It’s very important to keep track of what you eat and drink if you are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is due to your kidneys’ inability to properly eliminate waste items from your body. A diet that is good for your kidneys can help you live a longer and healthier life.
What do you mean by a Kidney-Friendly Diet?
The kidneys’ vital role is to remove waste and excess fluid from the body through urination. They also include:
- It helps to balance Salt and potassium in the body.
- The fluids in your body should be in balance.
- Produce hormones essential for the functioning of other organs.
A kidney-friendly diet is eating such diets that aid in the prevention of further kidney damage. Some meals and drinks will have to be restricted so that other fluids and minerals, such as electrolytes, do not build up in your body. It also must be ensured that you acquire the proper balance of protein, calories, and other minerals. There may be few if any, restrictions on what you can eat if you’re in the early stages of CKD. As your sickness progresses, you’ll need to be more cautious about the diet. For the cure of kidney disease, one can opt for kidney treatment in Ayurveda, and it is very effective with long-term benefits. It has a very ancient practice of treating kidney disease, among other diseases as well.
The doctor may advise you to work with a dietitian for a diet that prevents further kidney damage. They might suggest some of the things given below-
- Cut the Sodium:
This mineral is found naturally in many foods. It’s most common in table salt. Sodium affects your blood pressure. It manages water balance in the body. Healthy kidneys keep sodium levels in check. If you have CKD, extra sodium and fluids can build up in your body. This can cause problems like swollen ankles, high blood pressure, breathing difficulty, and fluid buildup around the heart and lungs. You should aim for less than 2 grams of sodium intake.
- Calcium and phosphorus should be kept to a minimum:
These minerals are needed for healthy bones. When kidneys are healthy, they excrete phosphorus you don’t require. However, phosphorus levels can reach excessively high in CKD patients. You’re at risk for heart disease as a result of this. Furthermore, your calcium levels start to fall. Your body makes up for it by removing it from your bones. They may become frail and more readily broken as a result of this. If you have late-stage CKD, your doctor may advise you to limit your phosphorus intake to 1,000 mg per day. Calcium-rich foods also have a high phosphorus content. The doctor may suggest limiting calcium-rich foods.
- Lower Your Potassium Consumption:
This mineral helps your neurons and muscles operate normally. Your body, on the other hand, is unable to filter out extra potassium if you have CKD. If you have too much of it in your blood, it might cause serious heart problems.
Potassium can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including bananas, potatoes, avocados, oranges, cooked broccoli, raw carrots, greens (excluding kale), tomatoes, and melons. These foods can impact potassium levels in the blood.
- Limit protein-rich foods and intake iron-rich foods:
As your CKD progresses, you need more dietary modifications. This may entail limiting your intake of high-protein foods, especially animal protein. Among them are meats, fish, and dairy products. You may also require additional iron. When you have CKD, consult the doctor about iron-rich foods you can eat.
- DASH Diet:
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, seafood, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts are all part of this diet. Sodium, carbohydrates, sweets, lipids, and red meats are all low in this diet. If you have CKD, talk to your doctor about it.
Read more about: Chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda
How Do Fluids Fit In?
You generally don’t need to cut back on fluids if you have early-stage CKD. However, if your health worsens, your doctor would advise you to reduce those as well. You can reduce the consumption of fluid by:
- Salty meals should be avoided.
- Sugar-free hard candies, ice chips, or frozen grapes can help you quench your thirst.
- Keep track of your fluid in a journal or in a clearly labeled container.
For the cure of kidney disease, one can opt for kidney treatment in Ayurveda, and it is very effective with long-term benefits. It has a very ancient practice of treating kidney disease, among other diseases as well.
Consult now and get relieved naturally!
