Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease - Slideshow

Developed by Mita Majumdar | Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team on Dec 28, 2013

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Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

The function of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body. The loss of kidney function over time is called chronic kidney disease. The early stage has no symptoms.

As the disease progresses, you will start showing symptoms such as -

► Weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue and nausea

► Dry skin and itching

► Shortness of breath, easy bruising, insomnia, swelling of feet and hands

► Drowsiness, confusion, gradual loss of cognitive skills

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of this disease. If you have kidney disease, you have greater risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation than those without kidney problems.

Why healthy foods for people with kidney disease?

Good nutrition is essential if you have developed kidney disease.

► Supplies energy for your daily tasks and your body's proper functioning

► Builds muscles

► Helps maintain a healthy weight

► Prevents infection

► Prevents the disease from getting worse

However, moderation is the mantra. Too much of even healthy food is not good for kidney disease patients.

Sodium and phosphorus in your diet

There is a build up of extra sodium, phosphorus, and fluid in your body if you have kidney disease.

Your kidneys can't regulate sodium in your body resulting in high blood pressure or swelling of hands and feet.

Similarly, a build up of phosphorus will cause an imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio in the blood. So calcium will be pulled from the bones causing your bones to become weak and break.

Avoid dried beans and peas, dairy products, brans, cola, and salty sauces. Say no to processed foods and salty snacks such as chips.

Herbs and spices

Use herbs and spices such as basil, bay leaf, caraway, cardamom, dill, rosemary, thyme, sage, ginger and garlic instead of salt to spice up your dish.

Use no more than a quarter teaspoon of dried spice per pound of meat and three-fourth teaspoon of fresh herbs per pound of meat.

Apples

Foods containing pectin such as apples, oranges and jam could help reduce the effects of kidney disease, say researchers at the Institute of Child Health, University College London.

Apples in particular are -

► a good source of soluble fiber

► provide 8mg of vitamin C; rich in flavonoids

► flavonoids work in combination with vitamin C to provide excellent antioxidant benefits

► decrease total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol

► regulate blood sugar by slowing down carbohydrate digestion.

Cranberries

High levels of potassium and phosphorus are dangerous for people with chronic kidney disease. So, cranberries are good foods since they have low levels of potassium and phosphorous.

With 1750 ORAC units per 100g, cranberries are one of the most powerful antioxidant foods that help fight inflammation and infection. Pure cranberry juice has properties that fight bacterial infections.

Cranberries protect heart health by reducing atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the artery wall), according to researchers from Mayo Clinic.

Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries

Berries are rich in anti-oxidants that reduce inflammation. These berries also contain lots of fiber, vitamin C, and the mineral manganese which contributes to healthy bones.

A Harvard study published in the journal Circulation reveals that three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may slash a woman's risk of heart attack by as much as 33 percent.

These berries have a high anthocyanin content, which may help dilate arteries, counter the buildup of plaque and provide other cardiovascular benefits.

Another study showed that blueberry diets lowered blood pressure, preserved kidney vascular function and prevented oxidative stress by raising antioxidant defenses in kidneys.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers, especially red bell peppers, have lots of vitamin C, as much as three times more than your daily requirement, and are thus a very good anti-inflammatory food.

Bell peppers help improve appetite by stimulating the secretion of saliva and gastric juice.

Bell pepper is also low in potassium and is thus ideal for kidney disease patients as it improves kidney function. However, some people with kidney disease need more potassium, while others may need less. How much potassium you need depends on how well your kidneys are working. Ask your doctor if you can include bell pepper in your diet.

Cabbage

Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are especially kidney-friendly because they are high in vitamins K and C, high in fiber and a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid, yet these vegetables are low in potassium. In addition their phytochemicals protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Raw cabbage can be included in dialysis diet. But avoid Sauerkraut, which is a lactic acid bacteria fermented sour cabbage, as it is very high in sodium and may exacerbate pre-existing kidney disease or hypertension.

Olive oil

Olive oil and canola oil are unsaturated fats that you need in moderate amounts in your diet to stay healthy.

These oils are recommended in kidney disease diet as they help fight cholesterol and protect against inflammation.

Virgin and extra virgin olive oil are high in antioxidants. Use them in cooking, salads, dips, or marinades.

Fish

Protein is essential for your body to help build muscle, repair tissue and fight infection. But too much of protein can cause a build up of protein wastes in the blood in the person with kidney disease and that is harmful. So consume high quality proteins in moderation.

Fish is a good source of high quality protein. In addition it is high in omega-3 fatty acids that prevent inflammation and diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Include fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and rainbow trout in your meal plan two or three times a week.

Chicken

If you have kidney disease and are also diabetic, then chicken may be your best option for meat. It is a high quality protein and you can consume it in moderation after consulting your doctor.

A Brazilian study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that chicken reduced cholesterol levels and serum creatinine without affecting glycemic control and blood pressure levels.

An ounce of chicken (30g) contains 7g of protein. If you are on dialysis, you may be required to eat about 8 to10 ounces of high protein foods everyday that also includes fish and eggs, especially egg whites.