A healthy kidneys diet contains lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, and very few of phosphorus and sodium-rich foods. Adopting this meal plan is a wise move regardless of whether you have or are at risk of having kidney disease as it’s healthy by default. In essence, it only limits the products that put undue stress on the kidneys, which are one of your body’s primary ‘filtering systems’.
Healthy Kidneys Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid
The diet for healthy kidneys boils down to reducing your intake of sodium, potassium, and/or phosphorus. Note that the type of element you must limit is determined by lab tests and based on the type of kidney stones you have. If you are at the general high-risk group for kidney disease, you’ll do well to consume the minimum of all three food groups.
Please remember that each of these minerals is an essential nutrient. Therefore, your body must get some amount of it daily. You’ll have to consult your doctor to determine the ‘safe dose’ of the element for you personally.
If you need to limit the intake of sodium, you should avoid:
- Salt
- Processed meats
- Junk food
To reduce phosphorus, eat fewer:
- Dairy products
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Legumes
- Bran
- Dark-colored sodas
It’s virtually impossible to limit your intake of potassium to a significant degree because this element is present in almost every product. The best you can do is to opt for low-potassium fruits and vegetables. These include:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cauliflower
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Cucumbers
The most important rule of a healthy kidneys diet is to increase your intake of liquids. Use any tool you can to help you drink more water, such as carrying a stylish water bottle or using a reminder app.
You should know that all soups and water-based foods consumed at room temperature (jelly, ice cream, etc.) are considered fluids for your kidneys.
However, you also must know that in some cases of kidney disease, one must limit their intake of fluids to a specific level. Your doctor will determine the amount of liquid you need to consume in a day and help you analyze your meal plan to make sure you don’t exceed the requirements.
No matter what your exact condition is, limiting the intake of salt, junk food, processed foods, and sodas is always a good idea. These are simple lifestyle changes, that will benefit your health greatly.
Healthy Kidneys Diet: Cranberries
Cranberries are so good for the kidneys, they deserve their own category in any healthy kidneys meal plan. They contain a unique mix of phytonutrients that reduce inflammation and fight infection in the urinary system in particular.
Any type of kidney problem has inflammation as one of its symptoms and/or causes, so the effect of cranberries is sure to improve your condition.
Unfortunately, these berries taste tart and bitter to the point that eating them alone becomes nearly impossible. Dried cranberries are the same, so the majority of these products are coated in syrup to make them palatable. This is bad for you because of a huge dose of sugar.
The easiest solution that will allow you to get the kidney benefits of cranberries is to take a supplement that contains their extract. Cranberry Concentrate from Nature’s Potent equals 12,600 mg of fresh berries.
Should You Take Supplements on a Healthy Kidneys Diet?
You can take supplements to complement a diet for kidneys, especially when you don’t have access to fresh fruits and good cuts of lean meat. These products will promote kidney health in different ways, mostly relieving the symptoms of kidney disease, such as chronic inflammation.
Some of them also boost the natural kidney cleanse, which means they can be a good boost to a detox program. For example, Kidney Support with Cranberry Extract benefits the health and function of your entire urinary tract.
