21 Superfoods For Your Renal Diet
This comprehensive list of superfoods will pack a nutritional punch for the health of
your kidneys!
Hello everyone, this is Katherine from 00Kidney.
We've put together the most extensive list of superfoods you can add to your renal diet.
What is a superfood?
This topic is widely debated in the scientific community.
Recently, more and more links between fatty acid oxidation, free radicals and kidney disease
have been found.
While oxidation is a normal process in the body, there are certain situations that will
lead to lipid peroxidation and the production of free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage genes, proteins and cell membranes
in the human body.
This makes superfoods very important.
They are, in fact, rich in vitamins C, E, lycopene, flavonoids, beta-carotene and other
antioxidants.
These antioxidants help neutralize the dangerous free radicals.
This is why it is wise to add the following superfoods to your renal diet.
Either if you're a kidney patient or not.
21.
Olive oil It has been proven that people from countries
that use olive oil, instead of other oils, have lower chances of heart disease and cancer.
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols, oleic acid and antioxidant compounds.
This is why it's able to protect the body from oxidation and inflammations.
Olive oil can be used in almost any cooking that requires margarine or oil.
It is one of the best salad dressing.
It can be used as a marinade for vegetables and as a dip for bread.
Its high smoke point makes it good even for cooking.
20.
Fish The American Heart Association and the American
Diabetes Association recommend fish two or three times a week.
While the amount of proteins present in your diet should be defined by your doctor, you
will always need some proteins.
And fish is a very good source of high quality proteins.
What fish should you be adding to your renal diet?
Salmon, mackerel, herring, albacore tuna, rainbow trout are very rich in omega-3s.
These fats play a crucial role in balancing cholesterol and in preventing hearth diseases
and cancer.
19.
Garlic This is something that all dialysis patients
should know about garlic.
Garlic powder can be used, instead of garlic salt, to flavor dishes - without extra sodium.
Garlic has anti-clotting, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It can be used in cooking a wide variety of dishes, from meats to vegetables or tomato
sauces. 18.
Onion Often used as seasoning, Onion can be eaten
cooked or raw.
It is rightfully considered a superfood for its nutritional intake of quercetin and other
flavonoids.
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, quercetin is also an antioxidant that helps
preventing the deposit of fats in the arteries.
Onions are also low in potassium and rich in chromium, making them an excellent choice
for kidney patients.
17 Kale Rich in Vitamin A, C, and carotenoids, kale
is a curly, leafy green and a healthy choice for your renal diet.
Kale has 45 flavonoids and has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Kale has some potassium, but less than, for example, spinach.
It is also a source of Vitamin K and minerals.
Winter is its peak season, so be sure to eat it during winter, when there's a fewer choice
of fresh vegetables.
Kale can be a good substitute for spinach in any recipe.
It can also be eaten steamed, boiled, or sauted in olive oil and garlic (three superfoods
in one recipe!)
16 Egg whites This superfood is one of the best sources
of high quality proteins.
Egg whites contain all the essential amino acids and a low amount of phosphorus.
This is why they are one of the favorite sources of proteins for kidney patients.
Hardboiled egg whites are really good in green salads or with tuna.
Or you can make omelets and sandwiches with the whites.
They are also good in shakes and smoothies. 15.
Cherries A recent research proven that tart cherries
are richer in anti-inflammatory than any other fruit.
They have been in fact shown to reduce inflammation in patient eating them on daily basis.
14.
Red grapes Since the colors of the grapes are due to
the quantity of flavonoids present, red and purple skinned grapes are to be preferred.
The flavonoids in grapes do not just reduce oxidation in your body, they can also prevent
inflammation, reduce the chance of blood clots and increase blood flow.
How to eat grapes?
Just eat them.
Or drink grape juice.
13 Spinach While spinach is rich in potassium, making
it unsuitable for some kidney patients, it is still an important superfood to be considered.
This green, leafy vegetable is rich in folate, beta-carotene, vitamin C and K and magnesium.
