Your kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and wastes from your body. If your kidneys develop a disorder or disease, waste can accumulate in your blood. It is important to adhere to a diet low in fat, sodium, sugar to promote optimal kidney function. Ensure your diet doesn't include foods that contribute to high blood pressure or diabetes, which are common causes of kidney disease.
Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits contain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E and fiber, which contain powerful antioxidant nutrients that promote healing from kidney disease and infection. Vegetable and fruit examples include red bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, garlic, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, cherries and red grapes. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, potassium is also naturally found in many vegetables and fruits. Healthy kidneys automatically filter and remove excess potassium amounts from your blood. Diseased or poorly functioning kidneys may fail to remove excess potassium. Therefore, it is important to limit potassium rich foods in your diet if your kidneys are impaired.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are naturally low in fat, high in fiber and contain bountiful amounts of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for proper kidney function. They also contain vitamins such as niacin, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, and selenium, which are helpful in aiding healthy kidney functions. Examples of whole grains foods include millet, bulgur, barley, spelt, oatmeal, buckwheat, rye, wild rice, brown rice, whole grain bread, whole grain pastas and cereals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that help prevent inflammation and promote proper body functions including kidney function, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Examples of foods rich in omega-3 nutrients include salmon, mackerel, lake trout, sardines, herring, halibut, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, canola oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil. These foods are also protein sources. If you have a kidney condition, limit your protein intake since impaired kidneys may fail to effectively remove protein from waste. Consult your doctor to receive additional dietary information.
Water
Everyday you lose water through perspiration, breathing, bowel and urine movements. Therefore, it is important to consume adequate amounts of liquids. In addition to hydrating your body, consuming at least eight 8-oz. glasses, or 64 oz., of water daily helps your body flush out toxins and carries nutrients to your cells, which promotes kidney health. Consuming foods with high water content is also beneficial. These include grapes, lettuce, soup, tomatoes, celery, gelatin, apples, melons and oranges.
References
- National Kidney Foundation; Nutrition and Early Kidney Disease; 2010
- Medical College of Wisconsin: Diet for Renal Patient
- Davita.com: Top 15 healthy foods for people with kidney disease
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse:
- MayoClinic.com; Water: How much should you drink every day?; April 17, 2010
