You may need to change your diet and your respective eating habits to manage your chronic kidney disease (CKD). While seeking treatment for kidney disease, ask your dietitian to develop a meal plan that includes foods that you enjoy eating but at the same time, they do not cause any adverse effect on your kidneys.
Choose & Prepare Foods with Less Salt & Sodium – This is because such foods help you control your blood pressure. Each day in your diet you should consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium.
• Always buy fresh foods. Many packaged foods that you buy at the supermarkets or at restaurants contain sodium.
• Cook foods from scratch instead of eating prepared foods, “fast” foods, frozen dinners, and canned foods for they have higher sodium content.
• When you prepare the food on your own, you keep a check over the ingredients and vegetables and other things.
• In place of salt, try to use spices, herbs, and sodium-free seasonings. Check for sodium on the Nutrition Facts label of food packages.
• In case of frozen dinners and other convenience foods, select those foods that have lower-sodium versions. Thoroughly rinse canned vegetables, beans, meats, and fish with water before eating.
Eat the Right Quantity and Right Type of Proteins – This is to protect your kidneys from disease. When your body uses protein, it produces waste. Kidneys help in removal of this waste. If you happen to eat more protein, your kidneys will have to work all the harder.
• Eat small portion of protein-based foods
• Protein is found in foods from plants and animals. Most people eat both types of plant and animal-based protein
Choose Foods & Drinks with Less Phosphorous – A check on phosphorous will help in the protection of bones and blood vessels. When the person suffers from CKD, phosphorus gets build up in the blood. Too much phosphorus in your blood pulls calcium from your bones, making your bones thin, weak, and more likely to break. On the other hand, high level of phosphorous in your blood can cause itchy skin, and bone and joint pain.
• Many packaged foods contain a remarkable amount of phosphorus
• Deli meats and some fresh meat and poultry can have added phosphorus
Choose Foods With Right Amount of Potassium – This is because it will help your nerves and muscles to work the right way. When the blood potassium level is either too low or high, it can lead to problems. Damaged kidneys allow potassium to build up in your blood, which can result in serious heart problems. Always select food and drinks that lower the potassium level.
• Salt substitutes can be very high in potassium
• Rinse and drain canned fruits and vegetables before eating
Diet and nutrition play a very vital role in well-being of those suffering from kidney disease. As your kidney disease progresses, your dietary needs are likely to undergo change as well. The main purpose of the diet is to maintain the levels of electrolytes, minerals, and fluid in your body when you’re seeking treatment for kidney disease or when you are on dialysis.