If you have diabetes, you may develop renal disease over time. The combination of both diseases means that you will need to carefully monitor the foods you eat. You should also limit carbohydrates because the starch turns into glucose in the body; this practice is called carbohydrate counting. You also need to make sure that the foods that are selected are low in potassium, phosphorus and sodium. A dietitian can work with you to help determine what foods are appropriate.
Carbohydrates
If you have diabetes and renal disease, you need to keep track of the amount of carbohydrates you eat with each meal and those in your snacks during the day. Managing carbohydrates is key to keeping your blood sugar levels even throughout the day. Carbohydrates with low levels of potassium, phosphorus and sodium include a small bagel, one-third cup of rice, three-fourth cup of dry unsweetened cereal and one-third cup noodles, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients.
Low-Potassium Foods
High or low levels of potassium can cause muscle problems or heart arrhythmias. In renal disease, your kidneys are not able to remove extra potassium from the body, so foods with high levels of potassium should be avoided. Examples of foods that are low in potassium include apples, grapes, pears, cucumber, lettuce and watermelon. A dietitian can teach you how to determine how much of each food is in a single carbohydrate serving.
Low-Phosphorus Foods
Phosphorus is a mineral that plays a role in the health of bones; if you have kidney disease, the levels of phosphorus in your body can increase. This can lead to a decrease of calcium and subsequent weakening of the bones. You should eat low-phosphorus foods like broccoli, zucchini, sweet green pepper, corn or mushrooms, as noted on Drugs.com. The exact portion for these foods should be confirmed by a dietitian.
Low-Sodium Foods
Sodium is important for the functioning of the body, but too much sodium can cause an increase in blood pressure and swelling of your ankles or hands if you have kidney disease. Because the kidneys in renal disease are unable to adequately remove sodium from the body, you have to monitor sodium intake closely. Cooking with salt is not acceptable; using spices or lemon for flavor is a better option. Fruits and vegetables are low in sodium; meats and fish without salt or high-salt marinades can be good choices as well. A dietitian can help with portion size to help maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.
