Watermelon is healthy because it's full of lycopene – an antioxidant that helps break down harmful free-oxygen radicals. It prevents kidney injury and therefore, is a kidney-friendly food.
Watermelon (1 cup per day) is one of the good choices of fruits that most Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients can enjoy in the summer. Nutritionally, watermelon is a good source of vitamin C, beta carotene, and lycopene, a phytochemical with antioxidant activity.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a mild diuretic. It hydrates and cleanses the kidneys. It is also rich in lycopene, which improves cardiovascular health and ensures well-functioning kidneys. Watermelon also has large quantities of potassium salts which regulate acidity of urine and prevents stone formation.
Watermelon is a natural diuretic which helps increase the flow of urine, but does not strain the kidneys (unlike alcohol and caffeine). Watermelon helps the liver process ammonia (waste from protein digestion) which eases strain on the kidneys while getting rid of excess fluids.
Pineapple, cranberries, red grapes, and apples are all kidney-friendly fruits with anti-inflammatory properties.
Best time to eat watermelon
The Ayurveda expert suggests you to have it in morning between 10 am to 12 pm as breakfast or between breakfast and lunch. Dr Bhavsar says one can even have it as an evening snack post lunch before 5 pm. She cautions against having watermelon at night or with meals.
CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS
People with high potassium content in their body or those who suffer from serious hyperkalaemia should not eat more than about one cup of watermelon a day. Over consumption can result in irregular heartbeat and other cardiovascular problems, says the US National Institute of Health.
Avoid foods that have more than 300mg sodium per serving (or 600mg for a complete frozen dinner). 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.
How much melon can I eat? One melon which is acceptable for dialysis patients is watermelon. Watermelon is low in potassium with only 170 mg of potassium in a one cup serving. However, watermelon is about 92% fluid, so a serving should be limited to one cup for anyone on a fluid restriction.
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.
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)
Beta-Carotene Benefits
Beta-carotene, the water-soluble form of vitamin A in carrots, helps the kidneys filter toxins out of the blood and prevent urinary tract infections, according to Dr. George D.
Healthy options for kidney disease are protein, egg whites, fish, unsaturated fats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, apple juice, grape and cranberry juice, light colored soda. The amount of protein intake per day varies depending on the stage of kidney disease.
Most dairy foods are very high in phosphorus. People with kidney disease should limit their daily intake of milk, yogurt, and cheese to ½ cup milk, or ½ cup yogurt or 1-ounce cheese.
Laden with excellent sources of vitamin A, C and beta-carotene, purple sweet potatoes are found to reduce inflammation caused in the body. Which, in turn, may prevent dysfunctioning of kidney.
Fish and seafood
Cod, flounder, halibut, whitefish, catfish, salmon, tuna steaks and shrimp are good choices for your kidney diet.
Control your blood pressure.
Keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range may help slow the progression of kidney disease. This is especially true in people who have diabetes and protein in the urine (proteinuria).