Diet Restrictions for People with Kidney Disease

An RDN can Customize Diet Plans for Poorly Functioning Kidneys

Individuals having poorly functioning kidneys should consume restricted amounts of protein, sodium and potassium as per doctor’s recommendation. Following this nutritional plan can help prevent kidney disease from getting worse.

You need a customized plan to fit your health requirements. A registered dietitian nutritionist helps you fulfill this by mentoring your food preferences, lifestyle and special needs. Get in touch with an RDN at www.firsteatright.com to chalk out a customized plan for your body type.

Protein
Protein helps build, repair and maintain every cell in your body and can also supply energy when situation demands. Malfunctioning kidneys can’t handle as much protein. It is imperative to consume enough carbohydrates and fats to supply your body with all the required energy. With all this, the limited protein intake can be used completely to build and repair your cells. The modified diet should include balanced proportions of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Nuts, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and beans are good sources of protein. Breads, cereals, seeds and vegetables are also packed with protein.

Sodium
Sodium has the characteristic to increase blood pressure and cause fluid retention. Individuals affected by kidney disease should be extra cautious as the extra sodium and fluid can build up in the body, thereby affecting your heart and lungs. The new diet would have an upper limit on the permissible amounts of sodium. Your RDN will teach you how to stay within this limit. Sodium is present in salt and many processed foods. Check the labels for salt content before purchasing. Make sure to check the labels of salt substitutes before using them as many of these substitutes contain potassium, which again needs to be restricted.

Potassium
Potassium, like sodium, should be present in the right quantities in your body. Malfunctioning kidneys can lead to increased potassium levels in your blood, subsequently affecting your heart rhythm. Hence, your new diet may include a potassium limit. Your RDN will help you to design your meal plan in such a way that you stay within your designated limit while eating nutritious food. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and dairy foods are great sources of potassium.

An RDN also helps you concentrate on other aspects of your diet to ensure balanced nutrition in your meals. These include:

• Total Calories. Take care of the total calories you consume every day to keep your weights in check.
• Phosphorus. Poor kidney functioning can cause an increase in phosphorus levels in your blood which again requires a diet low in phosphorus content.
• Calcium. Increased phosphorus levels decreases the availability of calcium for your bones. Hence, make sure to consume a diet that offers the right balance between phosphorus and calcium.
• Vitamins and Minerals (particularly B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron and zinc). Restricting certain food groups to keep your kidneys off much pressure can leave you short of certain vitamins and minerals.