Not Just Salt: Foods Kid.ney Patients Should Avoid for a Longer Life

Kid.ney patients must choose healthy foods and control their daily portions.

 

 

How Should Kidney Patients Eat for Better Health?

In recent years, kidney-related issues have become one of the leading causes of high mortality rates.

According to medical experts, the kidneys play a vital role in the urinary system by filtering blood. Each day, the kidneys filter about 200 liters of fluid, removing waste as urine. Typically, a person excretes about 2 liters of urine per day while reabsorbing the remaining 198 liters. The kidneys also help regulate the body's fluid and electrolyte balance, including essential minerals like sodium and potassium.

To maintain kidney function, patients should not only follow their doctor's treatment plan but also choose healthy foods and monitor their daily intake. Proper energy balance is crucial for kidney patients. Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly aids digestion, whereas eating too quickly may lead to overeating, excess calorie intake, and increased strain on the kidneys.

Additionally, kidney patients can measure food portions before cooking to track calorie intake per meal. Checking nutrition labels on food products can help manage nutrient consumption.

Those with kidney disease should consult a nutritionist for guidance on balancing meals, measuring portions, and determining appropriate daily food intake.

Foods Kidney Patients Should Avoid to Protect Their Health

Reduce Salt Intake

High-sodium foods include fast food, processed and canned foods, seasonings such as fish sauce, soy sauce, and seasoning powder, as well as dried foods like salted fish, dried squid, and instant noodles. Frequent consumption of these foods can impair kidney function and lead to swelling, high blood pressure, and breathing difficulties.

Limit Potassium-Rich Foods

Nutrition experts advise kidney patients to avoid potassium-rich foods such as bananas, carrots, spinach, potatoes, oranges, onions, milk, and dairy products. When kidney function declines, excess potassium accumulates in the blood, increasing the risk of heart attacks or fatal complications.

Avoid Phosphorus-Rich Foods

Besides potassium, high-phosphorus foods should also be limited. These include chocolate, milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, organ meats, oysters, sardines, whole-wheat bread, nuts, beans, and beer. Reducing phosphorus intake helps maintain kidney health.

Reduce Protein Consumption

The goal of limiting protein-rich foods is to minimize uric acid absorption. Foods high in protein and uric acid—such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, scallops, and anchovies—should be carefully considered when planning a kidney-friendly diet.

Control Fluid Intake

Fluid restrictions depend on the severity of kidney disease. In early stages (Stages 1 and 2), patients typically do not need to limit water intake and are even encouraged to stay well-hydrated. However, in later stages, controlling water intake becomes necessary. Patients may need to consume drier foods and reduce salt to avoid excess fluid buildup beyond what the kidneys can handle.

Avoid Alcohol

According to the National Kidney Foundation (USA), alcohol consumption can double the risk of chronic kidney disease. Alcohol contains ethanol, which the body metabolizes into acetaldehyde—a toxic substance that damages kidney cells and disrupts fluid balance, leading to acute kidney injury.

Who Is at Risk for Kidney Disease?

Certain individuals are more prone to kidney disease, including those with:

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)

• Genetic conditions like polycystic kidney disease or Alport syndrome

• Infections, obstructions, or congenital urinary tract disorders

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Prostate enlargement or prostate cancer

• Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and ketoprofen, as well as some antibiotics

Kidney disease often remains asymptomatic until it has progressed significantly. Early detection methods include urine tests, blood tests, and regular blood pressure monitoring.