To say that your kidneys are important is a bit of an understatement. These two small but intricate parts of your anatomy act as a filter system for your body, regulating the substances present in your body, your blood pressure, and the make-up of your blood. Your kidneys also maintain many of your hormones, producing those that tell your bones when to produce more blood cells.
In short, you cannot survive without proper renal function of at least one of your kidneys, even on the artificial assistance of dialysis. That is why, if you have kidney disease or are at risk, it is important to monitor what you eat and drink, so that your kidneys can properly remove waste products.
Working with your doctor or a professional dietitian, you can create an eating plan that will help keep your kidneys healthy and functioning properly.
A Healthy Kidney Eating Plan
A healthy kidney eating plan is one that includes foods that limit the amount of certain minerals, such as potassium, which can build up in your body and eventually damage your kidneys. It also helps prevent other serious health problems, such as diabetes, from developing. The right balance of nutrients – including protein, fat, and carbohydrates – can also ensure that you stay at a healthy weight, build muscle, prevent infection, and have the energy to perform your daily tasks.
Here is what nephrologists recommend for creating a kidney-friendly eating plan:
- Eat the right types and amount of protein. While too little protein can weaken your skin, hair, and nails, too much protein can force your kidneys to work harder and become damaged. That’s because when your body processes protein, it creates waste products that your kidneys must filter. The right amount of protein will depend on your body size, activity level, and general health. As such, your health care provider can advise you on how to limit your protein intake or change the type of protein you are consuming. It may mean eating more lean proteins, such as whole eggs, skinless chicken, and turkey.
- Eat the right types of fat. Fat provides energy and enables you to use some of the vitamins in your food. However, too much fat in your diet can lead to weight gain and heart disease. So, choose healthier unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, fish, nuts, and seeds.
- Stick with whole grain carbohydrates. Unhealthy carbs, such as sugar, honey, hard candies, soft drinks, and other sugary drinks, can trigger weight gain. To promote kidney health, choose healthier carbs such as fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain foods such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread and pasta.
- Get the right number of calories. Calories – in the form of protein, fat, and carbs – provide your body with energy. Your daily requirement of calories depends on your age, gender, body size, and activity level. Your doctor or dietitian can help determine how many calories you need to stay at a healthy weight.
- Eat less sodium (salt). Almost all foods have sodium, and it play an important role in maintaining the proper balance of water and minerals in your body. However, too much salt in your diet can make your body retain water, which can lead to swelling and higher blood pressure which, in turn, can damage your kidneys and make your heart work harder. Therefore, you should limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day. Limit or avoid adding salt to your food when cooking or eating. Instead, use herbs and spices for flavor, and choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned vegetables that contain sodium.
Best Nephrologist Near You in Syracuse, New York
The board-certified and fellowship trained nephrologists at the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University are experts in diseases affecting the kidneys. In addition to providing care to adult patients with chronic renal failure through world-class, comprehensive dialysis programs and care for patients with complex kidney stone problems, they can provide you with nutritional advice and guidelines to promote healthier renal function.
To learn more about our services, the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University at DeptMedicine@upstate.edu. To schedule an appointment, please call your nephrology provider directly.
