INTRODUCTION
Kidney disease affects 10% of adults globally. Prolonged high blood sugar levels may damage blood vessels including those in one’s kidneys.
One in three adults with diabetes has kidney disease. The goal is to prevent the buildup of various chemicals, nutrients, and waste products in the blood to preserve kidney function.
Monitoring Intake of sugar, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
With Kidney Disease- Consume no more than 2300 mg of sodium. Monitor potassium and phosphorus according to your doctor’s or nutritionist’s advice.
The National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative does not address specific limits on potassium and phosphorus.
Watch Protein Intake- (use moderate amounts) except people with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who may need to take more. Get counsel from a Registered Dietitian.
DO NOT EAT
1.Processed Meats Bacon, Deli Meats, Sausage, Jerky, and excess sodium strain the kidneys and give you High Blood Pressure.
Suggestions- Eat lean and skinless chicken breast filets in moderation.
2. Dark Colored Sodas These have too much phosphorus.
High blood phosphorus levels for extended periods can raise your heart disease risk, weaken bones, and risk early death. High blood sugar levels damage nerves, kidneys and risk heart disease.
Suggested- Beverages low in sugar and phosphorus, water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water fused with sliced fruits or vegetables.
3. High Potassium Fruits Limit fruits high in potassium such as bananas, avocadoes, apricots, kiwi, and oranges. If you eat these, reduce the portion to ¼ or eat low potassium fruits in moderation like grapes, berries, pineapple, mangoes, and apples, but monitor the carbs.
4. Dried Fruits These are high in sugar and potassium; ie. ½ cup of apricots equal 755 mg of potassium. They also have fast-digesting sugar which is not good for diabetics.
5. Most Beans and Lentils (Canned) -.are high in sodium and fresh are no good. Get low or no sodium products and drain liquid from the can.
40-50% of phosphorus is absorbed from plant sources.
Up to 70% of phosphorus is absorbed from animal sources.
6. Packaged Foods Instant meals & fast food; 1 slice of pizza =568 mg sodium which is ¼ of the total daily amount; they have high refined carbs which cause spikes in blood sugar; limit these types of foods.
7. Fruit Juices Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages. The added sugar causes spikes. They also have high amounts of potassium.
8. Spinach Beet greens, chard, and certain other leafy green vegetables have high amounts of potassium. Spinach has oxalic acid which is an organic compound which forms oxalates. Once they bond to minerals like calcium oxalates may form kidney stones which can damage the kidneys and impair their functioning.
9. Snack Foods Chips, crackers, pretzels high in salt, and refined carbs are unsuitable for diabetics and those with kidney disease.
A medium-sized size of potato chips -682 mg of potassium, 300 mg of sodium, and 81 mg of phosphorus. These foods should be eliminated or avoided. Suggested is nutrient-dense diabetic friendly snacks
10. Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes These are high in potassium.
One medium-sized potato has 610 mg of potassium.
One medium-sized sweet potato equals 541 mg of potassium.
Potatoes can be soaked or leached to reduce potassium, or soaking after cooking them reduces the potassium by 70%. Boil for 10 minutes to reduce the potassium by 30%. Limit their intake.
CONCLUSION
What you put in your body is crucial in maintaining good health. Diabetics and those with kidney disease have to be very careful with their food intake.
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