In addition to removing wastes and fluid, your kidney helps to regulate minerals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. With chronic kidney disease, these minerals tend to accumulate in the body, which may further worsen kidney function. Kidney failure is the final stage of chronic kidney disease, characterized by a glomerular filtration rate (a measure of kidney function) of fewer than 15ml per minute. Usually, dialysis or kidney transplant is recommended at this stage. Consult your doctor to find out about your stage of kidney disease. This helps determine the type of foods you should avoid to minimize the buildup of waste products in your body.
Protein
According to the National Kidney Foundation, people with chronic renal failure who are not undergoing dialysis should consider limiting protein intake to 0.6g to 0.8g protein per kilogram of body weight (for example, if you weigh 60kg, you need to restrict your protein to a range of 36g to 48g per day). Fifty percent of the dietary protein should be of high biologic value (protein from animal products). There is evidence that suggests a low protein diet may retard the progression of renal failure or delay the need for dialysis therapy. However, it's important to ensure adequate energy intake from carbohydrates and healthy fats to maintain nutritional status. For people who are on dialysis, the protein requirement is higher (1.2g to 1.3g protein per kilogram body weight).
Sodium
Chronic kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, and hypertension can further worsen renal function. Sodium is usually restricted to 2,000mg per day. It's present in all kinds of food, including meats, milk products and bread products. However, foods that are particularly high in sodium such as cured meats, cheese, canned soups, packaged mixes and some snack foods such as salted popcorn, pretzels and chips should be avoided. Read the nutrition fact labels to make sure you avoid food that has a sodium content of more than 400mg per serving.
Potassium
The kidneys eliminate 90 percent of potassium in healthy individuals. People who have renal failure tend to have excess potassium accumulating in the body. A dangerously high potassium level can cause irregular heartbeat or a heart attack. Depending on the extent of the kidney failure, the amount of potassium allowed in your diet can vary and can be determined by the potassium level in your blood. Potassium is present mostly in fruits and vegetables. Fruits having the highest potassium content are bananas, oranges, nectarines, apricots, avocados, cantaloupe, dried fruit, mangoes and papayas. In general, fruit juices are not recommended because most of the potassium is present in fruit juices. Vegetables that contain the most potassium are spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus, beets, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, parsnips, pumpkin, rutabagas and artichokes. Whole grain, legumes, nuts and seeds are also high in potassium. Salt substitutes and soups made with salt substitutes such as potassium chloride should be avoided. However, salt substitutes including those made with herbs are fine.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another mineral that tends to accumulate in the blood of people with chronic renal disease. Excessive phosphorus causes body changes that pull calcium from your bones, making them weak. In general, it's recommended that phosphorus intake be restricted to 800mg to 1,000mg per day. Foods that are high in phosphorus are dairy products such as milk and yogurt; beverages including colas, beer and cocoa; organ meats; dried beans; nuts; whole grains, and bran. Your doctor may also prescribe a medicine called a phosphate binder to be taken with meals to decrease your absorption of phosphorus.
Saturated Fat and Cholesterol
Heart disease is very common in people with chronic kidney disease. Therefore it's important to lower your risk of heart disease by lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Foods high in saturated fat content include fatty meats, poultry skin, cream and butter, whole milk and cheese, palm oil, coconut oil and baked goods including doughnuts and pastries. If your triglyceride level is high,avoid or limit alcohol intake, foods with high simple sugars such as fruit juices and regular sodas, and high-fat foods.
