American Association of Kidney Patients Recommended Diets

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is an organization begun by kidney patients looking for help for their condition, "directed by patients, for patients." Its main focus is to provide people with kidney problems as much information about their conditions as possible, with a particular emphasis on diet. Proper diet is extremely important for kidney patients, and there can be much confusion and misinformation regarding what are good diets for people with kidney problems. The AAKP maintains an extensive library at their official website, and the "diet" section contains many recommendations and much information about the right diet.

General Information about Diet for Kidney Patients

• Eating right is essential for kidney patients, both for those on dialysis and those who have received transplants. Diet must be balanced, with the correct amount of fluid intake and protein, as well as nutrients. Individual patients have individual needs, and kidney patients should be under the care of personal nutritionists who specialize in working with kidney patients. It's easy for kidney patients to become anemic, so you must eat enough iron, generally found in meats and beans. Kidney patients also need to avoid foods high in phosphates and potassium while getting enough calcium in their diets.

Potassium Safety Zone

• Kidney patients need to keep a sharp eye on their potassium levels. Potassium is a necessary nutrient, but having the wrong level of potassium can be a huge problem for kidney patients. There are some foods you can avoid and some foods you need to eat to keep your potassium levels optimal while eating healthy.

  High-potassium foods for kidney patients to avoid or limit are foods such as melons, orange juice, potatoes, nuts, spinach, chocolate and dairy products. Foods with low levels of potassium are fruits such as apples, cherries, many kinds of berries, peaches, tangerines, pineapple, plums and apples. Low-potassium vegetables are foods like cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, summer squash and zucchini.

Dialysis, Protein and Fat

• It can be difficult for dialysis patients to maintain a healthy level of fat and cholesterol due to the increased need for protein, which often comes in the form of meats. The AAKP has several recommendations about meeting your need for protein while cutting out the unhealthy fats and lowering cholesterol.

  Don't get your protein from meats with a large amount of fat, such as bacon, hot dogs and cold cuts. Choose from lean proteins like tenderloin and skinless chicken and turkey. Use egg substitutes or egg whites instead of the whole egg. Use non-stick sprays to cook your meals instead of adding butter or margarine. Eat fat-free or low-fat dairy products.