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Diet alone doesn't directly cause kidney problems. However, maintaining unhealthy eating habits and regularly consuming substances that make the kidneys work harder than usual can certainly contribute. In this article, let Mytour Blog help you answer the question of what to eat for healthy kidneys, while introducing key foods to prioritize in your diet.
What is the best diet for the kidneys?
The best diet for the kidneys is one that provides adequate nutrition to ensure the kidneys are not overworked. This diet still needs to meet all energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements. However, the levels of certain nutrients such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, water, etc., will be strictly controlled. This is because they can accumulate in the body, hindering the function of the kidneys specifically and other organs in general.
What to Eat for Healthy Kidneys is a question that receives a lot of attention (Source: Internet)What Foods are Good for the Kidneys?
| Dưỡng chất | Hàm lượng tốt cho thận | Điều kiện áp dụng |
| Natri (có trong muối ăn, bột ngọt, bột nêm…) | < 2300mg/ngày | Tất cả mọi đối tượng |
| Kali | Từ 2000 – 3000mg/ngày | Không nạp quá hàm lượng cần thiết khi mắc bệnh thận mạn tính giai đoạn IIIA, IIIB, IV và V |
| Phốt pho | Từ 600 – 800mg/ngày | Không nạp quá hàm lượng cần thiết khi mắc bệnh thận mạn tính giai đoạn IIIA. IIIB, IV và V |
| Protein | Thể trạng bình thường: 1 – 1.2g protein/kg cơ thể/ngàySuy thận: 0.6 – 0.8g protein/ngườiSỏi thận: < 80g protein/ngày | Hàm lượng tốt cho thận tùy vào nhóm đối tượng |
| Oxalate | Từ 40 – 50mg/ngày | Không nạp quá hàm lượng cần thiết khi được chẩn đoán sỏi thận |
Choose Low-Salt, Low-Sodium Foods for Kidney Health
A good diet for the kidneys always includes low-salt and low-sodium foods. By reducing intake of these substances, you can effectively manage high blood pressure - a common cause of kidney disease. Food groups low in salt and sodium that should be regularly included in your diet are:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Swiss chard, turnips, carrots.
- Fruits: Watermelon, strawberries, apples, pears.
- Grains and Seeds: Corn, brown rice, oats, flaxseeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds.
- Healthy Protein: Skinless chicken breast, salmon, eggs, yogurt.
Individuals with weak kidney function should consume low-sodium foods (Source: Internet)Opt for Low-Potassium Foods if You Have Kidney Disease
If you have kidney disease or weak kidney function, prioritize selecting low-potassium foods. This makes it easier for the body to filter and excrete potassium, avoiding high blood potassium levels that can disrupt heart rhythm and affect health. Low-potassium foods are categorized as follows:
- Leafy Greens: Kale, collard greens, cabbage.
- Fruits: Pineapple, pear, apple.
- Grains and Seeds: White rice, pasta, oats.
- Protein Sources: Skinless fish fillets, boneless chicken breast, eggs.
- Other Foods: White bread, macaroni, butter, olive oil, tofu.
Kale is a low-potassium food beneficial for the kidneys (Source: Internet)Low-Phosphorus Foods for Those with Kidney Disease
Individuals with stage III, IV, and V chronic kidney disease should prioritize consuming low-phosphorus foods. Because when the kidneys are weak, the body lacks the ability to efficiently remove this mineral from the blood. Excess phosphorus can increase blood calcium levels, leading to bone loss, arterial calcification, and more. Some low-phosphorus foods you can add to your diet include:
- Fresh Fruits: Apple, plum, grape, orange, strawberry, watermelon, pineapple.
- Vegetables: Lettuce, kale, cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, bell pepper, asparagus, green beans, eggplant.
- Starches: Rice, bread, macaroni, rice bran.
- Healthy Protein Sources: Shiitake mushrooms, fish fillet, skinless chicken breast, egg white.
