the kidneys They are the warriors of the human body, balancing fluids, electrolytes, and solutes to filter water and waste from our blood to produce about 1,500 milliliters (50 fluid ounces) of urine a day. This is handled by the million functional units in each kidney called “nephrons,” which include tubules, limbs, and other structures, along with the glomeruli, which produce ultrafiltrate.
Two chronic diseases that increase the risk of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Kidney disease is ultimately classified into four conditions: kidney stones, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Limiting sodium and saturated fat intake are primary ways to reduce the risk of and/or control diabetes and hypertension, which may protect against the development of kidney disease.
All this to say that the kidneys are a force to be reckoned with, but they can also be prone to damage if we don’t take care of them with healthy habits, including what we eat. Here we discuss five of the top foods you should avoid to better protect your kidneys. Keep reading, and for more, do not miss The #1 Best Eating Habit for Kidney Disease, Science Says.
Meats that have been processed, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats and hamburgers, are a double threat to kidney health: They are likely to be high in sodium and animal protein. Excessive sodium intake above 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, on a regular basis, leads to a diet that can increase blood pressure, and this creates additional stress on the kidneys. It is also suggested in recent literature that more animal protein than plant protein in the diet can increase the rate of progression of kidney disease.
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Often thought of as a light lunch or a way to soothe a sore throat if you’re experiencing cold or flu symptoms, soups are unfortunately loaded with salt. Even if the soups are homemade, they often use beef, chicken or vegetable broth which clocks in at more than 800 milligrams of sodium per cup. exist reduced-sodium and low-sodium versions on the market, but most consumers find that the taste is not good and, well, they could use more salt. You can try your hand at making a sodium-free broth from leftover vegetables, herbs, and spices to flavor a soup base; however, it may be best to avoid soups altogether.
America’s favorite no-dessert pie is usually made with the same layers: white bread crust, high-sodium tomato sauce, high-fat cheese, and processed meat like sausage or pepperoni. Flip your next Frozen pizza package and you may be surprised to find nutrition facts that are in the quadruple digits for sodium and exceed the recommendations for saturated fat. Takeout or restaurant pizza isn’t much better, but could have some redeeming nutritional qualities if you can customize the order (eg no meat, half the cheese, whole wheat crust, etc.).
Potatoes are the number one vegetable consumed in the nation. And the number one way it is consumed? Fried. Whether you prefer French fries, hash browns, French fries or potato pancakes, these foods do your kidneys no favors. fried foods it is better to avoid them to protect the heart and kidneys. Potatoes are also high in potassium, which is a mineral that is generally recommended to monitor if your kidneys are compromised and you reach stage 3A CKD or later stages of kidney failure.
Soy sauce, as well as its cousin tamari, are some of the higher sodium sauces available in the supermarket. These products have a whopping 950 milligrams of sodium per one-tablespoon serving, which is nearly 50 percent of the daily value (DV) for sodium. Soy sauce is classically used to impart an “umami” or savory flavor. See if there is a way in your recipe to substitute low-sodium ingredients like mushrooms, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, or flavored vinegar for the soy sauce.
Molly Hembree, MS, RD, LD
Molly Hembree, MS, RD, LD, is a nationally recognized registered dietitian. read more
