Avoid Diet Food Renal

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Admin
Avoid Diet Food Renal

Avoid Diet Food Renal

The function of the kidneys is to filter extra fluid and waste products from the blood. When the kidneys fail, they stop cleaning the blood. The accumulation of the waste in the blood can cause further damage to the kidneys. Dialysis (a process that cleans the blood) can help control the build up of waste in the blood, but it can not clean out everything. It is important to follow a renal diet to help prevent the build up of waste products in the blood.

Basic of a Renal Diet

  • Limit salt intake: Too much sodium (salt) may increase blood pressure, increase the thirst mechanism and cause the body to retain water it shouldn’t. Avoid foods such as table salt, cured foods, processed foods and canned foods.
  • Limit Potassium: Potassium regulates muscle contractions, especially the heart muscles. If potassium gets too high in the blood stream it may cause irregular heart beats and cardiac arrest. Avoid high potassium food such as carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, cabbage, banana, pumpkin, squash, apricots, cantaloupe, dates, kiwi, honeydew, oranges and prunes.
  • Limit Phosphorus: High level of phosphorus takes calcium from the bones. This may cause brittle bones. Avoid foods such as dairy, whole wheat products, organ meats, dried beans and nuts.
  • Protein: Protein is used to build muscle, bone and skin. It is also needed to fight infection and regulate body functions. Protein is lost from dialysis. It is important for those on dialysis to eat high quality protein foods such as fresh beef, lamb, pork, poultry and fish every day. If a person has kidney failure but not on dialysis protein may need to be restricted.
  • Limit Fluids: Damaged kidneys are unable to remove excess fluids from the blood. Anything that is liquid at room temperature is counted as a fluid. Control thirst by drinking lemon water instead of plain water, brush teeth more often, suck on sugar free candy or sugar free gum and spread fluids throughout the day, drinking only small amounts at a time.

Sample Renal Diet

Breakfast