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. This will help to remove some of the potassium from the potatoes.
People with kidney disease CAN enjoy potatoes! YAY! This myth came to be because potatoes are high in potassium. However, most people with kidney disease DO NOT need to limit potassium!
Choose soy, almond, cashew, or rice milk for less phosphorus and less potassium than cow's milk. Avoid cow's milk substitutes that are "Enriched" or have the word phosphorus or "phos" in the ingredient list. For a change, try hot cereal like oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, or Malto-meal.
Individuals with kidney disease should limit their intake of yogurt because it is high in potassium and phosphorus. Yogurt is high in protein, a nutrient that dialysis patients require. It's also high in calcium and vitamin D.
Eggs are the perfect protein for people with kidney disease. Keep hard-boiled eggs on hand but turn up the flavor meter and switch things up. “Deviled eggs are a great side snack,” says Chef McCargo.
While plain water is the best drink for your kidneys, other fluids are perfectly acceptable, including coffee, green tea, low-potassium juices, and infused water. Avoid sweetened, carbonated beverages and coconut water.
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.) Also, only eat 1 cup, not the whole can.
But you can still manage to squeeze in a healthy lunch that's in line with your kidney diet. Ingredients to keep on hand for a quick lunch include pre-cooked chicken or turkey, frozen shrimp, ground beef, pitas and flour tortillas, celery, onion, lettuce and mayonnaise.
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.
Yet people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have to limit dairy products in their kidney diet. High levels of phosphorus, potassium and calcium in something like low-fat milk are not good for someone on a kidney diet.
The lowdown
For healthy people, drinking low-fat cow's milk can have a protective effect on your kidneys. It can reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease and getting painful stones. However, for those diagnosed with kidney disease, the high calcium, phosphorus, and potassium levels in cow's milk can cause issues.
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.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.
Pineapple, cranberries, red grapes, and apples are all kidney-friendly fruits with anti-inflammatory properties.
The goal is to avoid taking in too much over the course of a day. Take oats. Yes, they're higher in phosphorus, but a randomized study from Clinical Nutrition found that eating a bowl a day, or about half a cup of dry oats, had a net positive effect for people with CKD.