Kidney Diabetes Diet

Answer 1

Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is extremely important that you eat a healthy diet and take care of your kidneys. When your doctor places you on a kidney disease diet, you limit the foods that are a higher risk to kidney function.

Low sodium foods

Typically, when you change your diet for diabetes, you are most concerned with lowering sugar and high-carbohydrate foods, but when your kidney is at risk of failure, it is crucial to cut out high sodium foods as well. This is a good idea as sodium can thicken the bloodstream, and make your heart work harder to pump it through your body. A small amount of sodium is generally necessary for proper bodily functions; however, it is your kidney�s job to process sodium, and when you are at risk for kidney-failure, the sodium starts to build up in your system to dangerous levels. High sodium foods include many canned goods (check the label), salty meats like ham and bacon, cheese (especially processed cheese) and of course adding extra table salt. For a full list always consult your doctor.

Potassium and phosphorous

Just like salt, these minerals build up in your system when your kidney starts to fail. They are equally as dangerous as they can cause calcium imbalance and irregular heart rhythm. Many otherwise healthy foods such as apricots, grapes, bananas, broccoli, nuts and Oranges are high in potassium. Phosphorous rich foods consist of beer, cheese, peanut butter, liver, milk, beans, sardines and ice cream. It is important to obtain a full list of these foods to avoid putting your body at risk.

While the American Diabetes Association recommends whole wheat bread to white for diabetics due to the healthier contents, for diabetics at risk of kidney failure, white bread is recommended. White bread has a lower nutritional value including lower potassium and phosphorous nutrients.

It is crucial to discuss these issues with your doctor and a kidney specialist when faced with kidney failure as a result of your diabetes. Healthy life changes and careful monitoring of your diet can ease the symptoms of diabetes and kidney failure, and even slow its progression.