If you suffer from any chronic kidney disease (CKD), you need to follow a personalized diet to improve kidney function naturally. There is no cure for this condition, but with appropriate dietary changes you can slow down the progression of symptoms. You have to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and limit proteins to healthy ones; you must also reduce the intake of sodium, liquids and minimize that of proteins. For some people it is also recommended to lower potassium and phosphorus consumption. With a little time and effort, you can find a healthy diet that meets your needs; keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, so you need to go to your doctor or dietician to find the one that works for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Eat the Right Foods
Step 1. Choose the right vegetables
When you suffer from kidney problems, you need to pay attention and be aware of the vegetables you eat. Although they represent a fundamental food group for a healthy diet, not all of them are actually suitable for individuals with compromised kidneys; those rich in potassium should in fact be avoided.
- Among those you can consume consider broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, eggplant, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, onions, peppers, green and yellow zucchini.
- Instead, you should avoid cooked potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, asparagus, squash, and spinach, as they are all high in potassium.
- If you need to limit your intake of this mineral, cut back on vegetables that are particularly rich in it, such as potatoes, and instead opt for vegetables that have a small amount of it, such as cucumbers and radishes.
Step 2. Choose the appropriate fruit
You have to pay attention to the one that contains high levels of potassium. Fruit is another important component of a healthy diet when you have kidney problems, but you need to choose the right one carefully.
- Among those low in potassium and safe for your condition consider grapes, cherries, apples, pears, berries, plums, pineapples, tangerines and watermelons.
- If possible, avoid oranges and other products based on this fruit, such as juices; exclude from your diet other fruits such as kiwi, nectarine, dried plums, cantaloupe melon, the green one, raisins and dried fruit in general.
- If your condition is low in potassium, you should choose fruits that contain little potassium, such as blueberries and raspberries.
Step 3. Contact your doctor for the right protein intake
Protein is an important component of your diet, but you need to eat it wisely and wisely when you suffer from kidney disease. If you eat too much, you can put stress on your kidneys; however, if the intake is not adequate, you may feel tired. Since these substances produce waste in the body - and it is the kidneys that perform the function of the body's filters - you must consume them with caution, as an overdose unnecessarily puts pressure on the kidneys. Your doctor may recommend a low protein diet, but if you are on dialysis you may need to temporarily increase your intake.
- Identify the amount of protein you are being given each day and stick to that.
- Limit high protein foods to 150-200g per day, or even less if recommended by your dietician; foods rich in this element include beef, chicken, seafood and eggs.
- Pay attention to the protein content in other foods. Know that they are also present in milk, cheese, yogurt, pasta, beans, dried fruit, bread and cereals; be sure to monitor your daily protein intake.
- Eat small portions of protein with dinner. Make sure that most of your plate is filled with fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and consume a portion of protein no larger than 90g, which is the volume of a deck of cards.
- If you are going to have dialysis (or know you will need to do it in the future), you should temporarily have a high amount of protein; then talk to your doctor for more details. In this case, you need to eat high protein foods; several doctors recommend eggs or egg white.
Step 4. Cook foods with heart health in mind
Preparation techniques greatly affect the possibility of slowing down or reversing the process of renal deterioration; learn to cook in order to respect a healthy diet in general.
- Use non-stick pans while cooking, to reduce the need for butter and oils that help increase the calorie intake and unnecessary fats in your diet; instead, it uses healthy fats for the heart system, such as olive oil, thereby replacing butter and other vegetable oils.
- Eliminate the excessive amount of fat from meat; it also gives up the skin of the chicken.
- The healthiest cooking techniques are baked, pan-fried, boiled and grilled.
Method 2 of 3: Avoid Certain Foods
Step 1. Manage your sodium intake with caution
Known more often by the simple name of "salt", it can be very harmful for those suffering from kidney disorders and it is therefore essential to reduce its consumption throughout the day. By doing so, you also minimize water retention and help keep blood pressure under control, both of which improve kidney health.
- Buy products that have "No Added Salts", "Sodium Free" or "Low Sodium" on the label.
- Always check nutrition labels for the amount of sodium in the product and choose those foods that contain less than 100 mg per serving.
- Do not use it while cooking meals and do not add it to dishes; if you have a salt shaker, do not put it on the table so as not to be tempted. Also avoid salt substitutes, unless your doctor or dietician allows you to.
- Forgo those particularly salty foods, such as pretzels, potato chips, popcorn, bacon, cold cuts, hot dogs, cold cuts, canned meat and fish.
- Also stay away from products that contain monosodium glutamate.
- Limit the occasions you eat at the restaurant; the food cooked in these places typically contains much more sodium than home meals.