Pineapple is one of the low-phosphorus foods (Source: Internet)Low-Protein Food Options
Consuming foods high in protein content can increase the concentration of uric acid in the blood serum, leading to elevated blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the kidneys. This promotes the risk of acute/chronic kidney failure and kidney stones. Therefore, prioritizing low-protein foods is crucial for individuals with weak kidney function or kidney disease. Some ways to control protein intake through food that you can consider include:
- Ensure not to consume more than 55 – 85g of red meat/fish fillet/skinless chicken breast per meal, adhere to the daily protein intake limit as prescribed by the doctor when treating kidney-related disorders.
- Limit red meat consumption, prioritize healthy protein sources from beans, eggs, milk, fish fillet, skinless chicken breast, etc.
Individuals with kidney-related diseases should pay attention to not exceed 55 – 85g of red meat/fish fillet/skinless chicken breast per meal (Source: Internet)Low Oxalate Foods to Reduce Kidney Stone Formation
Foods high in oxalate can increase the risk of kidney stone recurrence in individuals with a history of this condition. The list of foods with high oxalate content to avoid for people with weak kidney function includes rice bran, buckwheat, hazelnuts, kale, potatoes, lima beans, beets, avocado, orange, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, chard, kiwi, and more.
Kiwi contains high levels of oxalate, unsuitable for individuals with weak kidney function (Source: Internet)TOP 15 Kidney-Boosting Foods to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
What to Eat for Kidney Health? Below is a list of foods to prioritize in your diet, especially for those with weak kidney function or related diseases.
Mackerel
Abundant in Omega 3, mackerel is highly beneficial for individuals undergoing treatment for kidney conditions. This food also aids in reducing inflammation and combating depression and anxiety. However, when incorporating mackerel into your diet, it's important to control the intake to prevent excessive phosphorus absorption.
Mackerel, rich in Omega 3, is excellent for kidney health (Source: Internet)Sweet Potato
The potassium content in sweet potatoes helps reduce fluid retention caused by sodium minerals in the kidneys. However, individuals with chronic kidney disease or undergoing dialysis should limit the consumption of this type of food due to its relatively high potassium content.
The potassium content in sweet potatoes helps neutralize sodium minerals accumulated in the kidneys (Source: Internet)Berries
Berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and grapes possess compounds that effectively protect and enhance kidney function, specifically:
- Ellagic acid: Reduces the risk and prevents the progression of chronic kidney disease due to toxicity
- Anthocyanins: Improves kidney function, particularly in patients with diabetic kidney disease
- Resveratrol: Halts the progression of chronic kidney disease, minimizing the risk of mortality in affected individuals.
Berries contain many beneficial compounds for kidney function (Source: Internet)Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens are rich in fiber, thus aiding in controlling blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure – common factors leading to kidney disease. The fiber content in greens also helps the body prioritize retaining calcium in the gut, limiting this mineral from entering the kidneys, precipitating, and forming kidney stones (calcium oxalate).
Dark leafy greens have high fiber content (Source: Internet)Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a food low in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, making it ideal for supplementing the diet of people with kidney-related diseases. Additionally, cauliflower has a low calorie content, helping prevent weight gain and reducing the risk of kidney disease due to obesity.
The potassium, phosphorus, and sodium content in cauliflower are very suitable for people with weak kidney function (Source: Internet)Red Bell Pepper
Red bell peppers contain very little sodium content, helping to reduce the pressure on filtering and excreting this mineral for the kidneys. Additionally, they are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and flavonoid compounds, which help prevent the leading cause of kidney failure, oxidative damage.
The sodium content in red bell peppers is almost negligible (Source: Internet)Onion
Onions not only add flavor to dishes as a salt substitute but also contain very little sodium, making them excellent for kidney health. This type of food also provides manganese, vitamin B, vitamin C, and especially prostaglandin compounds that naturally reduce blood viscosity, preventing high blood pressure.
