White bread is typically recommended over whole wheat bread on a renal diet due to its lower phosphorus and potassium levels. All bread contains sodium, so it's best to compare food labels and choose a lower sodium variety.
In short, yes! Bread and other healthy carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet for kidney disease.
Suitable bread types
White or brown pan loaf, baguettes, pitta bread, ciabatta, chapattis, white or granary bread rolls are all suitable. Your dietitian will decide if you can eat wholemeal bread based on your blood levels. Your dietitian will also guide you on how many slices you should eat per day.
Phosphorus is another ingredient that though required by the body can accumulate in the blood and cause weak bones in kidney patients. Foods to eat include: Rice cereals, corn, and cream of wheat. Sourdough, Italian, and French bread.
Organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation, the American Kidney Fund, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the US Department of Health and Human Services recommend not including whole grains as part of the renal diet.
Thankfully, many Chinese cuisine items are low in potassium and full of healthy veggies. However, it's important to limit or avoid soups, soy sauce, MSG and other high-sodium ingredients.
Foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, such as crisps, chocolate, biscuits and cakes, can be included in your diet. However, because they do not contain good nutrients, they should only be included in small amounts occasionally.
Dark chocolate has many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving vascular system function, and reducing total cholesterol and LDL. These significant benefits could reduce chronic kidney disease or kidney failure complications. However, milk chocolate bars can also harm those with kidney disease.
Sandwiches that are low in sodium and phosphorus, plus limit potassium are a great fit with the kidney diet.
Explore Healthy Snacks for Chronic Kidney Disease
Fresh fruits, veggies, and protein are great everyday choices. You can also enjoy low-sodium chips, crackers, or fruit-based desserts for a treat on the go.
Avoid foods that have salt in the first four or five items in the ingredient list. Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup. Only eat reduced-sodium soups that don't have potassium chloride as an ingredient (check the food label.)
Avoid salty items like soy sauce, French fries (also high in potassium), and macaroni and cheese. Instead, order vegetables like carrots, green beans, or corn.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese can be part of a healthy kidney diet. Shop for natural cheeses, avoiding items labeled “cheese food” or “cheese product.” Greek yogurt and cottage cheese can be easy and tasty snacks, and, in most cases, milk servings should be 1 cup per day.
4. Put limits on phosphorus- and potassium-laden foods. To keep phosphorus and potassium levels at a minimum, cut out or reduce your intake of dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, creamy soups, chocolate), dried beans, peas, nuts and peanut butter.
Chocolate, or the compounds within it, does not have any known negative effect on kidney function. However, if you already have kidney disease you may have to limit your intake of chocolate due to the high content of potassium or other minerals.
Tomatoes are a good way to add extra potassium to your diet and decrease the need to take an additional potassium pill. Eating tomatoes will not have an effect on forming kidney stones.
Onions are excellent for providing sodium-free flavor to renal-diet dishes. Reducing salt intake can be challenging, making finding flavorful salt alternatives a must. Sautéing onions with garlic and olive oil adds flavor to dishes without compromising your kidney health.
Broccoli is a medium potassium food, low in sodium and phosphorus, and suitable for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Yogurt is packed with protein, a nutrient in high demand for dialysis patients. It's also a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Although high in potassium and phosphorus, dietitians may recommend limiting to a 4-ounce portion if you are following a low-potassium, low-phosphorus kidney diet.
Subway: Choose 6” sub, good ideas for fillings include chicken breast, tuna, ham, egg mayo, beef, turkey breast, club, sweet onion teriyaki and salad. The wraps available are all okay for those following a low salt diet.
Although shrimp has more cholesterol than other seafood, the amount is still reasonable for a kidney diet. Plus, there's practically no fat in a serving of shrimp. Look for fresh shrimp that has never been frozen, and check the labels for added phosphates or salt.