This is why spinach should still be considered by renal patients.
Raw spinach will maintain a higher amount of vitamin.
Boiling them will make the absorption on mineral easier for your body.
So, if you find some small and tender spinach, make a salad.
12 Sweet Potatoes This superfood is packed with vitamin A, C,
B6, beta carotene and lots of fibers.
Sweet potatoes are another superfood rich in potassium.
Good news is that, even if you're on a low potassium diet, you can still eat them if
do a potassium leaching during cooking.
I've made a video about potassium leaching, be sure to check it out.
11 Lemon Juice Lemon juice acidity has the capacity of breaking
down kidney stones.
It also prevents crystals already present in the kidney from binding together.
One of the best ways of adding lemon juice to your diet is drinking it in the morning.
Add the juice of half, fresh lemon to a glass of purified, warm water.
Drink it in the morning, before eating anything else.
10 Carrots Carrots could be one of the best superfoods
for your renal diet.
Just eating carrots can help regulating blood pressure and preventing hypertension.
This is fundamental for kidney patients since hypertension is one of the leading causes
of kidney disease.
Drawback is that raw carrots are high in potassium.
So if you want to add carrots to your diet, be sure to always monitor your potassium level.
9.
Apples The old adage proves itself true, being apples
rich in vitamin C, anti-inflammatory and fibers.
In particular, pectin is a fiber that can lower glucose level and cholesterol.
Apple's peel is also rich in quercetin.
If the apple has been grown without the use of pesticides, it is a good thing to eat it
with the peel.
They can be eaten cooked or raw and are always delicious.
8.
Raspberries Raspberries are rich in phenolic flavonoid,
a phytochemical that neutralizes free radicals in the body.
They're also full of manganese, folate, Vitamin B and C.
They're a little high on potassium, so check quantities if you're on a low potassium diet.
7.
Strawberries This superfood is plenty of anthocyanins and
ellagitannins, two phenols that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
They can also help keep your heart healthy.
In case this is not enough, they're also rich in manganese, vitamin C and fiber.
6.
Blueberries These berries are helpful reducing inflammation
thanks to an antioxidant compound called anthocyanidins.
They're also rich in vitamin C and manganese.
And they're also very tasty!
You can add them in baked treat like crisp or muffin, or just as a top to you morning
cereals.
5.
Cranberries This superfood is really helpful for kidney
patients.
Cranberries enhance the natural acidity of urines, blocking bacterial infections inside
the bladder.
The easiest way to add cranberries to your renal diet is cranberry juice, but you can
always add some fresh cranberries in a salad.
4.
Cauliflower Cauliflower is a versatile superfood that
can be used in a lot of recipes and dished.
It can be eaten raw, added in a salad or cooked.
It can be seasoned and mashed, like a healthier, potassium free, mashed potato recipe.
Cauliflower will bring a lot of vitamin C and folate to your diet.
3 Cabbage Cabbage should be present in any renal diet.
It is rich in phytochemicals - a chemical compound that works to break apart free radicals.
It is filled with vitamins C, K, B6 and folic acid.
It is also low in potassium, making it a great choice for any kidney patient.
Cabbage can be eaten raw, boiled, steamed, sauted, stuffed or roasted.
Not to mention coleslaw.
2 Apple cider vinegar Considered a universal remedy, apple cider
vinegar can do wonders to your kidneys.
It will in fact regulate the acidity of your blood, making a lot easier the job of your
kidneys.
It is great for blood pressure and can help in losing weight.
It can also regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.
1.
Red bell peppers Maybe the best superfood to be added to your
diet.
Very rich in vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and lycopene, red bell peppers are low in
potassium, making a great choice for a renal diet.
They can also be eaten when yellow, but the nutrients will be a little less.
Raw red bell peppers can be added to almost any kind of salad.
They mix great with tuna, chicken and eggs.
Be sure to eat plenty of this superfood!
This is all!
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