Especially at the beginning of a new diet and lifestyle journey, many people have a lot of questions before they can get started. Knowledge is power, and knowing what you are getting into and how your decisions can affect your health will better able you to make the best choices and live the healthiest lifestyle possible.

How important is diet for chronic kidney disease?

Diet changes are perhaps the most important part of your treatment plan for chronic kidney disease. In fact, diet changes alone can contribute to your possibility of slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease or even stopping it completely. This is because your kidneys are responsible for filtering the byproducts of everything you eat and drink.

Who needs to make dietary changes for CKD?

Any person that has been diagnosed with any stage of chronic kidney disease should start making dietary changes immediately. The sooner you make changes and start living a healthy lifestyle, the better your overall health and well-being will be. In fact, the earlier you start the easier it is to stop or slow the progression of kidney failure. You could effectively stop your illness in its tracks and avoid end stage renal disease by acting now.

What are the most important dietary restrictions for a CKD diet?

Sodium is the most important dietary restriction for chronic kidney patients. This simple nutrient makes so much of an impact on the entire body, especially the kidneys. Excess sodium can be hard to filter through failing kidneys, and a buildup of sodium can lead to devastating consequences. Phosphorus and potassium are also on the list of restrictions for many kidney patients, depending on what level of failure you are at.

What are the best foods for a CKD diet?

The best foods for a renal disease diet are foods that are low in sodium and high in vitamins and nutrients that can help your body rather than hurt it. Onions, garlic, bell peppers, red berries, and apples are all great examples of foods that you want to include in your daily diet for chronic kidney disease.

What are the worst foods for a CKD diet?

Salty snacks like chips and crackers are of course on list of foods you should avoid with chronic kidney disease. Canned foods are often packed with extra sodium and so they should be avoided whenever possible. Highly processed foods like boxed dinners are notorious for packing in excess sodium, sugar, and tons of hidden ingredients and chemicals that can be harmful to anyone, especially anyone with kidney disease.

A little knowledge can go a long way in the fight to live a healthy life with chronic health conditions. If you have more questions about chronic kidney disease and what foods you should be eating or avoiding, talk to your doctor or nutritionist right away. Your dietary changes could mean the difference in a life of discomfort and avoiding end stage renal disease. For more information on questions about chronic kidney disease diet click here.