Minimally processed oats can be an essential part of a kidney disease diet due to their rich nutritious content. Oats can aid in improving digestive and heart health. Oats are rich in a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan which signals the liver to remove LDL (bad) cholesterol from the blood.
A 2016 study suggests that people with CKD who ate 50 grams (g) of oats daily may have experienced benefits. After 8 weeks, people who ate oats had lower levels of serum albumin and potassium in their blood. Serum albumin and potassium can be used to measure how well the kidneys are functioning.
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.
Other types of oatmeal that are unflavored such as steel cut oats or rolled oats will have similar nutrition, so rolled oats, quick oats, and steel cut oats are all considered low potassium foods.
As kidney disease gets worse, you may need to swap out your breakfast omelets for oatmeal. “A lower-protein diet may be advised for some people who have chronic kidney disease once they reach stage 4 or 5 but before they start dialysis,” says Michelle Routhenstein. She's a registered dietitian in New York City.
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. For a change, try hot cereal like oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, or Malto-meal.
Carrots and the Kidneys
Research shows that beta carotene is one of the best nutrients for helping the kidneys flush out toxins. Beta carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, also has anti-inflammatory properties and is especially helpful for preventing and managing urinary tract infections.
People suffering from CKD must be careful in their selection of oats and should prefer less processed ones like steel-cut oats because instant oats can be high on certain minerals which are not ideal for a CKD patient.
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.
Brie, cream cheese, goat cheese (soft), natural sharp cheddar, natural Swiss cheese and ricotta are among the lowest in sodium (35 to 200 mg per ounce). In general limiting hard and processed cheeses will help keep sodium intake down.
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) Transplant.
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.
Phosphorus and Dairy Foods
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.
Pasta for Diabetes and CKD
You can read more about diabetes and kidney disease here. Whole wheat pasta and shirataki pasta (pasta zero) can be some of your best options when choosing a diabetes and kidney-friendly pasta. These two both have moderate amounts of carbohydrates and are good sources of fiber.
Despite the nutritional benefits of potato tuber, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) should limit the consumption because of its high potassium content.
Traditionally, white bread was recommended for people with kidney disease because it has less potassium and phosphorus.