Fresh or frozen red meats without breading, marinades or sauce are better choices for a kidney diet. On average, fresh meat contains 65 mg of phosphorus per ounce and 7 grams of protein per ounce. Seafood is an excellent source of low-fat, high-quality protein.
For example, processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and ham are the worst for your kidneys because they contain high levels of sodium. Red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb is also bad for your kidneys, but to a lesser extent than processed meats.
Eating Too Much Meat
Animal protein generates high amounts of acid in the blood that can be harmful to the kidneys and cause acidosis – a condition in which kidneys cannot eliminate acid fast enough.
Lamb is a reasonable choice for those who want to include meat in their diet but are watching their potassium and phosphorus. Lamb is lower in these minerals than beef or pork, and is quite close to chicken, in the same portion size.
Fresh is always best. If possible, make meat sandwiches from low sodium, fresh-cooked meats such as chicken, turkey breast, roast beef, pork or fish. Use meat leftover from dinner, or cook fresh meat specifically for lunch sandwiches.
Phosphorus and Dairy Foods
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.
Mushrooms are rich in Vitamin D and are essential to regulate kidney function and help prevent 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)
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.
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.)
Your body needs protein to build tissue and stay strong, so eat the right amount without eating an excess. 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.
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.
Sandwiches are easy to make and don't take long to prepare. In the dialysis setting, sandwiches are a popular item to eat before or after dialysis treatment. Sandwiches that are low in sodium and phosphorus, plus limit potassium are a great fit with the kidney diet.
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.
Calcium-fortified soy, oat and coconut-based yogurts have a favorable nutritional composition for patients with kidney conditions.
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.
Butter contains saturated fat, which increases your risk for heart disease. The National Kidney Foundation notes that heart disease is a major risk factor for kidney disease and vice versa. Consume less butter, lard and shortening to reduce your intake of saturated fat and lower your risk for heart and kidney disease.
Tuna is kidney-friendly and an inexpensive source of protein. Make homemade tuna salad with yogurt instead of mayo and throw it into a pita for a delicious meal. Low-sodium chicken broth or bouillon cubes.