The kidney is a warrior of the human body. It balances water, electrolytes and solutes, filters the water and drains it from the blood, producing about 1,500 milliliters (50 ounces) of urine daily. It is processed by one million functional units of each kidney called “nephrons”. Nephrons include renal tubules, limbs, and other structures, as well as glomeruli that produce ultrafiltration.
Two chronic diseases that increase the risk of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure (high blood pressure). Kidney disease is ultimately divided into four states: kidney stones, acute kidney disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). Limiting the intake of sodium and saturated fat is a major way to reduce risk and control diabetes and high blood pressure, and may prevent the development of kidney disease.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the kidneys are a force to consider, but if you don’t take care of them in a healthy way, including what we eat, they can be damaged. Here are the top five foods you should avoid to best protect your kidneys. Read on, and for more, don’t miss the # 1 best eating habit for kidney disease, says science.
Processed meats such as bacon, sausages, hot dogs, deli meats and hamburger patties pose a double threat to kidney health. It may be high in sodium and animal-derived protein. Excessive sodium intake in excess of 2300 milligrams (mg) per day on a regular basis promotes a diet that can raise blood pressure, which causes extra stress in the kidneys. Recent literature also suggests that more animal protein than dietary vegetable protein may accelerate the progression of kidney disease.
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If you have a cold or flu-like symptom, it is often considered a way to relieve mild lunchside or sore throat, but unfortunately the soup contains salt. Even if the soup is homemade, it often uses beef, chicken, or vegetable stocks and contains over 800 milligrams of sodium per cup. There are low-sodium and low-sodium versions on the market, but most consumers are aware that the flavors are off and, well, more salt is available. You can make a stock of sodium-free vegetable scraps, herbs and spices to add flavor to your soup base. However, in some cases it is best to avoid soup altogether.
Non-dessert pies, which are popular in the United States, are usually made in the same layer. Processed meats such as white bread crust, high sodium tomato sauce, high fat cheese, sausages and pepperoni. If you flip the next frozen pizza package over, you may be surprised to find that it has four digits of sodium nutrition and exceeds the recommended values for saturated fats. Takeaway and restaurant pizzas aren’t very good, but if you can customize your order, you can get nutritious quality (for example, meat-free, half cheese, whole wheat rind, etc.).
Potatoes are the number one vegetable consumed in Japan. And what is the best way it is consumed? Fried. Whether your taste is French fries, hash browns, potato chips, or potato pancakes, these foods do not benefit your kidneys. To protect the heart and kidneys, it is best to avoid fried foods. Potatoes are also high in potassium. Potassium is a mineral that we recommend that you pay attention to if your kidneys are damaged and you reach renal failure after CKD stage 3A.
Soy sauce and its cousin Tamari soy sauce are some of the best sodium sauces available in supermarkets. These products contain 950 milligrams of shocking sodium per tablespoon. This is almost 50 percent of the daily intake of sodium (DV). Soy sauce is classically used to give a “umami” or savory flavor. Check the recipe to see if there is a way to use low-sodium ingredients such as mushrooms, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, and flavored vinegar instead of soy sauce.
Molly Henbury, MS, RD, LD
Molly Hembree, MS, RD, LD are nationally recognized registered dietitians.read more
