The kidneys are the most “solo” performing organs among all the other organs in our body, so they act as filters and remove unwanted or toxic substances from the blood. In our fast-paced lives, we often rely on poor diets which worsen our health. Fortunately, you can fix it with the right diet.
Let me help you simplify the role of healthy food for kidneys. It comes in the category of one of the most useful tools for protecting the most important organ of the body.
4 Best Foods For Kidney Health You Can Consume
1. Leafy Green Vegetables
The greens are the most nutritious source of vitamins and minerals and also the richest in antioxidants. These foods work on maintaining your kidney health. The superfoods of this world, namely cabbage, kale, bok choy, and beet greens, are rich in magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C.
Avoid eating spinach and Swiss chard in their raw form because they are high in potassium and oxilates. In addition to these powerful foods making your diet more delicious and fun to cook, they will also offer the health benefits that every kidney diet needs.
Benefits:
- Lower chances of kidney stone formation.
- Helps normalize blood pressure.
- Reduces the risk of kidney disease.
2. Berries
The berries are the most natural sweet delicacy in the world; thus, they are a real treat to both the tongue and the kidneys. For example, there are blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
Benefits:
- Antioxidants neutralize inflammation and oxidative stress.
- They keep kidneys away from damage and promote wellness.
- Raw berries improved kidney health.
3. Bell Peppers
Bright and an excellent source of vitamins, bell peppers are delicious and nutritious. They provide an array of kidney health benefits. If used raw in their natural state for snacking or roasted for more depth of flavour, it increases its benefits.
Benefits:
- Being a rich source of vitamin C and carotenoids, bell pepper helps in combating inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to the maintenance of good renal health.
- These crunchy wonders are low in potassium, which makes them a perfect food of choice for individuals following a diet for healthy kidneys.
4. Fish
Fish is high in vital fatty acids and is the top performer among the best of the best foods for kidney health nutrition. Oily fishes including salmon, mackerel, and sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory and kidney function-enhancing properties, are an abundant source.
Benefits:
- Fish protein contains less phosphorus, making it an outstanding choice as an alternative source of protein for people with kidney problems.
6 Foods to Avoid for Kidney Health
As the food selection can make or break your organ, you must avoid some foods to protect your kidney health. Here are some bad foods for kidneys:
1. Processed Meats
Salt, preservatives, and additives, which are the main ingredients of processed meats, may lead to such diseases as hypertension, water retention, and kidney pressure. The health of the kidney can be preserved if you make sure that you avoid or at least reduce the consumption of processed meats and instead include unprocessed lean proteins in your diet.
Side Effects:
- Meat products are the source of a high concentration of phosphorus and nitrate, which worsens the situation even more and causes kidney disease.
- Low energy levels, and trouble sleeping.
- Problem during urination and also blood in urine.
2. Canned Foods
In-a-can convenience could be the cause of kidney problems, as many canned foods are usually labelled as highly salty or preservative. Among them are beans, soups, and vegetables that are pickled, which are known to have a high sodium content, which may lead to conditions like high blood pressure and kidney function.
Side Effects:
- BPA-named chemicals have been linked to several health issues, including kidney damage.
- Disruption in hormonal regulation.
3. Sugary Beverages
The temptation of sugary drinks is irresistible, offering a momentary pleasure and a burst of energy. However, the kidneys are the ones that pay the highest price, thereby suffering from the most serious and long-lasting health problems.
Side Effects:
- Sugary drinks contribute to obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- Phosphoric acid which is usually used in the production of these drinks can affect the calcium in the bones and cause kidney stones.
4. High-Sodium Foods
Sodium is also contained in some other foods, including processed snacks, condiments, and restaurant food. All the things that you eat through packets have high sodium in them. Also avoid pickles, olives, and relish as they are loaded with sodium, which increases blood pressure, straining the kidneys and putting them under more pressure.
Side Effects:
- Sodium overload involves pressure and also harms the kidneys, forming inflammatory edema.
- Causing electrolyte disturbances.
5. Foods High in Potassium and Phosphorus
Potassium and phosphorus are essential for the muscles, heart, and bones as their answers to working regularly. The issue here is that these minerals at high levels however cause problems to the organs like the kidney, especially those patients with impaired kidneys.
Among all these restrictions, just having oranges, bananas, avocadoes, and broccoli as your only foods to eat may be hard. The whole-wheat bread which is 36 grams in weight has 76 mg of phosphorus and 90 mg of potassium. For those with chronic kidney disease, it can be hard to flush out too much of minerals.
Side Effects:
- Elevated blood potassium levels (Hyperkalemia)
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitation.
- Bone disorders (such as osteoporosis or osteomalacia).
- Cardiovascular complications.
6. Whole-Wheat Bread
Whole-wheat bread provides a third of the body’s daily phosphorus requirement, which is a mineral that is found in the blood of kidney patients; therefore, this mineral can cause imbalance and problems in bones because of the accumulation of this mineral in the blood.
Side Effects:
- Consumption of whole wheat bread may cause immune reactions and chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and thus the kidneys which can damage them in the long run.
- Although the potassium level doesn’t go so high, whole wheat bread is one of the elements that can be a possible risk factor for kidney diseases.
- It may also lower the sugar levels, including people suffering from diabetes and insulin resistance.
Wrap-Up
Don’t let kidney health stop you from having the best life. Contact Nidhi Gupta at Fitness With Nidhi today for a customized kidney health diet program. She is an ACE-certified personal trainer and nutritionist with over 10 years of experience and 15000+ happy clients. Book a free consultation call today to learn more about how she can help you on your physical transformation journey.
