Maintaining excellent health and a healthy weight both depend on eating a balanced diet. Strong immunity is boosted by eating a balanced diet. The importance of a balanced diet is much more in the case of individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with chronic renal disease can reduce their dependency on dialysis by eating a balanced, healthful and mindful diet. Both their blood pressure and blood sugar levels are improved by it. Most kidney disease patients don't see a nutritionist since they are just ignorant or don't know that they even require dialysis.
In this blog, we will discuss how food can help you manage and prevent further complications in the kidney.
Synopsis
Cut Down Sugar and Switch to Whole Grains
Consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates is linked with high blood sugar levels, hence it is important to cut down on these. You can switch to whole grains such as jau, bajra, raagi, jawar, sabudana and oats. They are healthy alternatives, and good sources of protein, fibre, and other important minerals. These whole grains are also easy to digest, which makes them a great choice that you can include in any or all of your meals of the day.
Fibre Rich Diet
Vegetables and fruits that are rich in fibre must be consumed. Some high-fibre foods to include in your diet for CKD are bananas, apples, guava, oranges, carrots, spinach, eggplant, chickpeas, jackfruit, bhindi and cauliflower. All these fruits and vegetables are light on the stomach, get digested easily and come with an abundance of nutritional goodness.
Consult our nephrologists in Pune if you need more information on foods to avoid with renal disease.
Quit Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates you, which may interfere with your kidneys' capacity to control your body's water balance. It may have an influence on your liver's function, which may eventually disrupt the kidneys' blood flow and cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, a high alcohol intake has been connected to a higher risk of hypertension, which raises the possibility of renal disease.
Keep an Eye on Salt Intake
A low-sodium diet can keep your blood pressure under control. Junk food often has high sodium content, hence it should be one of the major foods to be avoided with renal disease. Prepare fresh home-cooked food so that you can keep a check on the amount of sodium that goes into your food.
Pay Attention to Protein
Protein can put pressure on the kidney because it filters the waste that comes as a byproduct of a high-protein diet. Any increase in protein content leads to increased pressure on the kidneys. Fish, eggs, nuts, dairy, lentils and peas are good sources of proteins that you must include in your major diets for chronic kidney disease as they can be easily absorbed by the body.
Foods that one can include in the Diet
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Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers are ideal for the renal diet for many reasons other than only their strong flavour and low potassium content. These delicious veggies are also a great source of fibre, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamins C and A. Because red bell peppers contain lycopene, an antioxidant that helps prevent some cancers, they are considered healthy.
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Apples: Apples may lower cholesterol, avoid constipation, fend against heart disease, and lower the chance of developing cancer. Rich in fibre and substances that reduce inflammation, apples are great for everyone.
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Onion: Onions are also a good source of flavonoids, including quercetin, a potent antioxidant that may lower the risk of heart disease and shield the body from a variety of malignancies. Onions are low in potassium and a rich source of the mineral chromium, which aids in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
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Cherries: Regular consumption of cherries has been demonstrated to decrease inflammation. Additionally, they are a rich source of phytochemicals and antioxidants that support heart health.
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Garlic: Garlic contains antibacterial qualities that help decrease inflammation, cholesterol, and plaque formation on teeth.
By adopting these lifestyle and food modifications one can manage and prevent further complications if suffering from chronic kidney disease. The objective of switching to these high-in-nutrition foods is to keep the blood pressure and sugar levels in control and put less pressure on the kidneys for filtration. You can visit our expert Nephrology Hospital in Pune, for consultation, dietary modifications or to discuss any concern related to chronic kidney disorder. We invite you to explore our official blog page to read the latest healthcare blogs shared by our doctors.