The renal diet is an eating plan that promotes kidney health and slows kidney damage.
The kidneys are a pair of organs that reabsorb nutrients from the diet and filter out waste.
A persons diet affects kidney health and how hard the kidneys need to work.
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The renal diet limits foods high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein.
This takes stress off of thekidneysbecause there is less waste to remove from the blood.
Nutrients that cause the body to retain fluids put stress on the kidneys.
Trans fats are usually found in processed foods like store-bought cookies, french fries, and doughnuts.
Trans fats are also found in hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Sodium
Sodium is an electrolyte found intable saltand processed foods.
Most healthy adults need to limit their sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day.
When a person has kidney disease, their kidneys stop functioning normally.
To cut back on sodium in your diet, opt for fresh, homemade foods.
Look for food labels that say low sodium and limit restaurant meals.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a mineral that keeps the bones and teeth strong.
Too much phosphorus in the blood may also damage the blood vessels, eyes, and heart.
Foods that are naturally low in phosphorus include fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, and corn cereals.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral essential for nerve and muscle health.
It also plays a key role in heart health.
Foods high in potassium include oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, and whole-grain bread.
Apples, carrots, and white bread are naturally low in potassium.
Some medications can increase your potassium levels.
Review your list of your current medications with your healthcare provider to determine if any changes are needed.
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for building muscle and repairing tissues in the body.
When the body breaks down protein, it creates waste that the kidneys need to remove.
Eating a diet rich in protein in excess of what your body needs can be stressful for the kidneys.
Protein is present in both animal products and plants.
Protein-rich foods include red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Plant-based protein sources include grains, beans, and nuts.
They may also want to avoid calorie-dense foods that provide few nutrients.
The renal diet may improve energy levels in people with chronic kidney disease.
The renal diet is safe for most people with kidney disease.
However, this eating plan limits certain nutrients that are essential for health.
The body needs sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein.
Completely cutting these nutrients out of your diet would cause health problems.
When your protein intake is too low, you may lose muscle mass and become weaker.
Who Is the Diet Right For?
The renal diet is usually right for people with CKD or any chronic health condition that affects kidney function.
It may also be helpful for people withdiabetes.
About 1 in 3 adults in the United States with diabetes also has chronic kidney disease.
It has been proven to slow disease progression in people with chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the abdomen.
They are responsible for absorbing nutrients from the diet and filtering out waste and extra fluid from the blood.
The diet affects kidney health and function.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and kidney disease: what to eat?
National Kidney Foundation.Nutrition and kidney disease, stages 1-5 (not on dialysis).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diet & nutrition for adults with advanced chronic kidney disease.
National Kidney Foundation.NKF nutrition coach.
