In the diet for kidney problems, it is important to control the intake of proteins, such as chicken, beans, fish and eggs, as excessive consumption can overload the kidneys, favoring the occurrence of signs and symptoms, such as back pain, tiredness, pain when urinating. or frequent urge to urinate.
In the case of kidney failure, it is also important to control the consumption of foods rich in potassium, such as cheese, nuts, coconut and dried fruits, as excess of this mineral can accumulate in the body, overloading the kidneys and may also cause heart problems. Find out the causes and how to treat kidney failure.
However, before starting the diet, it is essential to consult a nutritionist, so that an assessment can be made of the kidney problem, current health status and individual nutritional needs.
See nutritionist Tatiana Zanin for tips on eating for kidney problems:
1. Diet for kidney failure
The diet for kidney failure varies according to the stage of the disease and aims to maintain adequate weight, preserve kidney functions and avoid complications such as fluid retention, fatigue, anemia and high blood pressure.
The diet for kidney failure can vary depending on whether or not the person is undergoing hemodialysis, which is a treatment indicated to filter the blood, eliminating excess toxins, minerals and fluids from the body. This happens because in conservative treatment, when not undergoing hemodialysis, the need for calories, protein, potassium and phosphorus is lower than when undergoing hemodialysis, for example. See more about hemodialysis.
Menu for kidney patients
The following table contains an example of a 3-day menu with general guidelines for kidney failure:
In addition to diet, it is also recommended to maintain regular physical exercise, under the guidance of a physical activity professional, to avoid excess weight, control high blood pressure and improve kidney function.
Conservative diet
The conservative diet is recommended for people with kidney failure who have altered kidney filtration function and who are not undergoing hemodialysis. In this case, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of the following nutrients:
- Calories: The diet should contain between 25 to 35 calories/kg of body weight per day. A person weighing 60 kg should consume between 1500 and 2100 calories per day, for example, varying according to health status, weight, age and sex;
- Proteins: In this case, protein intake must be reduced to avoid overloading the kidneys, remaining between 0.6 and 0.8 g per kg of body weight per day. A person weighing 60 kg should consume 36 to 48 g of protein per day, which is equivalent to 1 boiled egg and 100 g of chicken breast, for example;
- Sodium: as high blood pressure is one of the causes or consequences of kidney failure, it is important to reduce sodium consumption, with an intake of up to 2 g of sodium being recommended, which corresponds to 5 g of salt per day;
- Liquids: People undergoing conservative treatment generally do not need to reduce their fluid intake, such as water, coffee, or tea. However, depending on the severity of the disease, the nephrologist or nutritionist may recommend reducing fluid intake, which must be assessed individually;
- Potassium: The consumption of potassium, present in foods such as bananas, dried fruits and legumes, should only be reduced when advised by a doctor or nutritionist. Therefore, in some cases it may be necessary to limit the intake of this mineral to 1 to 3g per day.
Additionally, if blood phosphorus levels are high, your doctor or nutritionist may restrict your phosphorus intake to a maximum of 1g per day.
It is important to remember that the diet must be adjusted according to the degree of kidney failure, health status, age and sex of each person, and, therefore, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist before starting the diet. diet.
Diet for hemodialysis
The hemodialysis diet is important to avoid overloading the kidneys, avoiding swelling, loss of weight and muscle mass, which can happen during hemodialysis sessions. Therefore, nutritional recommendations for people on hemodialysis are:
- Energy: The energy recommendation ranges from 30 to 40 calories/kg of body weight per day. A person weighing 60 kg needs to consume between 1800 and 2400 calories per day, for example;
- Proteins: the amount of protein is increased, as a lot of this nutrient is lost during hemodialysis sessions, and the intake of 1.3 to 2g of protein kg of body weight per day is recommended;
- Sodium: Controlling sodium intake is important to avoid thirst, excess body fluid and high blood pressure, with consumption of 1.8 to 2.3 g of sodium per day being recommended, which corresponds to a maximum of 5.7 g of salt per day;
- Liquids: Fluid intake must be controlled to avoid swelling, shortness of breath and high blood pressure, with 500 ml + urine volume in 24 hours a day being recommended. For example, if the volume of urine in 24 hours is 300 ml, then the intake should be 500 ml + 300 ml, totaling 800 ml of liquids per day, which include pure water and the water used to prepare coffee, soups and teas;
- Phosphor: During hemodialysis it is important to control the intake of foods rich in phosphorus, such as dairy products, whole grains, dried fruits and legumes, because at this stage the body generally has high concentrations of this mineral. Therefore, the recommended phosphorus consumption is between 0.8 and 1.2 g per day;
- Potassium: According to blood potassium levels, it is recommended to reduce potassium intake to up to 2.5 g per day.
To reduce potassium intake from food, you can also consume peeled and cooked fruits and vegetables, as cooking in water reduces the content of this mineral in food. See other tips for reducing the amount of potassium in food.
2. Kidney stone diet
The kidney stone diet helps control the size of kidney stones, preventing symptoms such as painful urination, back pain and fever. In the diet for kidney stones, it is important to prioritize foods with good amounts of calcium and water, which will prevent the formation and help eliminate stones, including:
- Dairy, such as yogurt, milk and cheese;
- Fresh fruitsuch as orange, apple, pear, strawberry, orange and lemon;
- fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, zucchini and chayote;
- Water: drink 2.5 liters of water per day;
- Legumes, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas or soybeans.
Legumes contain a high oxalate content, so it is recommended to soak these foods in water before preparing them.
Furthermore, it is important to avoid foods rich in calcium oxalate, a compound found in foods such as legumes, cereals and some fruits, and which, in excess, can cause kidney stones, as well as foods rich in sodium, as this mineral increases the elimination of calcium in the urine. It is also recommended to pay attention to the amount of protein consumed per day, as it can also promote the formation of kidney stones. See more details on the kidney stone diet.
3. Kidney Infection Diet
In the case of kidney infection, it is recommended to prioritize healthy and natural foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, legumes and lean proteins, as well as increasing your intake of liquids, such as water or teas, which will help increase the urine volume and promote the elimination of bacteria that cause the infection.
Furthermore, cranberries can also be included in your diet, as they are rich in polyphenols, making it difficult for bacteria that cause urinary tract infections to adhere, preventing and combating kidney infections.
It is also important to avoid consuming some foods that can alter the intestinal flora and cause bladder irritation, such as:
- Refined cereals, such as white rice, white wheat flour and white pasta;
- Candy, such as sugar, ice cream, cakes or chocolate;
- Caffeine, such as coffee, green tea, black tea and mate tea;
- Processed meats, such as sausage, bacon, sausage and salami.
Furthermore, it is also recommended to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine or sparkling wine, as they can irritate the kidneys, worsening the kidney infection.
