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How to eat when you have kidney disease
Your nutrition needs change when your kidneys aren’t functioning properly. Try these six eat-healthier strategies to help you better manage your condition.
We hear a lot about how to eat if you have heart disease or diabetes, but the quality of your diet impacts your kidney function too. The kidneys are one of the body’s primary filtering systems, and they rely on certain nutrients to keep them working properly.
“Diet can play a crucial role in managing kidney disease by helping reduce the strain on the kidneys and manage related health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes,” says Vandana Sheth, RDN, a registered dietitian in the Los Angeles area.
About 35.5 million U.S. adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you have kidney disease and are looking for a new dietary approach, these six eating habits can help support your kidneys. Eating plans for kidney disease aren’t one-size-fits-all, so speak to a health care provider to help you tailor the best menus for your situation. Have more healthy eating questions? Ask a Matrix clinician during your no-cost, in-home health assessment.
1. Choose lower-sodium foods
Your body needs sodium to function, but too much salt in your diet can strain your kidneys. Keep an eye on food package labels and aim for 1,500 milligrams per day. This is less than the 2,300-milligram daily recommendation for those without kidney problems.
“When you limit sodium intake, it helps decrease fluid retention and manage blood pressure,” says Sheth. “That helps preserve kidney function.”
Choose products labeled “unsalted,” “sodium- free,” or “low sodium,” and skip processed foods as much as possible.
Cooking at home can also help you cut down on your sodium intake because you are in control of how much salt ends up in your food. Also, avoid store-bought salt substitutes, since they contain potassium, which can harm your kidneys. Add flavor with herbs, salt-free spices, or citrus instead.
A Matrix in-home health visit is a good time to discuss healthy habits with a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule or book online.
2. Pay attention to potassium
Too much of this mineral may lead to heart complications when you have kidney disease. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium, so choose these ones that contain less of it:
Enjoy: Peaches, grapes, apples, pears, berries, pineapple, plums, tangerines, and watermelon
Avoid: Oranges, orange juice, nectarines, kiwis, dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, and honeydew
Enjoy: Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, green and wax beans, lettuce, onion, peppers, watercress, zucchini, and yellow squash
Avoid: Asparagus, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes and tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, and cooked spinach
3. Focus on fluids
While it’s important to stay hydrated, people with advanced kidney disease may need to limit liquids when on dialysis. Excess fluid can build up in your body and cause shortness of breath.
Your care team will let you know how much liquid you can have each day. Keep track of how much you drink to stay within that limit. Also watch your intake of water-rich foods such as soups, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, melon, and oranges. And try to stay cool on hot days, to avoid getting too thirsty.
4. Learn more about phosphorus
Phosphorus is a mineral that supports many key body functions, including nerve and muscle function. It’s primarily found in dairy, red meat, poultry, seafood, legumes, and nuts. The kidneys, along with your bones and intestines, regulate the phosphorous levels in the body.
“Kidney disease may cause high levels of phosphorus to build up in your blood. That can lead to bone and heart problems,” Sheth explains. Manage your intake by keeping a close eye on how many high-phosphorous foods you’re eating.
Note: It can be harder to get enough calcium if you’re limiting dairy. So, talk to your health care provider about taking a calcium supplement to help keep your bones strong.
5. Check in on your protein needs
How much protein your body needs can change as your disease progresses. You might need to eat a lower-protein diet before you start dialysis. But you’ll need more again once you’re on dialysis, at which point you’ll need between 225 to 280 grams of protein each day. Healthy protein-rich food sources include fish, poultry, eggs, lean pork, and protein powder.
6. Eat heart-healthy fats
Having kidney disease raises your risk of cardiovascular disease. Choosing healthier fats will help you protect your heart. Reach for olive oil, canola oil, or safflower oil instead of butter, which is high in saturated fats that can clog your arteries. Red meat and trans fats should be off the menu too. Trans fats are often found in baked goods, fried foods, and margarine.
See our sources:
How kidneys work: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Chronic kidney disease statistics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sodium recommendations: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Kidney Foundation
Eating with kidney disease: National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus
Phosphorus and health: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
