Good Chinese kidney soups use herbs like Eucommia bark (Du Zhong), Astragalus (Huang Qi), and Goji berries, often with ingredients like pork shank, chicken, or Chinese yam, to nourish Kidney Jing, support lower back strength, boost energy (Qi), and replenish blood, with popular examples including Kidney Tonic Soup (Du Zhong Bu Yao Tang) and Silkie Chicken Soup (Wu Ji Tang).
Hot and Sour Soup
One cup of hot and sour soup has 90 calories, six grams of protein, and less than three grams of fat, making it a light side option. Egg drop soup is another example of a light dish you can find on Chinese takeout menus. The base of the soup is chicken broth with beaten eggs.
Asian Food:
Dishes without sauces or with a light sauce are more suitable e.g. steamed whole fish, braised meats, crispy skin chicken, sweet sauces such as plum, lemon, orange, and sweet and sour may also be lower in salt.
A Very Traditional Chinese Herbal Soup Recipe
Dried fox nut barley (芡实, qiànshí) and lotus seeds (莲子, liánzǐ) are thought to strengthen the spleen and help reduce dampness.
When serious dampness happens, there will be turbid secretion such as increased secretion of the eyes, ears, mouth, loose stools with mucus, excessive vaginal discharge in women, and eczema.
As a lifelong resident of China, I have heard since childhood that Chinese chicken soup is the best remedy when feeling unwell with a cold or flu. Chinese chicken soup, also known as Jinqian Ji, is a traditional Chinese medicinal soup made by simmering chicken, various Chinese herbs and spices in water.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, while also managing blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent damage.
Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (Family Leguminosae). It is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine for treating kidney diseases.
The healthiest Chinese food options focus on steamed or stir-fried dishes with lean proteins (chicken, shrimp, tofu) and lots of vegetables, like Beef and Broccoli, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Buddha's Delight, or Steamed Dumplings. Key tips include choosing brown rice, asking for sauces on the side or light, avoiding deep-fried items, and prioritizing broths and fresh vegetables for nutrient-dense meals.
The average sodium [salt] contents of the 13 types of soup samples are summarised in the table below. Tom Yum Goong soup had the highest average sodium contents while Kudzu root soup had the lowest average sodium contents .
These healthy soup recipes are packed full of goodness but they also pack a punch when it comes to flavour.
Worst: General Tso's Chicken
One order clocks in at around 1,500 calories and 88 grams of fat, and it delivers more sodium than you should get in a day. Other fried dishes to watch out for: sesame, orange, and sweet and sour chicken.
Top 15 Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease
Lower in potassium
Tinned cream of chicken, packet chicken noodle, oxtail soup.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
12 of the Best Drinks for Kidney Health
Acute kidney failure can be reversed with prompt hospitalization, although the recovery process can take weeks to months and requires regular monitoring, diet modifications, and medications. Chronic kidney failure, however, is often irreversible. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidney damage worsens over time.
FEAR + FRIGHT. Fear is the emotion of the kidneys and the bladder, organs associated with the water element. It is a normal adaptive emotion, but can become chronic when ignored. Kidney issues often arise when we are dealing with fear, such as a change in life direction or unstable living conditions.
Acute kidney failure can be caused by factors like severe dehydration, infections, or blockages. The good news is that with the right treatment, it's often possible to reverse kidney disease in these cases. Your kidneys can return to normal function after the underlying issue is resolved.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Made with natural ingredients such as herbs, plants and meats, Chinese soups are filling and tasty, and can help maintain your weight. You can drink Chinese soups in place of snacks, or simply have them as meal replacements.
The healthiest soups are broth-based, packed with vegetables, legumes (like lentils, beans, split peas), and lean protein (chicken, tofu), focusing on fiber, nutrients, and low sodium, with top choices including Lentil Soup, Minestrone, Miso Soup, Chicken Vegetable Soup, and Butternut Squash Soup, as they offer antioxidants, probiotics, and sustained fullness. Making soup at home allows for maximum control over ingredients, ensuring you avoid excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and added sugars.
For the healthiest Chinese takeout, choose steamed or broth-based dishes, focus on lean proteins (chicken, shrimp, tofu) with lots of vegetables (broccoli, mushrooms, snow peas), get sauces on the side to control sugar/sodium, and swap fried options for grilled or steamed dumplings. Avoid deep-fried items, heavy sauces, and fried rice, opting instead for brown rice or extra veggies to increase fiber.