The kidneys are your body’s main filtration mechanism. They remove waste and excess fluid from your blood and help maintain electrolyte balance. When the function of your kidneys is limited, they lose the ability to filter properly. When this happens, you have to work to keep the concentration of wastes, fluid and electrolytes normal through your diet. The general guidelines for a renal diet are similar for all patients with limited renal function, though some aspects will be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Potassium
Potassium works with sodium to maintain water balance in your body and blood. Healthy kidneys remove excess potassium through urination. Kidneys with limited function allow potassium to build in the blood. High blood potassium levels can disrupt normal heartbeat and even trigger a heart attack. The diet plan for limited renal function requires you to restrict your potassium intake. Avoid high potassium foods such as bananas, tomatoes, nuts, beans, cantaloupe, prunes, avocados, milk, papayas, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Phosphorus
Healthy kidneys remove excess phosphorus from the blood, keeping the concentration at a normal level. When your renal function is limited, phosphorus accumulates in the blood. To compensate for this increase, your body pulls calcium from your bones, causing adverse effects such as muscle pain, brittle bones and calcification of the skin, joints, blood vessels and heart. A renal diet generally involves restricting your phosphorus intake. Avoid high phosphorus foods such as beans, dark grains, dried fruits and vegetables and chocolate. Limit meat, poultry, fish and dairy products.
Fluids
Healthy kidneys help maintain the amount of fluid in your blood. When your kidneys are damaged, they allow fluid to accumulate, which can lead to increased blood pressure as well as generalized swelling in your body tissues. When you have limited renal function, your doctor may put you on a fluid restriction. This means that you must limit the fluids you drink, as well as the foods you eat that melt down to fluid such as ice cream, ice pops and gelatin.
Sodium
Sodium restrictions are generally prescribed as a “no added salt” diet, according to Virginia Commonwealth University Health. Too much sodium triggers your thirst mechanism, making it more difficult to adhere to your fluid restriction. Sodium also causes your body to retain water, which can increase your blood pressure, causing further damage to your kidneys. Avoid adding salt to your meals and foods that are especially high in sodium such as canned foods, frozen foods and processed foods.
Protein
The breakdown of protein creates a waste product called urea. Healthy kidneys pull urea out of the blood and remove it from your body through your urine. When your kidney function is limited, your kidneys do not recognize urea as a waste product and allow it to accumulate in your blood. When following a renal diet, limit protein from animal sources such as meat, eggs, fish, chicken, milk, cheese and yogurt. Meet your protein needs from plant sources such as grains and vegetables.
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