Following a renal diet involves careful planning and attention to food labels. This type of diet restricts the intake of protein and some minerals, which slows the advancement of kidney disease. Patients following this type of diet should plan snacks, meals and desserts that fall within the guidelines provided by their physicians or dietitians.
Features
Renal diet menus should include a variety of foods with low levels of sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein. Because this type of diet restricts protein intake, replace high-protein foods with vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products, as recommended by MedlinePlus. Those with diabetes or who are obese should consult a dietitian before planning carbohydrate-based meals or snacks.
Meal Planning
Planning healthy meals requires that patients learn which foods to limit or avoid. Because this diet limits the amount of sodium each day, patients should avoid convenience foods, fast food, cured meats, luncheon meats, table salt, canned vegetables, salted snack foods, cheeses and soups. The low-phosphorus portion of the diet limits the consumption of chocolate, potatoes, corn, dairy products, fish, dried beans and eggs.
Fruits and vegetables contain potassium, so patients following this type of diet menu should learn which ones contain high levels of potassium and which foods contain low levels of potassium. Ohio State University Medical Center reports that yams, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, cantaloupe, dried prunes, lima beans, broccoli, mushrooms and pumpkin contain high levels of potassium. Lower-potassium alternatives include apples, watermelon, grapes, berries, pineapple, peaches, dried cranberries, summer squash, onion, green beans, bell peppers and snow peas. Reducing protein intake involves eating smaller portions of meat, fish and dairy products.
Snacks and Desserts
Planning snacks and desserts properly requires patients to identify restricted foods and find suitable alternatives. Because chocolate contains high amounts of potassium and phosphorus, focus on desserts made without this ingredient. Suitable desserts to include on a renal diet menu include fresh fruit with non-dairy whipped topping, angel food cake topped with fresh fruit and vanilla cake. This type of diet menu should not include salted nuts, potato chips, salted pretzels or similar snacks. Better snack choices include unsalted pretzels, air-popped popcorn, hard candy and rice cakes, as recommended by the Davita website.
Considerations
The presence of other medical conditions affects the foods included on a renal diet menu. Diabetics need to control their glucose levels by monitoring the types and portions of carbohydrates they eat. The presence of diabetes makes it necessary to eat the right carbohydrates to prevent dangerous increases in blood glucose levels. People with heart disease have to limit foods with high levels of fat and cholesterol. This makes it necessary to include lean meats, low-fat dairy products, whole-grain products, vegetables and fruits on a renal diet menu.
Fluid Restriction
In some cases, the renal diet menu should include limit amounts of liquid. Peggy Harum of the American Association of Kidney Patients explains that patients usually do not need to follow this type of restriction until stage four or five of kidney disease. During these stages, the kidneys do not maintain normal fluid levels in the body. This causes fluid to build up in the circulatory system and other tissues, which leads to swelling of the abdomen, feet, ankles and legs. Restricting fluid intake reduces the amount of fluid in the body and prevents complications associated with water retention. A renal diet menu that includes fluid restriction also limits the intake of foods that turn into liquids when eaten. Examples of these foods include soups, ice pops, ice cream and gelatin.
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