Diabetes can lead to kidney disease. The treatment for both conditions can include dietary restrictions. Some of the rules of these diets can be contradictory and hard to follow. However, with patience and attention to your dietitian, you should be able to come up with an acceptable diet plan that follows all the rules. Before embarking on any plan, check with your physician to ensure the restrictions you have in mind are safe. A diabetic renal diet needs close physician supervision.
Restrict Phosphorus
Part of the renal diet is restricting phosphorus. The kidneys are responsible for getting rid of this mineral from the body. It is involved with calcium in maintaining bone health and nerve function. However, when the kidneys are not working properly, the phosphorus builds to a toxic level. To avoid this, it is important to eat foods low in this mineral. Foods that are high in it are cola drinks, cheese and ice cream. You can drink clear sodas, and eat sherbet and zucchini squash as substitutes.
Restrict Potassium
Potassium is another mineral the kidneys handle. A high potassium level can be dangerous to your body, especially your heart, so it is important to maintain strict potassium controls when on a renal diet. According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, high potassium levels can make your heart stop. Avoid foods such as broccoli, greens, bananas, oranges, potatoes and salt substitute, among others. Try things such as apples, beans, rice and grapes to round out your diet.
Restrict Sodium
Sodium is important to a renal diet because the kidneys hand it and it also affects the amount of fluid the body retains. For this reason, it is important to restrict sodium so your body doesn't retain fluid or overwork the kidneys. Foods high in sodium include salt, potato chips, cheese and most processed foods. Use herbs and spices for flavoring food or try a squirt of lemon.
Fluid Restriction
Your doctor may put you on a fluid restriction. As your kidney disease gets worse, your kidneys may not be able to handle a great deal of fluid coming into the body. This would cause swelling and would put strain on your heart. Your doctor will tell you how much fluid you can have in a day, and it is important to stay within this restriction.
Protein Restriction
A protein restriction is something that must be closely monitored by a physician. Protein is essential in the building and repair of muscle. It is important to the body, and you must follow a strict diet so you get the right amount of protein. Protein, when broken down by the body, produces a waste product called urea. The kidneys eliminate this, but with kidney disease, their ability to do this is limited. Avoid meat, chicken, milk and eggs, according to your doctor's instructions. Grains, fruits and vegetables are low in protein, so these should not affect your levels significantly.
Carbohydrate Restriction
Diabetic diets are essentially carbohydrate-restricting diets. According to the American Association of Kidney Patients, 15 g of carbohydrates equals one serving. The number of servings you require at each meal depends on your doctor's specific calorie requirements for you. For example, one small apple is low in potassium and phosphorus and has only 15 g of carbohydrates. One slice of white bread is low in potassium, phosphorus and sodium and also has 15 g of carbohydrates. Many foods are available that fit all of the requirements of the renal and diabetic diets.
