Kidneys perform various crucial functions for the body, including filtering blood, removing waste products, and excreting excess fluids. They are also necessary for balancing electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones that stimulate red blood cell production. A balanced diet can help improve kidney function and promote overall health.
Australians promote a balanced diet to support healthy kidney function because kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. A balanced diet helps manage blood pressure, control blood sugar, promote heart health, and reduce the workload on the kidneys, all of which are important for overall kidney health.
If you also want a diet focused on kidney health, then we have prepared a diet for your kidneys, especially for those suffering from kidney diseases.
What to Avoid in Case of Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease needs some lifestyle changes, including a diet. Before getting started with the diet plan, here are some essential things you need to avoid:
- Processed snacks, canned soups, fast foods, and salty snack foods contribute to high blood pressure and fluid retention, which can worsen kidney function.
- Processed cheeses, nuts, seeds, and cola drinks are high in phosphorus, which your kidneys may have difficulty removing from the body.
- Be cautious of salt substitutes, as many contain potassium and may not be suitable if you need to limit potassium intake.
- Regular use of over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can damage your kidneys, especially over long periods.
Reduce your daily salt intake to help manage blood pressure and fluid retention. A registered dietitian is needed when determining the perfect amount of protein for your specific needs. Look for a Kidney specialist near me for better advice.
Diet for Kidney Disease Management
A kidney-friendly diet is all you need to improve overall health, along with some lifestyle changes. Consulting a kidney specialist is all you need to do because they can detect the seriousness of the issue and plan a diet accordingly. Here are the dietary considerations for your kidney disease management:
Sodium
Excess sodium is no good because it can raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention, which burdens the kidneys.
Tips: Limit sodium to 1,500–2,000 mg per day. Avoid processed and packaged foods, which often contain hidden sodium. Read food labels for sodium content.
Good choices: Fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, herbs, and homemade meals.
Avoid: Canned soups, chips, deli meats, salted snacks, soy sauce, and fast foods.
Potassium
Potassium helps regulate heart and muscle function. In kidney disease, potassium can cause danger, leading to serious complications like irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and even cardiac arrest.
Tips: Your potassium needs depend on your lab results—some people may need to limit it, others may need more. Leach potassium from high-potassium vegetables (like potatoes) by soaking them in water before cooking.
Low-potassium foods: Apples, grapes, berries, green beans, rice.
Limit: Bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes, avocados.
Phosphorus
High phosphorus can weaken bones and cause heart problems. Damaged kidneys cannot remove excess phosphorus effectively.
Tips: Limit phosphorus intake and avoid foods with phosphate additives. Do check labels for ingredients like “phosphoric acid” or “sodium phosphate.
Low-phosphorus foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables, white rice, egg whites.
High-phosphorus foods to avoid: Processed meats, cola drinks, dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Protein
Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, but too much can be a big “No”.
Tips: The amount of protein you need depends on your stage of kidney disease. Those not on dialysis may need to limit protein, while those on dialysis may need more.
High-quality protein sources: Eggs, lean chicken, fish, tofu (in moderation), and small portions of dairy.
Lower-protein foods: Rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
Fluids
Fluid needs vary by person and disease stage. In advanced kidney disease or dialysis, you may need to limit fluids to avoid swelling and high blood pressure.
Tips: Track fluid intake, including ice, soup, and watery fruits. Use small cups and sip slowly to control thirst.
Suggestions: Popsicles, watermelon, oranges, cantaloupe, grapes, cucumber, lettuce, celery, tomato and yoghurt.
Iron
Anaemia is common in kidney disease, often requiring more iron to produce red blood cells.
Tips: Choose iron-rich foods along with vitamin C to enhance absorption. Some patients may need iron supplements—only take them if prescribed. Iron-rich foods: Lean red meat, fortified cereals, eggs, leafy greens.
Avoid: Calcium-rich foods (like dairy) and tea/coffee if consuming iron-rich foods, as they inhibit iron absorption.
Diet plays a crucial role in slowing the progression of kidney disease, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. In Australia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health issue, affecting about 1 in 10 adults, many of whom may not even be aware they have it. Do manage your health with dietary changes and consult regularly with a kidney specialist.
