For healthy people, drinking low-fat cow's milk can have a protective effect on your kidneys. It can reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease and getting painful stones. However, for those diagnosed with kidney disease, the high calcium, phosphorus, and potassium levels in cow's milk can cause issues.
Yet people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have to limit dairy products in their kidney diet. High levels of phosphorus, potassium and calcium in something like low-fat milk are not good for someone on a kidney diet.
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.
Some believe that drinking milk can increase the risk of kidney stones. However, it's a mere myth and has no scientific basis. It is believed that calcium in the milk can accumulate and result in stone formation in the kidneys. However, the fact is that milk can actually protect the kidneys.
Caffeine found in coffee, tea, soda, and foods can also place a strain on your kidneys. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can cause increased blood flow, blood pressure and stress on the kidneys. Excessive caffeine intake has also been linked to kidney stones.
While plain water is the best drink for your kidneys, other fluids are perfectly acceptable, including coffee, green tea, low-potassium juices, and infused water. Avoid sweetened, carbonated beverages and coconut water.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.
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.
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.
Good options include porridge, cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Weetabix, shredded wheat, Special K and Cheerios. Potatoes. Have these only occasionally and make sure that they are boiled in plenty of water, which is then thrown away. This will help to remove some of the potassium from the potatoes.
Soy, almond, and cashew milks have a high oxalate content and may be restricted if you have a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Consult your doctor or kidney dietitian for more information on oxalate-containing foods.
The goal is to avoid taking in too much over the course of a day. Take oats. Yes, they're higher in phosphorus, but a randomized study from Clinical Nutrition found that eating a bowl a day, or about half a cup of dry oats, had a net positive effect for people with CKD.
Tomatoes are a good way to add extra potassium to your diet and decrease the need to take an additional potassium pill. Eating tomatoes will not have an effect on forming kidney stones.
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.
Your body needs protein to build tissue and stay strong, so eat the right amount without eating an excess. Most people with chronic kidney disease need between 60-70 grams of protein a day, which is the amount in about 7 ounces of meat or 10 large eggs.
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)
Greek yogurt requires careful consideration to be included in the meal plan for a person on dialysis. It is high in protein, phosphorus, and potassium. Yogurt can be found on more than one “to avoid” list for persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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.
Mushrooms are rich in Vitamin D and are essential to regulate kidney function and help prevent kidney disease.
Tuna is kidney-friendly and an inexpensive source of protein. Make homemade tuna salad with yogurt instead of mayo and throw it into a pita for a delicious meal. Low-sodium chicken broth or bouillon cubes.
In general, kidneys don't require any special "cleaning." Your kidneys should function just fine if you drink enough water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Males should drink 13 cups of water each day, and females should drink 9.