Food Groups For Kidney Patients

Kidneys are paired organs, about the size of your fist, that help to keep your body chemically balanced and clean. If you have kidney disease, your kidneys no longer accomplish their tasks appropriately. As a result, you may require medical treatments, such as medications, dialysis or surgery. Continuing to eat a "normal" diet can make your condition worsen faster, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. An appropriate diet may have the opposite effect.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants -- nutrients that boost your body's ability to protect itself and heal from infections and disease. While consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables is important, varieties rich in the mineral potassium may increase potassium levels in your blood to dangerous levels, particularly if you have late-stage kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation, NKF. In addition to monitoring your potassium levels with your doctor's guidance, opting for lower-potassium varieties, such as apples, cranberry juice, canned fruit, berries, plums, pineapple, leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli may improve your condition or prevent it from worsening.

Grains

Grains provide glucose -- your body's main dietary source of energy. Since your protein intake may be restricted when faced with kidney disease, according to the NKF, you may require more carbohydrates in order to meet your daily caloric needs. Your doctor may suggest a low-phosphorus diet, since impaired kidneys may not be able to remove excess phosphorus from your blood. If this is the case for you, avoid whole grains, quick breads, biscuits, pancakes and waffles. Lower-phosphorus grain options include refined, or "white," breads, dinner rolls, English muffins, pasta, cereals, rice and croissants. When purchasing prepared foods, check ingredient lists to ensure that whole grains are not listed as main ingredients. If you do not require a reduced-phosphorus diet, whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal are valuable sources of fiber and nutrients.

Protein

Protein provides amino acids -- the building blocks of lean tissue. Protein-rich foods help to ensure strong immune system function and promote tissue repair, physical strength and brain function. Your doctor may recommend a low-protein diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, since a high-protein diet may worsen kidney health. To stay within your doctor's recommendations, incorporate modest-sized portions of high-quality protein sources such as lean meats, legumes or fish into your meals. You can also substitute lower-protein alternatives, such as egg substitute, imitation crab meat and beef stew for high-protein foods, such as beef, fish and chicken.

Fats

Fats provide energy, transport fat-soluble nutrients and help your body produce substances that regulate your blood pressure. As calorie-dense foods, increasing your fat intake may help to prevent or reverse undesired weight loss, which can worsen your overall health. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends opting for heart-healthy fat sources, such as canola, peanut safflower and olive oil in place of saturated fat sources, such as butter and margarine. Try grilling vegetables, fish and bread in olive or canola oil for added fat, calories and flavor.