People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease may be asked to avoid or limit the amount of candy they eat to help control blood sugar levels. Candy bars, hard candy, jelly beans, gum drops and chocolate are some of the sweets you are asked to cut back on.
How does sugar affect the kidneys? Sugar is not a problem for the kidneys unless the blood sugar level gets too high. This commonly occurs in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Once the blood sugar level gets higher than 180 mg/dl, the kidneys start to spill sugar into the urine.
Smart, kidney-friendly choices for dessert are fine when you have CKD. Low-potassium desserts, such as cake and fruit pies, can fit into a kidney diet and be a delicious sweet treat. It's healthier to enjoy goodies that are baked in your own kitchen than to eat the store-bought kind.
Low-quality chocolate containing high levels of milk, sodium, sugar, and preservatives is far from a healthy option. On the other hand, high-quality dark chocolate containing a high percentage of cocoa (above 85%) offers health benefits if you have kidney disease.
Sucralose is reported to be safe on the kidneys, even for those on dialysis. Stevia rebaudiana(Rebaudioside A or Reb A) – refers to a South American plant based sweetener that is processed in a similar way as the way sugar is refined from sugar cane and sugar beets.
Controlling blood sugar helps lessen your risk for getting kidney disease. It can also help slow or even stop kidney disease from getting worse.
Avoid foods that have more than 300mg sodium per serving (or 600mg for a complete frozen dinner). Avoid foods that have salt in the first four or five items in the ingredient list. Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup.
Foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, such as crisps, chocolate, biscuits and cakes, can be included in your diet. However, because they do not contain good nutrients, they should only be included in small amounts occasionally.
I recommend whole grain, whole wheat or multigrain bread for people with kidney disease. Be careful to check the sodium in whatever bread you buy. Bread is a surprising source of salt! Historically, white bread was recommended because it has less phosphorus in it.
What milk can I have when I have chronic kidney disease? The best milk alternative for damaged kidneys appears to be coconut milk since it has low potassium, sodium, and oxalates. Macadamia milk is also a good choice as it's much lower in sodium than cow's milk.
Most dairy foods are very high in phosphorus. People with kidney disease should limit their daily intake of milk, yogurt, and cheese to ½ cup milk, or ½ cup yogurt or 1-ounce cheese. If you do eat high-phosphorus foods, ask your doctor for a phosphate binder to be taken with your meals.
Eating tomatoes will not have an effect on forming kidney stones.
Seafood Generally a low salt option. Limit the side of chips and replace with a side salad (limiting tomato) to reduce potassium. Remember shellfish, snapper and fresh salmon/tuna are higher potassium choices.
If you want to protect your kidneys, try to avoid eating fried foods as much as possible. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives like grilled or baked chicken or fish.
Butter contains saturated fat, which increases your risk for heart disease. The National Kidney Foundation notes that heart disease is a major risk factor for kidney disease and vice versa. Consume less butter, lard and shortening to reduce your intake of saturated fat and lower your risk for heart and kidney disease.
Beans are in the legume family which includes dried lentils and split peas. Recent research shows the benefits of plant-based foods in the kidney diet. Beans are great for people with kidney disease to enjoy.
Desserts can be extra challenging, but it's possible to have your cake and eat it too! Some kidney-friendly choices include berry pies, cobbler, angel food cake, pound cake or lemon meringue. These are often low in calories and potassium. Steer clear of the salt shaker.
If you have an advanced stage of kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may advise you to avoid chocolate due to the high potassium content.
In the United States, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, accounting for 3 out of 4 new cases.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But also heart disease and obesity can contribute to the damage that causes kidneys to fail. Urinary tract issues and inflammation in different parts of the kidney can also lead to long-term functional decline.