This healthy food chart contains foods you should avoid and foods you should add to your diet if you have kidney issues.
High-Protein Foods
Animal products like red meat, poultry, fish, and eggs contain high-protein content. You do need protein to help repair tissues and build muscle. But protein also leaves behind waste that your body must eliminate. Too much protein in the diet makes the kidneys work hard and could damage them.
For your daily protein needs, you can go for fruits and vegetables, milk, oats, quinoa, etc. If you are eating meat, fish, and eggs daily, make sure they are in small quantities. (2)
Salty foods
Salt contains sodium which, in excess quantities, harms kidney health. It is added to most processed foods. Salt plays an essential role in the amount of fluid our body holds. Too much fluid affects blood pressure and can cause heart and lung disease.
Healthy kidneys help maintain the proper fluid balance. But if you have kidney issues, you may get issues related to the heart or lungs. So, avoid high sodium foods like processed foods. (3)
High in Potassium
Potassium is something that puts stress on the kidneys. You must limit its consumption if you have kidney issues. Fruits like melons, bananas, oranges, and tomatoes are high in potassium.
The mineral content is also high in dairy products, avocados, bran, nuts, beans, and lentils. Dark-colored sodas and fruit punches are also high in potassium.
High in Phosphorus
Phosphorus helps our body in forming bones and teeth. It helps our body to use carbohydrates and fats. But, it is restricted if you have stage 4 kidney disease.
Avoid dairy products, chocolate, seasoned foods, processed foods, baking soda, whole-grain bread, bran cereals, oatmeal, nuts, and sunflower seeds. Foods with low phosphorus content are corn, rice cereals, popcorn, lemonade, and some sodas that are not dark in color.
High in Calcium
An essential nutrient, calcium, is complex for kidneys. Dairy products are foods that mainly contain calcium. It is also found that some of the same foods that contain calcium also include high phosphorus levels.
So, by avoiding those foods, you are decreasing phosphorus and calcium intake together. Your healthy food chart must contain low sodium, potassium, and phosphorous foods.