Kidneys perform various crucial functions for the body, including filtering blood, removing waste products, and excreting excess fluids. They are also necessary for balancing electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones that stimulate red blood cell production. A balanced diet can help improve kidney function and promote overall health.
Australians promote a balanced diet to support healthy kidney function because kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. A balanced diet helps manage blood pressure, control blood sugar, promote heart health, and reduce the workload on the kidneys, all of which are important for overall kidney health.
If you also want a diet focused on kidney health, then we have prepared a diet for your kidneys, especially for those suffering from kidney diseases.
What to Avoid in Case of Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease needs some lifestyle changes, including a diet. Before getting started with the diet plan, here are some essential things you need to avoid:
- Processed snacks, canned soups, fast foods, and salty snack foods contribute to high blood pressure and fluid retention, which can worsen kidney function.
- Processed cheeses, nuts, seeds, and cola drinks are high in phosphorus, which your kidneys may have difficulty removing from the body.
- Be cautious of salt substitutes, as many contain potassium and may not be suitable if you need to limit potassium intake.
- Regular use of over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can damage your kidneys, especially over long periods.
Reduce your daily salt intake to help manage blood pressure and fluid retention. A registered dietitian is needed when determining the perfect amount of protein for your specific needs. Look for a Kidney specialist near me for better advice.
Diet for Kidney Disease Management
A kidney-friendly diet is all you need to improve overall health, along with some lifestyle changes. Consulting a kidney specialist is all you need to do because they can detect the seriousness of the issue and plan a diet accordingly. Here are the dietary considerations for your kidney disease management:
Sodium
Excess sodium is no good because it can raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention, which burdens the kidneys.
Tips: Limit sodium to 1,500–2,000 mg per day. Avoid processed and packaged foods, which often contain hidden sodium. Read food labels for sodium content.
Good choices: Fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, herbs, and homemade meals.
Avoid: Canned soups, chips, deli meats, salted snacks, soy sauce, and fast foods.
Potassium
Potassium helps regulate heart and muscle function. In kidney disease, potassium can cause danger, leading to serious complications like irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and even cardiac arrest.
Tips: Your potassium needs depend on your lab results—some people may need to limit it, others may need more. Leach potassium from high-potassium vegetables (like potatoes) by soaking them in water before cooking.
Low-potassium foods: Apples, grapes, berries, green beans, rice.
Limit: Bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes, avocados.
Phosphorus
High phosphorus can weaken bones and cause heart problems. Damaged kidneys cannot remove excess phosphorus effectively.
Tips: Limit phosphorus intake and avoid foods with phosphate additives. Do check labels for ingredients like “phosphoric acid” or “sodium phosphate.
Low-phosphorus foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables, white rice, egg whites.
High-phosphorus foods to avoid: Processed meats, cola drinks, dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Protein
Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, but too much can be a big “No”.
Tips: The amount of protein you need depends on your stage of kidney disease. Those not on dialysis may need to limit protein, while those on dialysis may need more.
High-quality protein sources: Eggs, lean chicken, fish, tofu (in moderation), and small portions of dairy.
Lower-protein foods: Rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
Fluids
Fluid needs vary by person and disease stage. In advanced kidney disease or dialysis, you may need to limit fluids to avoid swelling and high blood pressure.
Tips: Track fluid intake, including ice, soup, and watery fruits. Use small cups and sip slowly to control thirst.
Suggestions: Popsicles, watermelon, oranges, cantaloupe, grapes, cucumber, lettuce, celery, tomato and yoghurt.
Iron
Anaemia is common in kidney disease, often requiring more iron to produce red blood cells.
Tips: Choose iron-rich foods along with vitamin C to enhance absorption. Some patients may need iron supplements—only take them if prescribed. Iron-rich foods: Lean red meat, fortified cereals, eggs, leafy greens.
Avoid: Calcium-rich foods (like dairy) and tea/coffee if consuming iron-rich foods, as they inhibit iron absorption.
Diet plays a crucial role in slowing the progression of kidney disease, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. In Australia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health issue, affecting about 1 in 10 adults, many of whom may not even be aware they have it. Do manage your health with dietary changes and consult regularly with a kidney specialist.