Step 2. Reduce your phosphorus intake
In the presence of kidney diseases it is important that the blood levels of this mineral remain low. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are generally rich in this element, so you should limit your consumption when trying to overcome a kidney disorder.
- As for dairy products, you must stick to the diet plan and do not exceed the recommended daily amount; choose dairy products with low phosphorus content, opt for spreadable cheeses, ricotta, margarine, butter, cream, sorbets, brie cheese and vegetable whipped cream.
- Since you need to take calcium to strengthen your bones, ask your doctor for appropriate supplements. Many people with chronic kidney disease need supplements of this substance for their health and well-being.
- You also need to limit your intake of dried fruit, peanut butter, seeds, lentils, beans, offal, sardines and cured meats such as sausage, mortadella and hot dogs.
- Do not drink sugary drinks and other sodas that contain phosphate or phosphoric acid.
- You should also give up bread and bran cereals.
Step 3. Stay away from fried foods
They are bad for those with kidney problems, as well as adding a lot of unnecessary calories and fat to their diet.
- When you eat at a restaurant, don't choose fried dishes, but ask the waiter to change the ingredients; for example, find out if you can substitute a fried chicken sandwich with grilled chicken breast.
- When you get together with the whole family, such as during the holidays, avoid fried foods and instead choose fruits and vegetables instead of dishes like fried chicken.
- When cooking meals at home, don't fry them; if you have a deep fryer, you should consider giving it to someone as a gift.
Method 3 of 3: Manage Fluid Intake
Step 1. Ask your doctor if you can consume alcohol in moderation
Alcohol can greatly affect kidney health; if yours are already compromised, you shouldn't drink much. If the disease is already advanced, you shouldn't drink it at all. Some people with kidney disease have a drink every now and then; however, you should speak to your doctor to know the exact amount you can safely consume.
- If your doctor tells you you can drink a little, make sure you don't exceed one drink a day and consider it as part of your daily fluid intake.
- Ask friends and family not to drink in front of you when you are in social circumstances. If you know there is an event where alcohol is expected, possibly avoid attending it or ask friends and family not to consume it in your presence.
- If you have trouble giving up alcohol, see a therapist for help. if you are concerned that you have an alcohol problem, you can also seek support by contacting groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Step 2. Find ways to manage thirst
In the first stage of the disease it is not always necessary to limit fluid intake, but many people have to reduce it in the advanced stage. If you are on dialysis, fluids can build up in your body between sessions. Your doctor may advise you to stick to a certain amount of fluids to consume throughout the day; therefore look for a way to manage thirst without having to drink too much.
- Use smaller glasses during meals. If you are in a restaurant, turn the glass upside down when you have finished drinking, to let the waiter know that he does not have to fill it anymore and avoid the temptation to drink too much water.
- You can freeze some fruit juice in the ice cube tray and suck it like a popsicle; in this way, you can slowly relieve the feeling of thirst. Make sure you also take these popsicles into account as your daily intake of liquids you can consume.
- If you need to limit the consumption of fluids, you can use a graduated jug to monitor the dose that is given to you daily; fill it up and drink only the water contained within it throughout the day. If you consume other beverages that are counted as your daily fluid intake, such as coffee, milk, jellies or ice cream, remove the amount of water equivalent to these other fluids from the pitcher; remember to also calculate those found in canned fruit, canned vegetables, soups and any other source of fluids.
Step 3. Be careful with sodas
Usually, you should avoid them, as they are a source of unnecessary calories and sugar; however, if you like to indulge in one from time to time, choose light colored ones, like lemonade and Sprite, which are better than darker ones like Coke and Pepsi.
Be careful when choosing this type of drink and avoid those with phosphate or phosphoric acid; remember that soft drinks have a high sodium content and it is important to limit their consumption
Step 4. Don't drink too many orange juices
This fruit contains a lot of potassium and you should avoid it when you suffer from chronic kidney disease; replace it with grape, apple or blueberry juice.
Advice
- Be optimistic, stress can aggravate the situation.
- Try to get regular physical activity; constant exercise can slow the progression of the disease. You should also make other lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, to better manage the condition.
- Do not skip meals and do not fast for too long; if you don't feel hungry, have four or five smaller meals instead of one or two larger ones.
- Do not take any vitamin, mineral or other herbal supplements without first talking to your doctor.
- Be aware that dietary changes may need to be made as the disease progresses; go to your doctor regularly to undergo periodic checks and work with a dietician to define an appropriate diet based on your needs.
- You may find it difficult to change your eating habits; you may have to give up many foods you enjoy. However, it is extremely important to respect the changes that are recommended to you, so that you stay healthy for as long as possible.
