FOOD FOR YOUR KIDNEYS

PROTEIN AND THE KIDNEYS:

Okay, first of all, let's get this confusion out of the way. This is the mental deficiency many may face as to why kidney patients may need to modify protein intake

The more amino acids that need removing, the harder the kidneys have to work. And for people with kidney disease, this can mean an acceleration of their kidney disease. However, a diet too low in protein may cause malnutrition and other serious ailments. So the solution is to eat enough protein to maintain health, but to minimize the excess amino acids and spare the kidneys. The way to do this is to eat foods with proteins that cause the least waste, that is, foods that have the right amounts (ratios) of different amino acids that the body will use most efficiently. Since we are animals, foods that come from animals (dairy foods, eggs, meat, poultry, fish) have the best combination of amino acids and produce the least waste- the "high biological value" or HBV foods. It is important to understand that grains, legumes (beans), fruits and vegetables all have varying amounts of protein made of the same amino acids in animal foods. They are not "bad foods"- its just that the amino acids they have are not in the same amounts that the human body can use most efficiently- that is, they produce more waste. This is not universally true, there are good quality vegetable sources such as soy beans that can also be used. People with kidney disease need to pay attention to both the amount and type of protein they eat. The amount of protein recommended for a renal patient is 60g/day (0.75g/kg ideal body weight).

Red bell peppers:

1/2 cup serving red bell pepper = 1 mg sodium,

88 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Red bell peppers are low in potassium and spicy. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber. 

Cabbage:

1/2 cup serving green cabbage = 6 mg sodium,

60 mg potassium, 9 mg phosphorus

Cabbages are full of phytochemicals that support health and disease prevention. Many phytochemicals are known to protect against and fight cancer, as well as foster cardiovascular health. They are high in vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber. Cabbages are also a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid. 

Garlic:

1 clove garlic = 1 mg sodium, 12 mg potassium,

4 mg phosphorus

Garlic helps prevent plaque from forming on the teeth,

lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation.

Buy it fresh, bottled, minced or powdered, and add it to

meat, vegetable or pasta dishes. You can also roast a

head of garlic and spread on bread. Garlic provides a

delicious flavor and garlic powder is a great substitute for

garlic salt in the dialysis diet. Garlic is good for reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol. It also has antioxidant and anti-clotting properties. (Cooking garlic will not affect its antioxidant properties, but it will reduce its anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.)

If you're following the dialysis diet, use garlic powder

instead of garlic salt to add extra flavor to your meals

without adding extra sodium

Onions:

1/2 cup serving onion = 3 mg sodium, 116 mg

potassium, 3 mg phosphorus

Onion, a member of the Allium family and a basic

flavoring in many cooked dishes, contains sulphur

compounds which give it its pungent smell. Onions also rich in flavonoids, especially quercetin, a powerful antioxidant

that works to reduce heart disease and protects against

many cancers. Onions are low in potassium and a good

source of chromium, a mineral that helps with carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help reduce heart disease and protect against many forms of cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Low in potassium, onions are not only kidney-friendly; they also contain chromium, a mineral that assists your body with the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Onions can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety dishes.

Apples:

1 medium apple with skin = 0 sodium, 158 mg

potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Apples have been known to reduce cholesterol, prevent

constipation, protect against heart disease and reduce the

risk of cancer. Apples are high in fiber and anti-inflammatory

compounds and keep the body and organs healthy.

Red Grapes:

The color in red grapes comes from several flavonoids.

These are good for your heart, because they prevent

oxidation and reduce the chance of blood clots. The flavonoid in grapes, resveratrol, may boost production of

nitric oxide, which increases muscle relaxation in blood

vessels for better blood flow. Flavonoids also help protect you from cancer and prevent inflammation.

Egg whites:

2 egg whites = 7 grams protein, 110 mg sodium,

108 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Egg whites are pure protein and provide the highest

quality of protein with all the essential amino acids. For

the kidney diet, egg whites provide protein with less

phosphorus than other protein sources such as egg yolk

or meats. If you're on a renal diet, it's good to note that egg whites have less phosphorus than other protein sources, such as egg yolks or meats.

Fish:

Three ounces wild salmon = 50 mg sodium, 368 mg

potassium, 274 mg phosphorus

Fish provides high-quality protein and contains anti-

inflammatory fats called omega-3s. The healthy fats in

fish can help fight diseases such as heart disease and

cancer. Omega-3s also help lower low-density

lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol,

and raise high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol,

which is good cholesterol. The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recommend eating fish at least two times a week. Fish highest in omega-3s include albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout and salmon .

Other Points for Consideration include

Sodium:

Sodium (salt) is a mineral found in almost all foods. Too

much sodium can make one thirsty, retain fluid (causing oedema) and raises blood pressure. This can cause kidney damage and heart failure. Practical steps to reduce sodium intake include:

*Do not add salt to your food when cooking or eating. Try

cooking with fresh herbs, lemon juice or other salt-free

spices.

*Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned

vegetables. If you do use canned vegetables, drain and

rinse them to remove extra salt before cooking or eating

them.

*Avoid processed meats like ham, bacon, sausage and lunch

meats.

*Indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables rather than crackers

or other salty snacks.

*Avoid canned soups and frozen dinners that are high in

sodium.

*Avoid pickled foods, like olives and pickles.

*Limit high-sodium condiments like soy sauce, BBQ sauce

and ketchup.

Fluids:

Staying hydrated is necessary for prevention and

treatment of kidney disease . Keeping your urine diluted is important for keeping your kidneys healthy. If

your urine is light colored after you go to the

bathroom, you are getting enough fluid. Also try to

limit caffeinated beverages to one to two cups a day

because it can actually make you dehydrated.

Fruits and Vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables improve kidney function.

Such fruits include grapes, cranberries and blueberries;

vegetables include fennel, onions, celery, beets,

spinach, string beans and asparagus. If you are

suffering from kidney disease, make sure the fruits and

vegetables you eat are low in potassium and you avoid high potassium foods such as bananas, plantains and yams.

Low-Potassium Foods:

Since kidneys regulate potassium, it’s important that

you monitor potassium intake. If  potassium

level gets too high, you may develop a greater risk of

suffering a stroke or heart attack. Some examples of

low-potassium foods include apples, beans, corn, rice,

noodles, pasta, eggplant, cookies without nuts or

chocolate, pears, peas and peppers.

Iron-Rich Foods:

If you are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, your

body may be low in iron. The kidneys play a role in

the production of red blood cells, but without a

properly functioning kidney, your red blood cell count

may be too low, and your energy levels might suffer as

a result. Eating iron-rich foods such as leafy green

vegetables and eggs can help you increase your iron

intake.