Your Kidney’s New Year Resolution | Renal Health

Posted on December 29, 2014 by majidalimd Leave a comment

Your Kidney’s New Year’s Resolution!

The following are handouts and information we present to our patients to help them understand how diet can effect problems of the kidneys.

You need Potassium and Iron

Potassium helps nerves and muscles work properly. The kidneys help keep the right amount of potassium in the body. High potassium can cause tiredness, irregular heartbeats or stop the heart without warning.

Foods High in Potassium

FRUITS	VEGETABLES
Apricots	Beets
Apples, dried	Bok Choy
Bananas	Broccoli
Blackberries	Brussels Sprouts
Cantaloupe	Cauliflower
Currants	Corn
Dates	Collard Greens
Figs	Cow Peas
Melons	Kidney and Lima Beans
Mangoes	Lentils
Nectarines	Parsnips
Strawberries	Split Peas
Avocados	Potatoes
Raisins	Rhubarb
	Soybeans
	Artichokes
	Plantains
	Fennel
	Tomatoes
Juices:	Mushrooms
Orange	Dandelion Greens
Grape	Winter Squash
Prune	Spinach (cooked)
Pineapple	Pumpkin Seeds

Other food items:
Peanuts
Beef
Chicken
Clams
Goose
Lamb
Codfish
Flounder
Milk and Yogurt
Salmon
Scallops

Low Potassium Foods
Apples, fresh
Beans – green or waxed
Bread and bread products
Carrots
Cereals
Cherries
Cranberries
Cucumbers
Grapes
Lettuce
Noodles, Pasta
Onions
Pears
Peaches
Plums
Yellow Squash
Pumpkin
Peppers
Watercress
Zucchini
Note: Almost all foods contain potassium. Serving size determines whether the food is low, moderate or high in potassium.

Potassium, Sodium, and Neurotransmission Majid Ali MD from Majid Ali on Vimeo.

How Much Potassium Do I Take Majid Ali MD from Majid Ali on Vimeo.

Iron

People with advanced kidney failure usually need extra iron.

Foods High in Iron

Beef

Pork

Chicken

Liver

Sodium

Sodium aids the body in man functions. Controlling muscle contractions, balancing fluids and controlling blood pressure. Kidneys remove the excess sodium in the urine. As the kidney fails, sodium and fluids may be retained causing swelling of the eyes, hands and legs. Reducing sodium in the diet helps to reduce high blood pressure.

Look for these on food labels: Low Sodium, No Salt Added, Sodium Reduced and Unsalted.

Do not use salt substitutes as they contain potassium. Look for products that contain less than 100 mg of salt per serving.

High Sodium Foods

Bacon

Bouillon cubes

Soups (Canned, dehydrated, instant)

Canned Vegetables

Cold Cuts

Salted Nuts

Chips

Processed/Boxed Meals/Frozen Meals/Fully Prepared Meals

Table Salt

Low Sodium Alternatives

Season foods with spices, herbs like garlic and oregano, no salt seasoning blends

Fresh Lemon or Lime Juice

Phosphorous

Phosphorous works with calcium to keep bones, nerves and muscles healthy and strong. When the kidney fails, it can not get rid of excess phosphorous. The level of phosphorous increases in the body and the body can not take in enough calcium. The calcium levels go down in the body. The body them takes calcium from the bones, weakening them. High phosphorous can cause itchy skin, painful joints and bones, brittle bones, calcium skin ulcers and calcium buildup in the blood vessels. Avoid foods high in phosphorous.

Foods High in Phosphorous

Beer

Caramel

Cheese

Chicken

Chocolate

Cola Drinks

Cream Soups

Dried Beans

Ice Cream

Milk

Nuts

Peanut and Nut Butters

Peas

Sardines

Foods Low in Phosphorous

Broccoli

Butter

Cream Cheese

Heavy Cream

Non-Dairy Milk Substitute

Non-Cola Drinks

Ricotta and Brie Cheese

Rice Milk

Sherbet

Zucchini

Calcium

Too much calcium can cause constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, confusion and a metallic taste in the mouth. Not enough calcium can cause numbness, muscle aches and seizures.

Good sources of calcium are dairy products and supplements.

How Much Calcium Should You Take Majid Ali MD from Majid Ali on Vimeo.

Calcium in Under-developed Kidney from Majid Ali on Vimeo.

Proteins

Protein is needed by the body to maintain muscles, aid in building resistance to infections, repair and replace body tissue. As the body breaks down protein, a waste product called urea is formed. As the kidney fails, the urea is poorly eliminated and accumulates in the bloodstream. If not on dialysis, reduce your protein intake. If on dialysis, take in high quality proteins.

Foods High In Protein

Meat

Poultry

Milk and Milk products

Eggs

Foods Low in Protein

Fresh Beans

Grains

Vegetables

Protein-rich Chickpeas and Protein-poor Corn and Brown Rice Majid Ali MD from Majid Ali on Vimeo.

Fluids

In the early stages of kidney disease, there is no need to limit fluid intake. As the disease progresses and when on dialysis, fluid intake may need to be restricted.

Limit These if Necessary

Coffee

Tea

Sodas

Soups

Popsicles

Ice Cream and Sherbet

Ice Cubes

Gelatin

Milk and liquid creamers

Water

Wine, Beer