Welcome to Linkingo’s complete guide on foods that heal kidneys! In the last article, we discussed changes you should make to your diet to improve kidney functions. Today, with the principles we have set, let’s dive into details:
So, what exactly should you consume if you got CKD?
Choosing foods for kidney disease patients is troublesome for both themselves and their family members. It is because dietary restrictions for each person are different: They vary depending on the level of kidney damage and the patient’s health status. For example, if you are in the first stages of CKD, the list of ingredients you can consume will differ from those with kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease – ESTR).
In this list, Linkingo has researched and examined thoroughly before selecting beneficial kidney healing foods for patients of all stages. Regardless of your condition, those in this list can heal your kidney disease, limit waste in your bloodstream, and stabilize blood pressure levels.
Before going through the foods that heal kidneys, we need to check the common principles first. While diet restrictions vary, CKD patients should restrict the following nutrients:
You consume sodium in your daily meals, as it is contained in table salt. While healthy kidneys work to filter out excessive sodium, a damaged kidney can’t. Patients with kidney disease should keep their sodium intake at less than 2,000mg per day.
Although potassium is crucial for the body to function appropriately, kidney disease patients need to cut down potassium intake. It is to prevent the risk of dangerously high blood levels. Experts recommend limiting potassium levels to less than 2,000mg per day.
Phosphorus is available in many foods. However, as you have kidney disease, your kidneys cannot remove excess phosphorus. A high level of phosphorus can cause damage to the body. Hence, dietary phosphorus should be restricted to less than 800-1,000 per day for kidney disease patients of all stages.
Protein creates more wastes in the bloodstream. As your kidneys don’t function properly, they cannot filter out the wastes. However, those at the end stage of kidney disease and who are undergoing dialysis might have more significant protein needs.
It is essential to keep these in mind before choosing your foods, so we review the list of nutrients you should avoid once. For more information, you may see our comprehensive guide on kidney disease diet.
Fortunately, CKD patients still have a wide range of options. There are many foods for them to choose from that are low in sodium, potassium, phosphorus and contain a safe protein level. Let’s take a look at the best 10 foods that can protect our kidneys.
Cauliflower is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains folate and fiber. Adequate fiber is beneficial for people with kidney disease because it keeps gastrointestinal function properly, prevents pockets inside the colon, and promotes regularity. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and cholesterol, which affect kidney functions. Furthermore, cauliflower is full of anti-inflammatory compounds like indoles.
According to the FoodData Central, one cup (124 grams) of cooked cauliflower contains:
There are many ways to cook cauliflower. You can serve it raw as crudites with dips or add it to a salad. You may season with spices like turmeric, curry powder, pepper, and herb seasonings if you prefer to boil. Another recipe is making a non-dairy white sauce, pouring it over the cauliflower, and baking until tender. Suppose you are undergoing dialysis and would like to find an alternative to mashed potatoes, you can mash cauliflower for a low potassium side dish.
As a cruciferous vegetable, cabbage is full of phytochemicals. They are a group of chemicals found in fruits or vegetables that break up free radicals before they can harm the body. Scientists have proven that some phytochemicals can prevent and fight against cancer.
Aside from that, cabbage is also a rich source of vitamin B6 and folic acid. According to studies, chronic kidney disease can lead to vitamin B6 deficiency. Therefore, cabbage can serve as an affordable addition to the kidney diet.
Cabbage is low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. One cup (around 70 grams) of shredded cabbage contains:
Cabbage can be consumed raw as a topping or addition to fish tacos. If you prefer cooked cabbage, you can steam, microwave, or boil it with butter or cream cheese plus pepper and serve it as a side dish. You can stuff cabbage with ground meat and bake it for a delicious and hearty meal on special occasions.
Red bell pepper is a flavorful vegetable, but that’s not the only reason we add it to the list. It is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, and vitamin B6, folic acid, and fiber. Studies indicate that a small red bell pepper contains 105% of the vitamin C one needs per day. That’s why bell pepper is excellent in improving the immune system and restoring kidney functions. Furthermore, it contains lycopene, an antioxidant that protects one’s self from cancer.
One small red pepper (74 grams) contains:
There are many ways to enjoy this tasty vegetable. You can eat raw with dip as a healthy snack or appetizer. You may as well mix red bell pepper into tuna or chicken salad. A more flavorful recipe is to roast peppers and use them for topping on sandwiches, chop them on an omelet, or add them to kabobs on the grill. If you want to host a party, just stuff peppers with ground turkey and bake them for the main dish.
In fact, choosing the right greens for chronic kidney disease patients can be tricky. Many healthy vegetables such as spinach and kale have a high level of potassium. Therefore, they are not suitable for a renal diet.
That’s when arugula shines. This nutrient-dense green is low in potassium. Thus, it becomes a perfect choice for kidney-friendly salads and side dishes. It is rich in vitamin K, mineral manganese, and calcium. All of these are incredibly beneficial for kidney functions. Most importantly, arugula contains nitrates, which are effective in lowering blood pressure. It is a crucial advantage for those with chronic kidney disease.
One cup (20mg) of raw arugula contains:
Arugula can be eaten raw or cooked. You can use raw arugula leaves in salads, either on their own or in combination with other lettuces. Since arugula’s taste is quite peppery, it often serves as a part of lettuce blends, especially if arugula is the strongest in flavor. It can be a perfect addition to your sandwich as well. Aside from that, you can use arugula in soups, lasagnas, pasta dishes, pestos, and vegetable sauces.
Most fishes are high in phosphorus. Among them, sea bass contains the lowest amount. It is also a healthy source of protein and omega-3 – an essential fat for the body. It helps stabilize blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, lower triglyceride levels in your kidneys by slowing the rate they form in the livers.
