Did you know that one out of every seven people has chronic kidney disease? And if they do, the renal diet is what they will need to follow to stay healthy.
So what is the renal diet?
The renal diet plan is designed to help individuals with kidney disease manage their symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. But what exactly does the renal diet entail?
By understanding the renal diet, individuals with kidney disease can better manage their symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. This can lead to a better quality of life and potentially prevent the need for more aggressive treatments like dialysis or kidney transplant.
By the end of this article, you'll better understand the renal diet and how it can benefit you or your loved one. Let's dive in!
What Is the Renal Diet?
The renal diet is a specialized plan designed to help individuals with kidney disease manage their symptoms and maintain healthy kidneys. This diet is designed to limit the intake of certain nutrients that can harm the kidneys, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, while ensuring adequate nutrition.
Here are a few key ways in which the renal diet can benefit kidney health:
- Helps Manage Symptoms
- Slows the Progression of the Disease
- May Prevent the Need for Dialysis or Kidney Transplant
The primary goal of the renal diet is to reduce the workload on the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease. People with kidney disease should limit the intake of certain nutrients that can be difficult for the kidneys to process, such as sodium and potassium.
Foods to Eat on the Renal Diet
The renal diet focuses on consuming foods low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus while providing adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals. Kidney-friendly foods include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Lean protein sources.
- Whole grains.
- Healthy fats like olive oil.
When following the renal diet, focus on getting enough nutrients for healthy kidneys, such as protein and calcium.
Protein is necessary for tissue repair and growth, but too much protein can strain the kidneys. Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth, but high calcium levels can contribute to kidney stone formation.
Foods to Avoid on the Renal Diet
Certain foods and beverages should be limited or avoided following the renal diet. This includes foods high in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, such as processed foods, canned foods, and salty snacks.
Additionally, individuals with kidney disease may need to limit their intake of fluids to avoid overworking the kidneys.
Nutrients to Limit or Avoid
In addition to avoiding certain foods, the renal diet also aims to limit the intake of certain nutrients that can harm the kidneys, such as phosphorus and potassium.
Foods high in phosphorus include dairy products, nuts, and seeds. And foods high in potassium include bananas, oranges, and leafy greens.
Kidney Care With the Renal Diet
So what is the renal diet? It's your ticket to help manage your symptoms and maintain healthy kidneys for as long as possible.
And when you need urological supplies, Complete Care Medical can bill your insurance and send trusted urological supplies to your home. You can also contact our customer care team with questions about the renal diet or urological supplies.
Give us a call today, and we'll be happy to help!