A Sensible Diet for Kidney Patients

If you are a kidney patient, getting the proper nutrition is essential for daily health and preventing malnutrition. Kidney patients must eat a sensible diet as designed by a renal dietitian, so that you are getting necessary vitamins, minerals and protein to ward off possible infections.

Diet

• According to PeaceHealth, the kidneys are unable to filter waste and fluid out of the blood when you have a limited kidney function. While cutting out foods that are harder for the kidney to filter, keeping the diet healthy and full of nutritional calories will help prevent raised blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as an increase or decrease in weight. Those who have limited kidney function must limit calcium since it may increase the formation of stones within the organ. A dietitian will provide the proper amounts of supplements for calcium and vitamin D, depending on size, weight and kidney health.

  If you are on dialysis, there are some general suggestions to follow in order to keep healthy during the process. Eat meals regularly each day to keep your energy and nutrition levels up. According to the National Kidney Foundation, your diet should include high protein foods to help blood protein levels. You should eat eight to 10 ounces of protein each day from eggs, lean meats, poultry and fish.

  Six to 11 servings of grains are suggested by the National Kidney Foundation, especially for kidney patients undergoing dialysis. Grain sources include rice, popcorn, bread and cereal. Foods labeled "whole grain" should be avoided to maintain a healthy level of phosphorus. Milk and other dairy products should be limited, since they are high in phosphorus, but choose items such as butter, ricotta or cream cheese. The Kidney Patient Guide states that phosphate is associated with calcium, and higher levels may cause damage to the blood vessels over time.

  Two to three servings of fruits and vegetable each day are recommended. To limit potassium intake, avoid oranges, bananas, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin and asparagus. Check with a dietitian for a customized list of foods that are not acceptable to eat during kidney treatments.

Foods to Avoid

• In a sensible diet for kidney patients, limiting sodium intake is very important. According to the Kidney Patient Guide, sodium will increase blood pressure and raise fluid intake and retention, disrupting the dialysis process. Be aware of hidden salt in processed, canned or frozen foods; instead, season food with salt-free seasonings, herbs and spices.

  Regulating fluid intake is important for kidney patients, especially those on dialysis. Since the kidneys are unable to remove excess water from the system when they have limited function, watching how much fluid you drink is vital to prevent complications. For example, oedema occurs when fluid that may not be removed settles into the lungs. A renal dietitian will advise the patient on the exact amount of fluid he may consume.