More than 10 percent of all adults living in the United States have some form of kidney disease, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes are the leading causes of kidney problems. Consuming a healthy diet aimed at kidney health can help reduce your risk of suffering from a kidney disorder.
Carbohydrates
Consistently elevated blood glucose levels -- often the result of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes -- is a leading cause of kidney disease. Keeping your blood glucose levels stable can significantly reduce your kidney disease risk, the NIDDK notes. Keys to managing blood glucose include maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet that limits fast-digesting carbohydrates such as refined grains and sugar. Instead, your healthy diet for kidneys should include an abundance of slow-digesting carbohydrates such as fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and vegetables.
Sodium
Excess sodium intake can increase blood pressure in overweight or salt-sensitive people. The NIDDK advises people to aim at a blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg to prevent kidney disease. Some of the more common sodium-rich culprits in people's diets include frozen meals, canned vegetables, cured meats and potato chips. Consider flavoring your good with sodium-free options such as pepper, curry powder and garlic.
Fats
Choosing the right fats is an important part of a healthy kidney diet, advises the Joslin Diabetes Center. Limit your consumption of saturated and trans fats, which raise "bad" LDL cholesterol and lower "good" HDL cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol promotes kidney damage, Joslin adds. Include healthy fat sources in your kidney diet such as raw almonds, oily fish and flaxseeds. You can also lower your cholesterol by consuming soluble fiber-rich foods such as beans and oatmeal.
Protein
Your body requires dietary protein to build immune cells, repair damaged tissue and to create enzymes. However, excess protein can damage your kidneys or worsen existing kidney problems. Sedentary and moderately active people require approximately 0.4 g of protein for every lb of body weight, the University of Arizona states. Healthy sources of protein include lean chicken, fish, soy and lentils.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney and Urologic Diseases Statistics for the United States
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
- Joslin Diabetes Center: How to Prevent Kidney Disease
- MayoClinic.com: High-Protein Diets
- University of Arizona: Protein Needs
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