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Low-Sodium, Low-Protein Diet

According to the Medical College of Wisconsin's Division of Nephrology, a low-protein, low-sodium diet is used often in the treatment of kidney disease, as limiting these two types of foods helps to relieve the kidneys of a portion of their workload, helping to prolong their useful life. But regardless of whether you are choosing to use a low-sodium, low-protein diet to combat renal disease (or the potential of renal disease), all it takes are a few simple steps to have you down the path to increased kidney health.

  1. Moderating Protein Intake

    • According to information from the The Diet Channel, a low-protein diet is typically characterized by a dietary approach that restricts overall protein intake to less than 10 percent of total calories. On average, this works out to be roughly 40 to 60 grams of protein per day, which is the equivalent of only six to eight ounces of meat--a fairly insubstantial amount. To comply with these requirements, you will be forced to place meat on the proverbial back burner, treating it as little more than a side dish or garnish. Instead of focusing your meals around meat, prepare main dishes that are rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead. Beyond worrying about meat consumption, dairy is another major source of protein, so you will have to sharply limit your consumption. Also remember that many other foods contain trace amounts of protein, so be sure to check the nutritional labels for your favorite non-meat and dairy foods to avoid accidentally straying over your daily protein limit.

    Moderating Sodium Intake

    • According to information from the Mayo Clinic, a good starting point for restricting sodium intake is to shoot for 1,500mg of sodium per day or less. This can be accomplished by ending your use of table salt, along with avoiding foods that are likely to contain high amounts of sodium such as processed or fast-foods, canned goods and other items that have a relatively long shelf life, as salt is often used as a preservative. Try to buy and prepare your food fresh whenever possible to minimize sodium intake, along with avoiding salty snacks such as popcorn, pretzels, and potato chips.

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