Diet for Kidney Disease Patients

Kidney disease requires careful management to slow disease progression and prevent patients from experiencing additional kidney damage. Because of the effects of protein, sodium, potassium and phosphorus on the kidneys, the diet for kidney disease patients focuses on reducing consumption of foods and beverages that contain high amounts of these substances. Proper attention to diet can prevent kidney damage and help renal patients live more normal lives.

Disease Stages

Kidney disease has five stages, with stage one being the most mild and stage five being the most severe. Patients with stage one kidney disease may only need mild restrictions to keep their fluid levels in check and prevent harmful waste products from building up in the blood. Those with severe kidney disease may have to limit fluid intake and adhere to a restricted diet. Following a diet for kidney disease patients can reduce the workload of the kidneys and prevent the buildup of blood urea and other waste products.

Diet Planning

According to the professionals from the Renal Unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, medical professionals will base their diet recommendations on a patient's laboratory test results. If there is a large amount of protein in the urine and the patient's creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are elevated, there will be more restrictions than if the patient only has a small amount of albumin in the urine and the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are relatively normal. Doctors may also review the amounts of sodium, phosphorus and potassium in the blood to determine if consumption needs to be limited.

Food Restrictions

Information provided by the University of Virginia Health System shows that kidney disease patients should restrict their intake of foods that are high in protein. High-protein foods include poultry, beef, pork, nuts, eggs, dairy products and legumes. Foods that are high in sodium, potassium and phosphorus should also be avoided. Foods high in sodium include salted nuts, canned vegetables, soups, breads, frozen dinners, snack foods and meats that have been cured. Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, yams, bananas and dairy products. Foods that have high levels of phosphorus include soft drinks, potatoes, corn and chocolate. Avoiding these foods can help to reduce the workload of the kidneys and prevent kidney disease from progressing.

Fluid Restriction

Managing the body's fluid balance is one of the most important jobs of the kidneys. When kidney function declines, patients may experience swelling of the eyelids, fingers, ankles and feet. In this case, fluid restrictions may become a part of the kidney disease diet. According to the Yale Medical Group, children with severe kidney disease may be restricted to as little as 500 cc of fluid per day. For adults, there is no one recommend amount of daily fluid intake. The Kidney Patient Guide states that fluid restrictions will depend on a patient's health, current kidney function, and results of laboratory testing. Because all drinks contain mostly water and foods such as ice cream, soup and sorbet contain fluid, the Renal Center at RD411.com recommends that fluid intake is controlled by avoiding salty foods that increase thirst, drinking only when thirsty, rinsing out a dry mouth without swallowing the water, and chewing sugar-free gum to keep the mouth moist.