Diets for Kidney Patients

The kidneys remove waste and fluid from the body, and they regulate the amount of important nutrients. When they're not working properly, it's important to help them out by adjusting your diet and fluid intake. Specific changes depend on the type and degree of kidney disease, but in general, kidney patients must carefully control the amounts of water, protein, sodium and other nutrients to stay healthy and feel well.

Protein

• Your body uses protein to build muscles, repair itself and fight infection. But protein creates extra work on the kidneys, so kidney patients may have to limit their intake. The National Kidney Foundation recommends working closely with a dietician to determine how to get enough protein without overtaxing your kidneys.

Calories

• Calories are your body's source of energy, and protein is a great source of calories. But if you have to reduce your protein intake, you'll need a way to replace the calories. Your dietitian may recommend eating more simple carbohydrates and unsaturated fat to bridge the energy gap while maintaining a healthy weight.

Sodium

• Unhealthy kidneys have trouble removing sodium, which can cause thirst and swelling through water retention. Limiting or eliminating table salt will help, as will avoiding high-sodium foods such as canned vegetables, dehydrated soups and most take-out food. Patients may have to look for alternative seasonings such as dried herbs, cayenne pepper sauce or lemon juice.

Phosphorus

• Having too much phosphorus in your body can cause your skin to itch and deplete the calcium from your bones. If your kidneys aren't working as they should, your dietician may cut your intake of dairy products, certain beans and nuts, and beverages such as beer and hot chocolate. Using non-dairy creamers and milk substitutes may help reduce phosphorus while allowing you some of the things you like (coffee and cereal, for example.)

Calcium

• Here is where a kidney diet works against itself: Your body needs calcium to build bones, but foods that are high in calcium are also high in phosphorus, which you have to limit. The solution, according to the American Kidney Foundation, is in calcium supplements and a special prescription form of vitamin D.

Potassium

• Potassium helps the heart and muscles work, but only in the correct amount. Too much or too little is dangerous, and, once again, it's usually up to your kidneys to regulate the amount of potassium in your diet. Your doctor will have to monitor your potassium levels through blood tests and recommend changes if necessary.

Water and Vitamins

• Fluid control is essential for kidney patients, but there's no one good guideline--how much you can drink depends on how advanced your kidney disease is. It's also important to control vitamins, and take only those your doctor recommends.