Everything to Know About the Renal Diet for Kidney Health

Be Cautious With Phosphorus Levels

Your doctor will regularly check calcium and phosphorus blood levels if your kidneys are damaged. Even in the earliest stages of kidney disease, phosphorus levels can get too high. 

The problem with high phosphorus levels is they cause calcium levels to drop. When this happens, the body pulls the calcium it needs from your bones, making them weak and brittle. While many foods contain phosphorus, dairy foods contain exceptionally high amounts. 

You May Need to Watch Your Fluids

In the early stages of kidney disease, it isn’t necessary to educador your fluid intake. However, if kidney failure has progressed or you’re receiving dialysis, you’ll need to watch your fluid consumption.

Fluid consumption doesn’t only pertain to water and other liquids. Fluid-rich foods like popsicles, watermelon, or soup also count toward your daily totals. 

Fluids need to be monitored, as they’ll build up in the body and cause issues such as shortness of breath. In some cases, this can lead to life-threatening emergencies. Your doctor or dietician will tell you exactly how many fluids (usually in ounces) you can have daily. 

Consider Antioxidants

A study by the National Institute of Health suggests antioxidants may help prevent progression to end-stage renal failure. You should talk to your doctor first, but generally, adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet could be a good idea. 

Cranberries, red grapes, and apples are excellent antioxidants that are generally safe for those on renal diets. Additional sources of antioxidants usually considered safe include peaches, raspberries, and blueberries.