The kidneys control the amount of wastes in the blood, along with urine production, electrolyte balances and the amount of fluid in the bloodstream. When kidney function is impaired, doctors prescribe a special diet that restricts the intake of nutrients that make the kidneys work harder. The renal diet helps slow the progression of kidney disease and helps people with this condition avoid serious complications.
Dairy Products
When kidney function declines, the level of phosphorus in the blood may increase. This results in the need to restrict intake of high-phosphorus foods and replace them with foods that have lower phosphorus content. Several dairy foods are high in phosphorus, including yogurt, hard cheese and low-fat milk. Davita, a company that provides dialysis and counseling services to people with chronic kidney disease, recommends replacing hard cheese with low-fat cottage cheese or very small amounts of Parmesan cheese. Swap ice cream for lower-phosphorus sorbet. Use nondairy creamer instead of milk in coffee or tea.
Fruits and Vegetables
People with advanced kidney disease may have to restrict their potassium intake. When the kidneys do not work properly, blood levels of potassium increase. If potassium levels get too high, serious complications can occur. Restricting potassium intake helps to prevent fatigue, weakness, heart failure and even death. High-potassium fruits and vegetables include potatoes, bananas, kiwi, oranges, nectarines, cantaloupe, dried beans and tomatoes. Replace these foods with alternatives like apples, grapes, berries, pineapple, green beans, onions and bell peppers.
Proteins
The metabolism of protein creates waste products known as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Normal kidneys filter these waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine. Impaired kidneys do not filter these substances out of the blood, so they accumulate in the bloodstream and cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. A low-protein diet reduces the symptoms and may help slow the progression of kidney disease. Eat high-quality proteins that contain all of the essential amino acids. High-quality protein sources include fish, poultry and eggs, according to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. People who need hemodialysis for advanced kidney disease actually need more protein because of the protein loss that occurs during the dialysis process. The National Institutes of Health reports that patients undergoing dialysis should eat 8 to 10 oz. of high-protein foods daily.
Snack Foods
People with chronic kidney disease have to monitor their sodium intake. Too much sodium causes water retention, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the blood vessels. This causes blood pressure levels to increase. Excess sodium and fluid in the blood also causes swelling, or edema, of the ankles, feet and legs. Avoid snack foods that contain high levels of sodium. These foods include salted pretzels, potato chips, salted popcorn and salted crackers. Replace these foods with unsalted pretzels, unsalted crackers and plain popcorn. Add flavor to popcorn by using herbs and seasonings that do not contain sodium.
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