Stages of kidney disease require different dietary restrictions, but a kidney-friendly or renal diet is generally about limiting potassium and sodium to a maximum of 2,000 mg and phosphorous to 800–1,000 mg per day. A dialysis center in Houston, Texas lists down the foods to avoid when you have bad kidneys:
- Avocados
These might be healthy addition to your diet but avocados are rich in potassium—one cup or 150 grams already provides a whopping 727 mg of potassium which is twice the amount of a medium banana. - Canned foods
While less costly and convenient, canned foods such as beans, soups, and vegetables consist of a high amount of sodium designed to increase their shelf lives. Patients on a dialysis must avoid these or choose at least those that are labeled “no salt added”. - Brown rice and whole wheat bread
For most healthy people, these two foods are usually most recommended but not for those with bad kidneys. Brown rice itself has a higher phosphorous and potassium content compared to white rice as well as whole wheat bread compared to its white counterpart. - Oranges and orange juice
While they’re rich in vitamin C, they’re also rich in potassium. Good substitutes would be apples, grapes, and cranberries. - Processed meats
Pepperoni, bacon, hot dogs, sausage, and jerky are just some examples of processed meats, all of which are considered unhealthy for patients with chronic diseases. Take note these foods are high in salt and protein.
Let South Belt Kidney Center , a kidney center in Texas, help you manage your kidney condition or be your partner for dialysis.
