Don’t Eat These 10 Foods If You Want Healthy Kidneys, Eat These 10 Instead
To Eat or Not to Eat
They may not be as obvious to you as your heart or lungs, but your kidneys work around the clock to keep you healthy, filtering through your blood and removing waste. While some foods can make their job harder, others ease their workload. Here are ten foods to avoid for healthy kidneys and ten to eat instead.
1. Processed Meats
In general, eating a lot of protein can be hard for the kidneys to filter through. However, processed meats are also very high in sodium which can inhibit kidney function.
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2. Pickles
As part of the preserving process, pickled foods are cured in salt so they have an extremely high sodium content. Large amounts of sodium put stress on your kidneys and cause high blood pressure by throwing off the balance in your body.
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3. Cola
Dark-colored sodas are high in phosphorus which can be damaging to the kidneys. When your kidney is under stress, it can’t filter phosphorus from your blood very well potentially causing life-threatening deposits in your organs.
4. Dairy Products
Although dairy products contain important nutrients, people with reduced kidney function should limit their intake. This is because, in addition to their protein and calcium content, they’re also high in phosphorus, and a lot of dairy could cause protein to build up in the blood, adding stress to the kidneys.
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5. Avocados
Avocados boast several healthy qualities including antioxidants and fiber. However, anyone with damaged kidneys should reduce their intake due to avocados’ high potassium content. The kidneys can’t remove excess potassium so it enters your bloodstream instead of being excreted.
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6. Bananas
Bananas are another high-potassium food that needs to be limited by anyone with reduced kidney function. Potassium buildup in the blood can cause heart problems.
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7. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a delicious, versatile, and nutrient-packed food. However, anyone with kidney disease should avoid them due to their high potassium content. Try swapping tomatoes for red peppers or other vegetables.
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8. Whole Wheat Bread
This one may come as a surprise, but for people with kidney disease, white bread is recommended over whole wheat. This is because whole wheat bread has a lot of potassium and phosphorus which are difficult for damaged kidneys to process.
9. Orange Juice
You may be accustomed to having a cold glass of OJ with your breakfast, but if you have kidney disease you’ll want to consider swapping it out for cranberry. Oranges and their juice are another high-potassium food that needs to be limited.
10. Potatoes
Another potassium-rich food that anyone with reduced kidney function should be wary of are potatoes. Studies have found that soaking or boiling them reduces their potassium content; however, it doesn’t eliminate it.
Now that we’ve talked about what you can’t have, let’s talk about what you can.
1. Cauliflower
An extremely versatile vegetable that can be a suitable alternative to potatoes and other starches is cauliflower. It’s low in phosphorus and potassium and has plenty of fiber which helps digestion.
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2. Blueberries
This magical little fruit seems to be good for everything. Blueberries are low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus making them a safe choice for anyone with damaged kidneys. They’re also high in vitamins C and K, manganese, and fiber.
3. Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are low in potassium making them safe for people with kidney disease. Additionally, they’re high in vitamins C and A, folic acid, fiber, and antioxidants which help stave off diseases.
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4. Garlic
Not only does it save you from vampires, but it might save you from kidney complications too. Garlic has been shown to repair kidneys due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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5. Cabbage
Low in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium and high in vitamins C and K, fiber, and folic acid, cabbage is a safe choice for anyone with kidney problems. Use it as a garnish, raw and thinly sliced to boost your dietary fiber, or steam the leaves and use them as a wrap.
6. Apples
If you’re looking for a simple portable fruit to replace bananas, look no further than the humble apple. Apples are low in potassium and phosphorus and they’re rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which help boost immunity.
7. Onions
In addition to adding a lot of flavor to your dishes which prevents you from going for the salt, onions contain allicin, a compound that may protect the kidneys and lower blood pressure. They’re also low in potassium and phosphorus and are high in B vitamins and fiber.
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8. Cranberries
Cranberries are very low in potassium and high in anti-oxidative vitamin C, making them a good choice for those with damaged kidneys. Cranberry juice has long been thought to help treat kidney stones and UTIs, conditions associated with kidney disease.
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9. Strawberries
Strawberries are a delicious superfood for those with kidney infections due to their vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium, and antioxidant content. They’re also low in potassium and phosphorus, two no-nos for damaged kidneys.
10. Egg Whites
If you love eggs but are nervous about the phosphorus content in the yolk, try making your breakfast using only the whites instead. They’re a great source of kidney-safe protein that contains all the amino acids and very little phosphorus.
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