According to the National Institute of of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure and accounts for about 44 percent of new cases. More than 100,000 new cases of kidney failure are diagnosed each year when the kidneys can no longer rid the body of waste. With almost 24 million diabetics in the United States, the need for a diabetic diet suitable for those with kidney failure is important for helping these patients manage their condition.
Dietary Management
Your dietitian can help you plan meals that balance your blood sugar levels and minimize the amount of waste the kidneys need to process. Balancing calorie intake while lowering the amounts of sodium, potassium, phosphorus and fluids you consume will help manage both your diabetes and kidney failure. You should always read food labels to monitor the amounts of sodium and other minerals you consume, as too much sodium will cause you to retain fluid. Spacing out your consumption of carbohydrates during the day helps keep your blood sugars from fluctuating too much.
Carbohydrates
White bread and unsweetened cereals are good choices of carbohydrates. Avoid whole-wheat bread, bran, granola and all salted snacks, such as chips and crackers. Limit starchy vegetables, such as corn, peas and potatoes, which are high in carbohydrates. Nonstarchy vegetables such as beets, asparagus, green beans and turnips are better choices. Limit fruits, as they're high in natural sugars. Pick apples, berries and watermelon over bananas, cantaloupe and oranges.
Protein
Avoid higher fat protein foods, such as bacon, lunch meats, nuts, sausage and American and cheddar cheeses. Good protein sources that are preferable include lean meats, poultry, fish and eggs. Low-cholesterol egg substitutes are a good choice for those watching cholesterol intake. Dairy products are often limited to 4 oz. per serving due to the high potassium, protein or phosphorus content. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products. You should limit or avoid cottage cheese as it is high in sodium.
Fats and Beverages
You should avoid high-fat foods such as butter, lard, shortening, whipping cream and margarines that are high in trans fats. Acceptable fat sources include soft or tub margarines that are low in trans fats, mayonnaise, sour cream, low-fat sour cream and cream cheese and low-fat mayonnaise. Diet sodas, tea or lemonade made with artificial sweetener and water are good choices. Avoid drinking regular sodas or diet dark sodas. Avoid fruit juices, sweet tea, lemonade and fruit-flavored drinks due to the sugar content.
Slowing Kidney Disease
Managing your blood pressure is important to prevent the acceleration of kidney disease. The American Diabetes Association and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommend diabetics keep their blood pressure below 130/80. Diligent control of blood sugars is helpful for those in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Diabetics with kidney disease should consume protein at the recommended levels but avoid high-protein diets. If your kidney function is severely impaired a low-protein diet may help delay the onset of kidney failure.
