Suffering from kidney disease can be a tough, energy-consuming process. Your kidney no longer functions as efficiently as before, and you have to make many changes in your lifestyle in order to preserve what is left of the power in these organs.
Frequent visits to the doctor and a pill caddy full of tablets, leaves you exhausted. While this process can be difficult, there are quite a few adjustments you can make to your diet if you want to alleviate the pain and struggle that is a by-product of suffering from kidney disease.
How To Change Your Diet When You Have A Kidney Disease?
So, without further ado, let us dive into some of these changes you can incorporate:
1. Find a balance in your protein intake:
Consuming too many protein-rich foods can add an unnecessary amount of pressure on your kidneys, while not consuming enough protein may leave you fatigued and in turn increase the risk of you developing kidney infections.
Make sure to consult your doctor in order to receive advice on how to find the sweet spot between the two extremes of protein consumption.
You will have to take into account various factors such as whether or not you are on dialysis, your weight, and even the overall health of your kidneys. Consume a moderated amount of protein-rich foods like soya beans, nuts, meat, eggs, milk, paneer, tofu, and even some amount of green leafy vegetables.
2. Limit your fluid intake:
You see when your kidneys are in such a dilapidated state, consuming too many fluids may harm them and cause additional problems in your internal plumbing system. Seek medical advice and find out how much fluids you can consume in a day.
A good method to monitor this may involve taking a pitcher and filling it with the recommended amount of your fluid consumption.
Whether you are consuming water, tea, coffee, or any other fluids, make sure to not exceed this set limit. Try to measure the fluid intake from fruits and vegetables as well, as overlooking this too could result in damage to your kidneys.
3. Avoid sodium as much as possible:
Sodium is extremely harmful to your kidneys in this condition. If you want to limit your intake of it, then stray away from adding salt to your meals. Make it a habit to look at the ingredients list of any packaged foods that you purchase, and only buy foods that are labeled as ‘’sodium-free’’, ‘’low-sodium’’ or any other such derivatives.
Avoid consuming canned foods such as meat and fish, as these are often coated with salt for preservation. Reduce foods from restaurants and take-out places to the bare minimum, as most of these dishes are processed and have a high amount of salt in them.
4. Watch your calorie consumption:
Some people who are suffering from kidney diseases may need to shed some weight, while others may need to gain it. You can achieve these weight goals by counting your calories, which come from the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins included within your diet.
You can come to a calorie limit by factoring in your height, weight, gender, age, and body size. Keep in touch with your doctor to figure how to adjust your calorie intake and seek help when it comes to finding the perfect meal plan that could not only help you achieve those weight goals but will also have the least negative effects on your kidneys.
5. Moderate the fats in your food:
While some amounts of fats are impertinent for your body, consuming an unadulterated amount of it can have devastating repercussions on your condition.
Include healthy fats such as peanut oil olive oil and corn oil and try to avoid saturated fats that exist in foods such as meat, lard, and butter. Avoid any and all kinds of trans fats and you can even trim the fat from your meat or remove the skin of your turkeys in order to limit your intake of saturated fats.
In conclusion, the constituents of your meals play a very important role in determining the conditions of not only your kidneys but your overall health.
Follow a diet that goes easy on your kidneys, by limiting the consumption of foods that would cause an unwanted build-up of minerals. Definitely seek the opinion of your doctor, especially if you are on dialysis. Try your best to have a balanced diet, all while keeping your kidneys in mind.
Lacey Arlo is a wellness expert and a nutritionist who aims to help members with health and diet queries. Lacey Arlo has worked with junior, national, and Olympic-level athletes by providing them with customizing programmers, supplement strategies, and support during their travel and competition. From weight management, PCOD, thyroid-related weight loss, and nutrition for children to diets for pregnant and diets for senior citizens, She offers nutrition-aided solutions for different age groups with consideration for each person’s unique health demands.