Kidneys help control the amount of fluid that leaves your body. If your kidney disease progresses, your kidneys may be unable to regulate the removal of fluid from your body and as a result your doctor may ask you to limit your fluid intake. Too much fluid may cause swelling, shortness of breath, or high blood pressure.
What exactly is a fluid? Fluids are any food that is liquid or anything that melts into a liquid. Examples of fluids include the following:
• Coffee
• Tea
• Sodas
• Soups
• Popsicles
• Ice cream, sherbet
• Ice cubes
• Gelatin
• Milk, liquid creamer
• Water
• Wine and beer
If your doctor advises you to decrease the amount of fluids you eat and drink each day these …show more content…
Serving size will determine whether foods are a low, moderate, or high potassium level.
A large serving size of a low potassium food can become a high potassium food.
The Renal Diet- Protein
Before making any changes to your diet, make sure you discuss them with your doctor or dietitian.
Diet plays an important role in the management of kidney disease. The diet your physician will ask you to follow will be based upon your level of kidney function, your body size, and any other medical conditions you may have. Your diet may be helpful in delaying the need for dialysis.
Protein is needed to maintain muscles, aid in building resistance to infections, and repair and replace body tissue.
As your body breaks down protein foods, waste products called urea are formed. As kidney function declines, urea builds up in the bloodstream.
Eating to much protein may cause urea to build up more quickly. This will make you feel sick.
Eating less protein may be helpful in reducing your blood urea levels.
Reducing protein intake must be monitored by your doctor and dietician.
Examples of foods high in protein …show more content…
Your physician will determine how much protein should be in your diet.
The Renal Diet- Sodium
Before making any changes to your diet, make sure you discuss them with your doctor or dietitian.
Sodium is needed by the body for many functions such as controlling muscle contractions, balancing fluids, and controlling blood pressure. Healthy kidneys remove excess sodium in the urine. As kidney function declines, sodium and fluids may accumulate in your body. Fluid retention may cause swelling in your eyes, hands, and/or ankles. To keep your sodium level in balance, your doctor may ask you to limit the sodium in your diet.
Foods high in sodium include the following:
• Table salt
• Bouillon cubes
• Potato chips
• Nuts
• Bacon
• Cold Cuts
• Cheese
• Canned, dehydrated, or instant soup
• Canned vegetables
• Processed dinner mixes (such as Hamburger Helper,