What Foods Can Improve My Kidney Health?

Your kidneys are essential to your overall health and well-being. They filter out waste products and excess fluid from your body, help maintain your electrolyte balance, and release hormones that regulate your blood pressure. If you have chronic kidney disease, it is important to pay attention to what you eat. A kidney-healthy diet can support your kidneys, keeping them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Foods to Restrict

The following are foods to limit to avoid undue stress on your kidneys:

Sodium

Sodium increases blood pressure and fluid retention. Be mindful of your salt intake, and look at food labels to ensure they are low in sodium. Instead of processed foods, canned foods, soy sauce, garlic salt, and pickles, try fresh garlic, ground pepper, lemon, or dill.

Potassium

Potassium helps maintain healthy muscles and plays a role in keeping your heartbeat and blood pressure steady. However, if the kidneys fail to work as they should, you may have dangerous potassium levels, leading to weakness, numbness, an irregular heartbeat, and even a heart attack. Foods high in potassium include dried fruit, oranges, melons, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, and prunes.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus helps build strong bones and teeth and also plays a role in converting food into energy. If your kidneys don’t remove excess phosphorus, it will build up in your blood, putting you at risk of joint pain, weak bones, osteoporosis, heart disease, and strokes. Foods rich in phosphorus include milk, dried beans, processed foods, and bottled drinks.

Kidney Healthy Foods

If you have chronic kidney disease, we invite you to consult with our team at Texas Advanced Renal Health. We will make diet recommendations based on your unique needs to prevent further damage to your kidneys.

Examples of foods that reduce inflammation, support your kidney function, and improve your overall kidney health include:

• Apples, berries, peaches, plums, pineapples, grapes, strawberries
• Arugula, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, green beans, onions, garlic, red bell peppers, radishes, lettuce, and dark leafy greens
• Skinless chicken, fatty fish, and egg whites
• Nuts and seeds, including almonds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds
• Olive oil

Personalized Kidney-Healthy Diet Plans

Each person with kidney disease is different, with different needs. That’s why it is important to talk to your trusted team at Texas Advanced Renal Health. We will recommend a custom diet plan to get your diabetes or high blood pressure under control, reduce the strain on your kidney, slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, and improve your quality of life.

Trusted Kidney Care Near Me in McKinney, TX

Contact your dedicated kidney care team at Texas Advanced Renal Health to learn more about food choices for long-term kidney health. We will evaluate your unique needs and outline a diet plan to keep your kidneys functioning at their best. We are here to support you every step of the way. Call 972-548-4833 to schedule your appointment today!