Snacking is okay on the kidney diet as long as you make healthy choices. Rather than eating food that is high in sodium, such as a small bag of potato chips, a better option is a piece of kidney-friendly fruit. You also need to consider how much you eat overall.
Potato chips are crispy and yummy, but they may not be the best renal diet snack to have all the time. One serving of potato chips has about 160 mg of sodium. If you really love crunchy chips, try lightly salted tortilla chips* for a more kidney-friendly option!
Yes, you can still eat potatoes when you have kidney disease. Today, I'm sharing my favorite dairy free mashed potato recipe for you to try! The reason you may hear potatoes are “bad” for those with kidney disease is because they are high in potassium.
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.
Seafood Generally a low salt option. Limit the side of chips and replace with a side salad (limiting tomato) to reduce potassium. Remember shellfish, snapper and fresh salmon/tuna are higher potassium choices.
Explore Healthy Snacks for Chronic Kidney Disease
You can also enjoy low-sodium chips, crackers, or fruit-based desserts for a treat on the go.
Red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb is also bad for your kidneys, but to a lesser extent than processed meats. If you want to protect your kidneys, it's best to limit your intake of red meat. Try to replace at least some of your red meat with fish or poultry instead.
In fact, many people with kidney disease actually need to eat MORE potassium. Some people with kidney disease, especially those with advanced stages of disease, do struggle with high blood potassium levels. If this is you, you can STILL enjoy potatoes occasionally.
The amount and type of cheese you can have will depend on your stage of kidney disease or the type of dialysis you receive. If you need to limit phosphorus, look for ingredients on the label that contain “phos”—this means additional phosphorus ingredients have been added. For CKD choose low-sodium cheese options.
Will I be able to eat potatoes? Potatoes are very high in potassium. Avoid baked potatoes or potatoes cooked in a microwave because all of the potassium stays inside the potatoes. Avoid scalloped and instant mashed potatoes as well as French fries.
Carrots and the Kidneys
Research shows that beta carotene is one of the best nutrients for helping the kidneys flush out toxins. Beta carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, also has anti-inflammatory properties and is especially helpful for preventing and managing urinary tract infections.
The key is to stick to high-quality dark chocolate in small amounts: 20–30 grams daily with pure cocoa levels of 85% and above will provide the most benefits. Avoid candy bars and milk chocolate as they are high in ingredients that can worsen kidney disease.
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) Transplant. Hemodialysis (3 times/week)
Pick those that do not contain dried fruit, nuts or chocolate. Good options include porridge, cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Weetabix, shredded wheat, Special K and Cheerios. Potatoes. Have these only occasionally and make sure that they are boiled in plenty of water, which is then thrown away.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
Salted food items like salted biscuits nuts, Popcorn, chips, pickle, chutney, pappad, mixtures etc. Refined sugar (in excess amount), honey, glucose, jaggery, jam and jelly Refined starch products like corn flour, jelly powder, custard powder etc.
Most people with CKD can safely eat one medium (80g) tomato daily (as a one of your 5 a day), perhaps served with a cooked breakfast, lunch or salad. Canned tomatoes used in cooking are often divided into several portions for the finished meal.
When your kidneys are not healthy, you need to limit certain foods such as nuts, tomatoes and chocolate that are high in potassium. You may feel some weakness, numbness and tingling if your potassium is at a high level.
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.
Recent research shows the benefits of plant-based foods in the kidney diet. Beans are great for people with kidney disease to enjoy. Beans are affordable and easy to get! Beans are available at very low prices at grocery stores, food pantries, corner stores, dollar stores, and more.
If boiling isn't the planned cooking method, potassium may still be reduced by slicing or cutting potatoes into small pieces or grating them and soaking them in a large amount of water at room temperature or warmer for greater potassium removal.
Yes, these exotic mushrooms work as a superfood for the kidneys as they are loaded with minerals of B vitamins, copper, manganese, and selenium. Apart from that, these fiber and protein rich mushrooms make for a healthy alternative for kidney patients and people following a diet to improve renal health.
Most people with chronic kidney disease need between 60-70 grams of protein a day, which is the amount in about 7 ounces of meat or 10 large eggs.