Hey there, viewers! Welcome back to bestie! Your kidneys
are crucial as they’re responsible for filtering waste products. But sadly,
these small, bean shaped organs are taken for granted sometimes!
Kidney disease affects almost 26 million Americans. It can take a
toll on one’s physical and emotional health. But hang on, here’s some good
news! By incorporating certain foods into your diet, one can manage kidney disease.
In today’s video, we’ll be talking about the 20 best foods for people with kidney disease. Will
cabbage do some good? Can munching on berries help? We’ll be discussing all of these AND more…
Cabbage
First things first, we need to understand the risk factors related to kidney disease.
The dominant ones are diabetes and high blood pressure. Others include obesity, smoking, gender,
age and genetics. This means it is vital to monitor blood sugar and pressure levels regularly!
It is important to note that dietary restrictions differ for those in the early stages of kidney
disease than those with kidney failure, also known as End-Stage Kidney Disease.
Advanced kidney disease demands a kidney-friendly diet, also known as a renal diet. Among varying
dietary restrictions, it’s recommended that all people with kidney disease
should strictly cut down consumption of three nutrients; sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
Now, back to our first food item, cabbage! This round, leafy vegetable
is an extraordinary source of minerals and vitamins like vitamin K, C and many B vitamins.
It is a phenomenal digestion booster as it contains roughage that promotes regular
bowel movements. On top of it, Cabbage is low in sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
Do you like eating cabbage? What recipes do you
prefer? Share your preferences with the bestie community in the comments below.
Bell peppers
These brightly colored vegetables are a striking source of nutrients, but low in potassium.
Bell peppers or capsicum are an excellent source of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C.
They are rich in vitamin A, too. Vitamin A is a major nutrient for immune function
which is usually compromised in people with kidney disease. Plus they can be cooked
in a variety of ways, whether roasted, sauted or stuffed, they taste amazing!
Blueberries
Blueberries are loaded with nutrients. These sweet purple-blue berries are considered
to be the best source of antioxidants, greatly helping in kidney detoxification.
Studies suggest the antioxidants in blueberries, known as anthocyanins, may protect against certain
cancers, diabetes and heart disease. And when it comes to your kidneys blueberries are perfect as
they are low in sodium, potassium and phosphorus making it easy to maintain kidney health.
Remember to add a handful of blueberries in your diet. Enjoy frozen blueberries or buy them fresh,
add them to your cereal or use them as a topping for your smoothie bowl!
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Cauliflower
This vegetable is packed with nutrients and vitamins K, C and B
folate. Cauliflower becomes a crucial addition to a kidney-friendly diet,
as it is rich in fibre and full of anti-inflammatory compounds.
Add cauliflower to your stir fry or bake them with added spices!
For a low potassium dish, use mashed cauliflower as a substitute for potatoes!
Egg whites
Eggs are a staple in many of our kitchens! Egg whites are a better
option for managing kidney health. Egg yolks are high in phosphorus,
so you should probably avoid them if you’re looking at healthy food for the kidneys.
Research suggests that egg whites are a source of high quality kidney-friendly protein. It is an
outstanding choice for people who are on dialysis, with higher protein needs and less phosphorus.
Prepare an egg white omelet or a sandwich,
add whites of hard boiled egg into your salad or just eat them straight up!
To learn more about the egg diet, you might like watching our video called:
what happens to your body when you eat eggs.
Onion
Onion breath can be a turn-off but onions can be wonderful salt alternatives!
Very low in sodium, onions impart a whole bunch of flavour to your kidney-friendly dish.
Wait, there’s more! Onions are rich in vitamins C and B, manganese and carry prebiotic fibres
which support the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, promoting digestive and kidney health.
If you’re feeling brave you can eat onions raw as a part of salad or saute them in olive oil
with other vegetables! Speaking of olive oil...let’s talk about that!
Olive oil
Another kitchen staple in many homes. Olive oil is a source of healthy fat and
is phosphorous-free at the same time. It helps those who are dealing with advanced
kidney disease keep or gain weight, who have probably lost a few pounds.
Olive oil is referred to as healthy fat, as it contains anti-inflammatory
properties because of the presence of monounsaturated fats like oleic acid.
Use olive oil in cooking or as a salad dressing or
even marinate your vegetables, it is clearly a versatile tool!
Garlic
Just like onions, garlic also has a pungent smell! Being low in sodium,
garlic becomes a great alternative for salt in kidney-friendly recipes.
It provides many nutritional benefits. Like onions, garlic is also an excellent source of
manganese, vitamin C, B and sulfur compounds which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Adding garlic to a recipe not only provides health benefits but also adds a stunning flavour to your
food, making your kitchen smell amazing! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
Red grapes
These small fruits are packed with nutrients. Red grapes contain antioxidants called flavonoids
which reduce inflammation while also being rich in vitamin C, a type of flavonoid present
in red grapes that promotes heart health and protects against cognitive decline and diabetes.
Eat them as a snack or to quench thirst for those on fluid restriction because of dialysis!
