A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, or CKD, requires a lo- protein diet to relieve as much stress on the kidneys as possible. The reason for following a low-protein diet is to prevent the need for dialysis for as long as possible. Blood values such as blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, and serum creatinine are typically monitored to assess your kidney function while you follow a diet with low-protein recipes.
Protein and the Kidneys
After protein is digested, absorbed and metabolized, it forms an end product called urea. Urea is filtered to your kidneys and excreted through your urinary tract. Those with failing kidneys are not able to adequately get rid of urea, and it builds up in the body. A low-protein diet relieves some of the kidney's workload, which can stall the need to start for kidney dialysis. Kidney dialysis is the process of cleaning the blood to sustain life when your kidneys are no longer able to.
Protein Food Sources
The National Kidney Foundation refers to complete protein food sources as "high quality" and incomplete protein food sources as "low quality." High-quality protein foods include beef, chicken, pork, eggs, egg substitute, fish and seafood. Dairy such as milk, cheese, cream, half and half, yogurt and kefir are also high in protein. Low-quality protein sources include legumes, tofu, pasta, rice, breads and cereals. Low-protein diets encourage more low-quality protein and less high-quality protein.
Adjusting Recipes
Your renal dietitian will discuss a daily diet that includes up to 0.8 to 1.0 g per kg of your body weight. How much protein you should consume depends on several factors, including your current diagnosis, past medical history, height and weight. Keep protein content low by replacing the typical bacon and eggs breakfast with low-protein foods such as oatmeal, fruits, breads and cereals. Eat broth-based soups as opposed to creamy soups. Make meat items the side dish instead of the main dish for evening meals. Reduce the chicken in casserole recipes and increase the vegetable content.
Meals and Snacks
Observe proper portion sizes when eating meals and snacks. For breakfast, combine peanut butter with quinoa or oatmeal. Prepare sliced pears sprinkled with cinnamon and served with toast. Make sandwiches for lunch with thick slices of lettuce and thin slices of deli meat. Saute mixed vegetables with tofu cubes and serve with rice and apples. Avoid protein powders and bars; snack on nuts instead. Eat sorbet or melon with mint leaves in place of ice cream.
References
- National Kidney Foundation: Low-Protein Recipes
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Nutrition for Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults
- MedlinePlus: Diet-Chronic Kidney Disease
- National Kidney Foundation: Diabates and CKD Recipes
- American Association of Kidney Patients; Medical Tests Made Easy; Jay Wish, M.D.; 2006
Member Comments