High blood pressure or hypertension, chronic kidney disease and diabetes often occur together. You have to manage all three conditions at once; changing your diet will have to incorporate issues from each disease, according to DLife.com. You would need to lower your sodium intake for your high blood pressure; you would have to manage potassium, phosphorus and protein levels for your kidney disease; and you would have to monitor your carbohydrate intake to control your glucose levels.
Low Sodium Foods
Patients with diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease often have to limit sodium intake. Sodium increases the amount of fluid that your body contains which causes higher blood pressure levels; limiting sodium may help lower your blood pressure. High blood pressure can also further damage the kidneys so it is a good idea to maintain blood pressure control, according to DLife.com. To lower your sodium intake, you should use less salt -- both at the table and in cooking. Using herbs and spices instead of marinades also lowers the amount of salt in your food. Canned and processed foods also contain lots of sodium so cooking from scratch and using fresh vegetables and meats can help with the levels of sodium.
Low Potassium Foods
In chronic kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to eliminate potassium normally; too much potassium in the blood can lead to heart rhythm irregularities, as noted on DLife.com. High blood sugar levels can also raise potassium levels, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. To better protect your kidneys, you should limit your intake of high potassium foods; however, many fruits and vegetables contain potassium. Foods with high potassium include spinach, sweet potatoes, avocado, and tomato and tomato juice, as noted on Drugs.com. Bananas, cantaloupe and oranges are also high in potassium, as noted by the Canadian Diabetes Association. Lower potassium options include green beans, lettuce and raw cabbage. Your dietitian can give you more choices.
Low Phosphorus Foods
Excess phosphorus in the body can lead to bone weakening because of calcium loss, as reported on DLife.com. Your kidneys may not remove the necessary amount of phosphorus in renal disease; you need to modify your intake of phosphorus-containing foods. You would need to modify your intake of dairy products, beans, nuts, cola drinks and beer, according to Drugs.com. Meats also contain phosphorus, as noted by American Association of Kidney Patients. Because you also have to monitor your glucose levels when selecting foods to eat, your dietitian can help you determine portion sizes for optimal blood sugar levels.
Protein Management
Kidneys in various stages of renal failure are less able to remove the waste products of protein metabolism, as noted on Drugs.com. Limiting the amount of protein eaten can help protect the kidneys. You should avoid high-sodium meats such as bacon, luncheon meats, organ meats and salami, according to American Association of Kidney Patients. High potassium or phosphorus protein foods like dried beans, cheeses and peanut butters should be limited to one serving per day, as noted by the Canadian Diabetes Association. It is important to still get enough protein in since protein is important to the functioning of the body; your dietitian can help you with your diet plan.
Carbohydrate Management
As a person with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, you need to be able to incorporate the guidelines for limiting sodium, potassium and phosphorus with watching the numbers of carbohydrates that you consume. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars which increase your blood sugar levels, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients. The foods that you choose should be low in these minerals. Some low potassium and phosphorus fruits include apples, pears, strawberries, watermelon and cherries. Low potassium, phosphorus and sodium starches include white bread, bagels, noodles, pasta and rice. Your dietitian can help you with portion sizes to allow you to better manage your glucose levels while keeping the levels of other minerals under control.
References
- American Association of Kidney Patients: How Can I Follow My Diabetic and Renal Diet Restrictions?
- Canadian Diabetes Association: Diet for Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Tips for Educators
- DaVita.com: Diet Tips for Diabetics with Kidney Disease
- DLife.com: What is the Kidney Diet?
- Drugs.com: Renal Failure Diet