Onions can be used as a salt substitute to add flavor to dishes (Source: Internet)Asparagus
Asparagus contains high levels of quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid compound that helps prevent high blood pressure, limiting the risk of kidney failure. They also aid in the removal of toxins and excess mineral salts from the kidneys more efficiently, assisting in the prevention of kidney stones due to their diuretic properties.
Due to its antioxidant compounds, asparagus prevents hypertension and provides excellent kidney protection (Source: Internet)Garlic
According to statistics, one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease is high blood pressure. Therefore, garlic, rich in allicin – an antioxidant compound, regulates blood pressure and is considered an essential food in the diet of those with kidney-related conditions.
Garlic helps address blood pressure issues – a common cause of kidney diseases (Source: Internet)Cauliflower
Cauliflower provides essential nutrients including vitamin K, folate, and fiber. With 9.3mg of sodium, 88mg of potassium, 20mg of phosphorus, and 1g of protein per 62g serving of fresh cauliflower, it helps patients avoid excessive intake of substances that may affect kidney function.
The nutritional content in cauliflower helps patients with kidney diseases avoid exceeding permissible intake (Source: Internet)Red Grapes
Red grapes have very low protein content, at only 0.5mg, making them suitable for individuals with kidney-related conditions. These grapes also provide flavonoid antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, prevent heart disease, diabetes, and various other conditions.
Red grapes have very low protein content (Source: Internet)Watermelon
92% of watermelon's composition is water. Therefore, incorporating watermelon into the diet in any form helps the body increase urine excretion, supporting prevention and breakdown of kidney stones. Additionally, watermelon is rich in lycopene, which acts as an antioxidant by neutralizing harmful free radicals, protecting overall health.
Watermelon's high water content makes it diuretic, aiding in preventing kidney-related diseases (Source: Internet)Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms contain less potassium than other mushroom varieties, making them suitable for supplementation in the diet of chronic patients without excessive mineral intake. Moreover, this food is rich in B-group vitamins, healthy proteins, ... helping to enhance the immune system, anti-inflammatory, and prevent kidney diseases.
Porcini mushrooms not only provide protein to the body but also have very low potassium content (Source: Internet)Foods Kidney Patients Should Avoid
If you have weak kidney function or are undergoing treatment for related conditions, you should pay attention to reducing and limiting the following foods in your diet.
- Fruits: Avocado, mango, banana, orange, dried grapes.
- Vegetables: Cooked spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, pickles, beans.
- Protein sources: Brown rice, whole grain bread, cereal bran, oats; processed meats.
- Others: Cookies, milk, canned foods.
Most of the foods listed above contain high levels of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, which when absorbed in excess, will directly affect the kidneys.
People with kidney problems should limit the intake of foods high in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium (Source: Internet)What should you do to protect your kidneys?
In fact, knowing what to eat for your kidneys is not enough to maximize prevention of related diseases. You'll need to pay attention to more aspects to keep your kidneys functioning well and your body healthy. Here are some helpful tips:
- Lifestyle Changes: Those with weak kidney function or related conditions are often advised to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, engaging in regular physical activity, exercising for at least 150 minutes/day. You should also avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or over-the-counter ibuprofen unless instructed by a doctor.
- Build a Healthy Diet: For weak kidney conditions, you should build a healthy diet, not exceeding 6g of salt/day, limiting excess protein, phosphorus, sodium, etc. At the same time, prioritize using the kidney-friendly foods suggested by Mytour above.
To protect your kidneys well, you should pay attention to lifestyle changes and engage in regular physical activity and exercise (Source: Internet)Frequently Asked Questions
Make lifestyle changes, learn about what to eat for your kidneys, and develop a diet that minimizes the substances that make the kidneys work harder than normal, such as potassium, phosphorus, sodium…
Types of juices from pineapple, strawberries, black beans water… generally, these are very good for those with weak kidney function or suffering from related diseases
Here are the types of foods answering the question what to eat for your kidneys and help you build a healthy, reasonable diet. With this information, you can rest assured not to intake substances that affect the kidneys specifically and overall health. Don't forget to follow the latest posts on Mytour's blog to update more useful information!