Still, do remember to consume only a small portion of sea bass each meal to keep your protein levels in control.
Three ounces (85 grams) of cooked sea bass contains:
Whether you serve sea bass baked, grilled, pan-fried, or in a fish pie, sea bass can be the perfect dish for those with kidney disease. It tastes good with light and zesty flavors such as lemon, fennels, and fresh herbs.
Egg whites are most suitable for those in the late stage of kidney disease. They provide the highest quality of protein with all the essential amino acids. Kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis have higher protein needs but have to limit phosphorus. Compared with other protein sources such as egg yolks or meat, egg whites contain the least phosphorus and sodium.
Two large egg whites (66 grams) contain:
It is best to buy powdered, fresh, or pasteurized egg whites. You can enjoy an omelet or a delicious egg white sandwich. Pasteurized egg whites are a great addition to your smoothies or shakes. If you want to have some snacks or appetizers, treat yourself to some deviled egg snacks or tuna salad with hard-boiled egg whites as toppings.
A limited protein intake is essential to keep our bodies functioning properly, even for kidney disease patients. No matter what stage you are at or whether you are undergoing dialysis or not, providing the body with an adequate amount of high-quality protein is vital for health.
In that case, skinless chicken is a good choice. Keep in mind that skinless chicken provides less sodium, potassium, and phosphorus than skin-on chicken.
When you shop for chicken, remember to choose fresh chicken and avoid pre-made roasted chicken. It is seasoned with different kinds of spices, therefore contains a large amount of sodium and potassium.
Three ounces (84 grams) of skinless chicken include:
There are many recipes for chicken breast, but the most popular one is oven-baked. You can also try a slow-cooker recipe or vegetable stuffed chicken. All of them can become a hearty and tasty main dish!
Most chronic kidney disease patients assume that they cannot enjoy tropical fruits because most tropical fruits like oranges, bananas, and kiwis are very high in potassium, which can harm the patient’s body.
Luckily, there is still a sweet, low potassium alternative beneficial for their kidney functions: Pineapple. Researches show that pineapple is a rich source of fiber, manganese, vitamin C, and bromelain. It doesn’t only help reduce inflammation but also restore kidney functions.
A cup (156 grams) of pineapple chunks contains:
Strawberry is a rich source of two phenols, which are Anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Aside from giving strawberries the red color, anthocyanins are also powerful antioxidants that protect the body’s cell structures and prevent oxidative damage. Secondly, strawberries also provide vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. They are capable of protecting the heart and provide anti-inflammatory components.
5 medium fresh strawberries contain:
You can add strawberries to cereals, smoothies, or salads. Serving them fresh or adding whipped topping is also a good idea. In case you prefer a more elaborate dessert, you can make strawberry pudding or sorbet.
Flavonoids are what give red grapes the reddish color. They are effective in controlling blood pressure, preventing heart disease, and reducing the formation of blood clots. Grapes also contain resveratrol which stimulates the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps relax muscles and increase blood flow to the kidneys, making their functions smoother.
½ cup of serving red grapes contains:
As you go to the grocery, choose grapes with red skin instead of purple skin as they contain higher anthocyanin. For those who are undergoing dialysis, there will be days when you have to limit fluid intake. In that case, you can freeze grapes and eat them as snacks to quench thirst. You might even make yourself delicious grape juice.
As you see, even when you are living with kidney disease, you still have many choices. In fact, kidney disease patients can totally enjoy delicious foods and simultaneously heal kidney disease and improve their health.
Choosing the right foods for kidney disease patients is indeed crucial. However, if you would like to reverse the condition permanently, that alone is not enough. It requires a comprehensive healing plan that combines both diet and lifestyle changes.
This systematic approach to kidney disease will provide you with a complete list of ingredients you should consume and avoid. It goes deep into the nutrition benefits of each food so you can grasp an idea of whether a particular food is suitable for your specific health condition or not. Since kidney disease patients have different nutrition needs, restrictions, and allergies, understanding this is very important.
Then, the system lays out a step-by-step plan that covers daily menus, grocery lists, food recipes, and mealtime schedules that you can follow right away. If you are worried that this meal plan will come with a high cost, then let me tell you, all of the ingredients are affordable and easy to find in any grocery store. You don’t need to go all the way just to heal the condition since the remedies are all around us.
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All the recipes in The Kidney Disease Solution have to meet two qualities: Beneficial for kidney disease patients and delicious. It’s time for you to forget about those strict diets and tasteless meals. With this program, you can get rid of your condition while eating like a king!
The system shall serve as your personal guide on restoring kidney functions. Aside from dieting, it also helps you establish an exercise schedule and provides tips to improve your mental health. Most importantly, everything is 100% natural and poses no risk to the body! In other words, the Kidney Disease Solution program is the safest way to eliminate any kidney problem.
If you want to learn more about the program, you can read our comprehensive Kidney Disease Solution review here. Thanks to a reader’s request, Linkingo had a chance to experience the actual product and wrote a detailed analysis on The Kidney Disease Solution. I’m sure you will find the answer to all of your doubts in this post!
Above, Linkingo has listed out all of the beneficial foods for kidney disease patients of all stages. As you see, even if you are living with the condition, you still can enjoy healthy and flavorful meals.
It is best to consult your doctor about incorporating these 10 foods into your healing diet plan. Please remember that they are hearty and delicious for everyone, even your family members or friends who aren’t undergoing kidney disease treatment or dialysis. Changing your diet with these foods is a massive move in getting rid of kidney disease!
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