The kidneys filter waste from the blood, but when they don’t function properly, waste can build up and cause complications. A renal diet, which varies based on severity and treatment, includes low-water and low-potassium fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Protein intake may be limited for those not on dialysis, but increased for those on dialysis.
The kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and expelling them from the body through urine. When the kidneys are unable to function properly, it can lead to a buildup of waste in the body and prevent the organs from being able to function effectively. Complications of kidney damage or failure can include swelling of the arms and legs, heart disease, weakened bones, or damage to the immune system or central nervous system. As part of their treatment plan, people with kidney damage will usually be advised to follow a renal diet, an eating plan designed to ensure that as little waste products enter the body through food as possible. .
The exact version of the eating plan will generally vary from individual to individual due to the severity of your condition and what other treatment options you are taking. One of the most common kidney diet foods for most people with kidney problems tend to be items with low water content and potassium levels. Damaged kidneys cannot easily filter excess fluid from the body, so eating foods high in water content can make a person more prone to fluid retention and swelling of the arms and legs. Potassium, a mineral that helps the heart function, can also build up to dangerous levels because the kidneys may not filter enough potassium from the body; therefore, it is recommended to avoid foods high in potassium in a renal diet plan.
The most frequently recommended foods for the renal diet are fruits and vegetables with lower water content and potassium levels. Fruits that are generally approved on a kidney diet include apples, pears, berries, and peaches, while bananas and oranges, which tend to be high in potassium, can cause complications and are often limited. Vegetables that fit the renal diet criteria include carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and bell peppers, while starchy vegetables such as pumpkins, potatoes, and winter squash are generally avoided due to their fluid or potassium levels.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, whole grains are also another of the most common renal diet foods included in most recommended eating plans, regardless of the type of treatment option a patient receives. Once treatment options are considered, certain renal diet foods can be altered. Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses specialized machines to mimic the function of the kidneys and filter waste from the blood. People whose kidney conditions are not yet severe will usually not be on dialysis and their kidney diet will typically limit protein sources, such as eggs, chicken, fish, or beans, because protein tends to leave more waste products in the blood. than carbohydrates A person on dialysis will generally require a large amount of protein in their diet because the dialysis process can leach out too much protein that is needed to maintain the body.
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