thanks to potassium.
Potassium is present in large levels in:
- Some fruits and vegetables (such as tomatoes, potatoes, oranges, bananas)
- Yogurt and milk
- Peas with dried beans
- Most salt alternatives
Potassium levels in the blood can be dangerously high or low. Your potassium level may be checked with a quick blood test.
Also read: Kidney Disease: High Potassium Foods And Leaching Process
Why is it important to understand calcium?
A mineral called calcium is crucial for developing strong bones. Controlling your blood phosphorus level is the most effective strategy to stop calcium loss from your bones. Your blood vessels, heart, joints, muscles, and skin may develop calcium buildup because your kidneys can no longer eliminate calcium from your body.
To stop your body from accumulating calcium:
- Avoiding foods containing calcium
- Look for "added" minerals like calcium on food labels.
- Enquire about phosphate binders without calcium with your doctor.
Your doctor could advise you to take a particular type of vitamin D to assist maintain healthy calcium levels and fend off bone disease. Unless a medical practitioner advises you to, avoid using calcium or vitamin D supplements that are available over the counter.
Monitoring the amount of fluids you intake
Liquids are necessary for your body to operate correctly. However, because their kidneys are compromised, patients with severe CKD or on dialysis may need to reduce their fluid intake. Drinking too much fluid might make you bloat, increase your blood pressure, and strain your heart. A high salt intake may be indicated by excessive liquid consumption.
To decide how much fluids is ideal for you, see a dietician or other health care provider. If you have any swelling in your face, arms, legs, or abdomen, get in touch with your doctor right once.
Any food or drink that becomes liquid at normal temperature is referred to be fluid. Examples include:
- Ice
- Drinks such as water, coffee, tea, soda, and juice
- Gelatin, ice cream, sherbet, and popsicles
- Soup and gravy
Also read: Fluid Control Tips For Diabetics On Hemodialysis
You might need to restrict your fluid consumption if you have kidney failure. If any of the following applies to you:
- An unexpected gain in weight
- Around the eyes, hands, or feet, there may be edema or puffiness.
- Breathing difficulty
- The blood pressure increasing
Describe any of these issues to your dialysis treatment team.
If you acquire excessive amounts of fluid weight, your dialysis staff will inform you. Ask your dietician for practical suggestions on how to reduce the quantity of liquids you consume.
Recommended: Carbohydrate Counting For Kidney Health And CKD
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