Generally, patients with CKD, especially those who suffer from hyperkalemia, should avoid consuming large amounts of raw vegetables, such as lettuce, in order to reduce their potassium intake from meals.
Your safest bets include iceberg, arugula, Bibb, Boston, red leaf or green leaf lettuces. If you are not on a blood thinning medication, raw spinach, romaine and kale are good options as well. Keep your lettuce portion to about 1 cup or ½ cup if choosing kale or raw spinach.
Leafy greens and kidney disease
Leafy greens are rich in potassium, which you may need to watch with kidney disease. The amount of potassium you can have each day will depend on your stage of kidney disease or the type of dialysis you receive. Most people with CKD do not have to limit leafy greens because of potassium.
Dark leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, are packed with vitamins and minerals that promote healthy kidney function. These vegetables also contain antioxidants which can help make the kidneys' job of filtering out the blood easier.
Fruits and veggies lowest in potassium are: apples, blueberries, limes, and iceberg lettuce.
Low potassium foods like iceberg lettuce can be made a part of a healthy kidney diet.
Consider adding healthy greens to your diet such as mustard greens, dandelion leaves, and turnip greens. Dandelion especially increases urine production, cleaning out the kidneys and reducing blood pressure.
Leafy greens like kale and spinach are nutrient-dense foods that are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help to support kidney function as well as overall health. Leafy greens contain vitamins A, C, and K as well as carotenoids and flavonoids.
Most people with early-stage CKD or a kidney transplant do not have to limit tomatoes because of potassium. If your laboratory results show higher levels of potassium, your doctor or kidney dietitian may talk with you about how much to eat. Potassium can be a concern depending on the amount you eat.
A great plant based protein, shiitake mushrooms are an ideal food for those with kidney issues. They are better than white button and portobellos since they contain much less potassium.
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.
Beta-Carotene Benefits
Beta-carotene, the water-soluble form of vitamin A in carrots, helps the kidneys filter toxins out of the blood and prevent urinary tract infections, according to Dr. George D.
Broccoli is a medium potassium food, low in sodium and phosphorus, and suitable for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
A kidney-friendly diet should limit sodium, cholesterol, and fat, and instead focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats (seafood, poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products), says Maruschak.
Animal-derived compounds prescribed in TPM to fatten the thin kidney include poultry meat, lamb meat, camel milk, sheep's milk and the other food materials like honey, egg.
The Worst Foods for Your Kidneys
Avocados: Avocados are often touted for their nutritious qualities, including their heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, but one thing they aren't good for is your kidneys. This is because avocados are a very rich source of potassium.
Choose soy, almond, cashew, or rice milk for less phosphorus and less potassium than cow's milk. Avoid cow's milk substitutes that are "Enriched" or have the word phosphorus or "phos" in the ingredient list.
Individuals with kidney disease should limit their intake of yogurt because it is high in potassium and phosphorus. Yogurt is high in protein, a nutrient that dialysis patients require. It's also high in calcium and vitamin D.
Finding low-potassium produce can sometimes be a challenge for people with kidney disease, yet the cucumber offers a tasty treat that is versatile and kidney-friendly.