Sea bass
Sea bass is low in phosphorus and high in protein. It contains healthy fats
called omega-3s that lower inflammation and can reduce anxiety and depression.
Sea bass is a better option compared to other seafood. We recommend pan-fried sea bass with
lemon-garlic herb sauce or oven-baked!
Kale
Kale is the king of all super healthy greens! It is definitely one of the healthiest plant foods in
existence with powerful medicinal properties. Kale is loaded with strong antioxidants and vitamins.
It is known to regulate blood sugar levels, and since diabetes is a main risk factor
associated with kidney disease, kale helps manage diabetic nephropathy and can detoxify the kidneys.
Remember to watch how much kale you indulge in as it contains medium potassium levels.
I think we all know enough ways to add kale to our diet! From sandwiches to lasagna rolls,
from veggie bowls to pastas, from salads to smoothies, kale goes with almost everything!
Macadamia nuts Usually nuts are high in phosphorus and
are therefore not allowed for people with kidney disease. But, macadamia nuts are an exception!
These nuts are low in phosphorus in comparison to widely consumed almonds and peanuts.
Not only this but macadamia nuts are loaded with healthy fats, B vitamins,
copper, magnesium and iron, and they’re low in sodium.
Buckwheat
Unlike other whole grains, buckwheat is low in phosphorus. It is packed with
nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, iron and fibre.
On top of it, buckwheat is a gluten-free grain.
Yes, you heard that right! So it’s a healthy option for people with gluten intolerance.
Being low in sodium, it is an excellent addition to ameliorate kidney disease. So next time you’re
out grocery shopping, look for buckwheat noodles, bread and buckwheat pancake flour!
Bulger
Bulgur is a whole grain wheat product that makes a fantastic
kidney-friendly alternative as it is low in potassium and phosphorus.
It is an extraordinary source of plant-based protein and is full of dietary fiber.
Bulger is a nourishing grain as it houses magnesium, iron and B vitamins.
Skinless chicken
What’s better than a juicy baked chicken breast with seasonings like garlic powder,
paprika, black pepper, lemon and olive oil! I know, you must be drooling!
It’s good to know that skinless chicken breast with moderate spices can be included
in the diet of kidney patients. Skinless chicken breasts contain less sodium,
potassium and phosphorus than skin-on chicken.
Usually people with kidney disease need to restrict protein intake,
but skinless chicken provides a suitable amount of high quality protein.
Radish
This root vegetable with crisp texture is a
good addition to the list of healthy food for the kidneys!
Radishes are very low in potassium and phosphorus. They’re also high in vitamin C,
an antioxidant that can decrease the risk of heart disease and cataracts.
Eat it raw in a salad or add it into your sauteed veggies,
it’ll definitely enhance the flavour of your meal due to its peppery taste!
Pineapple
I can see some eyes sparkling with this one! Not only do kids love pineapple but adults do, too!
This sweet fruit is low in potassium so it’s a great alternative to high
potassium fruits like oranges, bananas and kiwis.
In addition, pineapple is rich in fiber, vitamin C, manganese and bromelain,
an enzyme that helps in lowering inflammation. It is also low in sodium,
allowing kidney patients to eat pineapple guilt free.
Arugula
Unlike other greens like spinach,
arugula is low in potassium and high in vitamin K and minerals like calcium and magnesium.
This green leafy vegetable also contains nitrates, which is known to lower blood pressure,
a significant risk in kidney disease. Plus arugula is delicious with it’s spicy taste,
it won’t even feel like you’re eating a salad!
Cranberries
These tiny fruits are beneficial for both the urinary tract and the kidneys. Cranberries contain
a type of compound which prevents bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract and
bladder, thereby lowering the chances of getting a painful Urinary Tract Infection, commonly known as
a UTI. If you’ve ever had one, eating cranberries is an easy way to avoid this painful condition.
These are also low in potassium, phosphorus and sodium.
You can drink cranberry juice as long as it doesn’t have any added sugar. Dried cranberries
make a delicious addition to a homemade trail mix or you can cook them up into a delicious sauce!
Shiitake mushrooms
Last but not the least are the shiitake mushrooms! These can be an excellent
alternative to meat for people with kidney disease, who restrict protein.
Not to mention a likely favourite for all our vegetarian viewers!
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of plant-based proteins along with B
vitamins, copper and selenium.
These mushrooms are lower in potassium than white mushrooms,
making them a good choice for a kidney related healthy diet.
Toss them in your stir-fry, pasta or use them as topping on your favourite homemade pizza!
Preparing food fresh - right from scratch is another great way to know exactly what
you’re putting into your body. A good rule of thumb is to always go for whole,
unprocessed foods no matter what your dietary restrictions are!
Knowing the signs of kidney disease can help you get early treatment. Here’s what you need to know…
Check out 12 signs that your kidneys need
help or how about 9 foods that are destroying your unhealthy kidneys.
Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about how to avoid kidney disease.
Did you know about these kidney friendly foods
before watching this video? Let us know in the comments below!