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Diet and Nutrition

Your diet and nutrition is dependent upon your own unique condition.
 
How is a kidney-friendly diet different?
 
When your kidneys are not working as well as they should, waste and fluid build up in your body. Over time, the waste and extra fluid can cause heart, bone and other health problems.  A kidney-friendly meal plan limits certain minerals and fluid you eat and drink.  This can help keep the waste and fluid from building up and causing problems. 
 
How strict your meal plan should be depends on your stage of kidney disease. In the early stages of kidney disease, you may have little or no limits on what you eat and drink.  As your kidney disease gets worse, your doctor may recommend that you:
 
1 Limit sodium and salt intake: Beware of fast food, snack foods and canned foods as they tend to have a very high amount of sodium. High blood pressure and kidney disease are often influenced by your sodium level.
 
2 Watch for foods that are high in phosphorous: These foods include dairy products, dried beans, nuts and soft drinks. Kidney disease can limit the ability of the kidneys to remove phosphorous from your blood.
 
3 Limit your intake of protein: Most meats such as chicken, red meat and seafood, as well as eggs, milk and cheese contain a lot of protein. Some breads, vegetables and fruits contain protein as well, although in lesser amounts. Protein produces a lot of waste in your body. If your kidneys are not functioning properly they may have trouble getting rid of this waste.
 
4 Carbohydrate counting: Patients with diabetes need to keep the amount of carbohydrates they consume under control. Your carbohydrate intake directly influences your blood sugar levels. Keeping track of your carbohydrates will help you to maintain healthy blood sugar. Carbohydrates are found in breads, pastas, potatoes, fruits, sodas and sweets such as candy, cake, ice cream, plus many more foods. Check with your doctor for a complete list.
Watch your fluid intake – when kidneys no longer work properly they have a hard time processing fluids. To assist your kidneys and limit the amount of work they need to do your doctor may recommend that you limit your fluid intake. This will help to control your blood pressure and put less strain on your heart. Remember that fluids include any beverage you may drink as well as foods that melt at room temperature like ice cream or popsicles.
 
Your doctor can refer you to a dietitian, or you can find one through the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org or 1.800.877.1600 Call: 1.800.877.1600. 
 
Be sure to check out our Resources page here
 
Additional Nutrition, Diet and Health Guidance Resources are listed below: 
 
Kidney Times
Renal Support Network
 
Kidney-Friendly Cookbooks
Brilliant Eats: Simple and Delicious Recipes for Anyone Who Wants to be Kidney Wise
Kelly L. Welsh, RD, CD
 
Carbohydrate & Sodium Controlled Recipes
CRN No. California/No. Nevada
415.353.7725
Call: 415.353.7725
 
Creative Cooking for Renal Diabetic Diets
Creative Cooking for Renal Diets
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
1.800.247.6553
Call: 1.800.247.6553
 
The Gourmet Renal Cookbook
Sharon Stall, RD
212.434.3266
Call: 212.434.3266
 
Renal Lifestyles Manual
Peggy Harum, RD, LD
 
The Renal Patient’s Guide to Good Eating
Judith Curtis
 
The Vegetarian Diet for Kidney Disease Treatment
Joan Brookhyser, RD, CSR, CD
 
Log into your patient portal for diet & nutrition guides prescribed by your physician here