Foods to Avoid with Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a slow progressive loss of function of your kidneys over a long period of many years. This can eventually lead to a permanent kidney failure.

The disease is also known as chronic renal failure, renal disease, or chronic kidney failure. The disease is quite common than most people perceive. It often remains undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and symptoms appear.

If you have this disease, your kidneys are no longer working as good as they must do. Changing your diet can help protect your kidneys and prevent any serious damage to them. It can also help you control other diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure that can cause fast kidney disease progression.

Foods to avoid with kidney disease

The most common chronic kidney causes and risk factors are high blood pressure and diabetes. You should consult your doctor if you are at high risk so an early screening of the disease can be done in order to prevent the progression of the disease.

However, you should avoid certain foods if you are at high risk or is a patient of CKD. The first step in healthy eating is having the right foods stored in your kitchen. Because many foods are sources of sugar and sodium, it is important to know what's really in your kitchen, so you can avoid the foods that contain sodium and sugar.

The two leading causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, but when these conditions are controlled, kidney disease can be prevented or slowed down. Healthy food choices and controlling your sugar, fat, sodium and salt intake can make a difference in controlling the risks for kidney disease and protecting your kidneys.

You must keep these foods out of your refrigerator and kitchen if you are or anyone in tour family is a kidney disease patient.

Processed meats

Processed meats harm you a lot! These foods can be major sources of sodium and nitrates, which have been linked to cancer and kidney problems. Instead, you should buy leaner meats like fresh turkey or chicken and always opt for the low sodium, low nitrate meats.

Butter

Butter is made from animal fat and contains cholesterol, calories and saturated fat. It is not good for kidney patients. Instead, use olive oil. If you opt for a spread, choose one that is lower in calories and saturated fat and contains no trans fats.

Frozen foods

Studies show that processed foods may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and frozen ready to cook meals like frozen pasta or pizza and microwaveable dinners are generally heavily processed. This means these foods can include high levels of sugar, sodium and fat.

Though, not all frozen meals are same but, it’s better to avoid them if you are not sure of them. It is better to prepare fresh foods. If cooking fresh foods is sometimes not possible, read the labels carefully before you buy the frozen foods. Try to buy low sodium foods. Avoid frozen foods with added sugar, or any other additives.

Mayonnaise

A single tablespoon of mayonnaise contains about 103 calories. It also contains high levels of saturated fat. This is certainly not a good opt for you if you are at high risk of kidney disease.

Soda

Soda provides no nutritional benefit but is full of sugars. This brings extra calories in your diet and can ultimately result in weight gain. Studies have found sodas to cause conditions such as osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, metabolic diseases, and dental problems. Diet sodas may be lower in calories, but still provide no nutritional value and often contain additives too such as artificial sweeteners. Stay away from the soda. Instead, use water with some natural flavors or lemons.

Salted snacks

Avoid salted snacks such as chips and popcorn.

Restaurant foods

Avoid eating out frequently. The foods there contain lots of hidden sodium in the form of in processed foods.

There is no one food that is right for everyone who has kidney disease. Your doctor or dietitian can customize a diet for you based on how well your kidneys are working. You should contact your doctor or dietician to get a food chart for you so as to manage your kidney health better.

Mohd Salman, Mbbs, is a medical science professional and is associated with DiseaseFix as a researcher. Find the most relevant and updated information about the disease in DiseaseFix.