Eating for Kidney Health: 5 Foods to Add to Your Diet

Keeping your kidneys healthy is a significant contributor to your overall health. When your kidneys are working well, your body filters waste effectively and keeps healthy fluids moving where they need to be.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease, are prone to other kidney problems, or are looking to maintain your current health and prevent future issues, eating a kidney-friendly diet goes a long way to promoting kidney health. Thomas Nguyen, MD, and our whole team at Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, recommend the following five foods to keep your kidneys healthy.

1. Berries

All fruits are delicious, but many are high in potassium, which is harder for your kidneys to remove when their functioning is impaired. Fortunately, berries are low in potassium.

Additionally, berries are high in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and loads of other nutrients. Give the following berries a try:

Acai berries
Blueberries
Strawberries
Pomegranates

Other healthy fruits low in potassium that you can enjoy with kidney problems are apples, citrus fruits, and cherries.

2. Fish

Fish is filled with healthy proteins and oils, without containing the unhealthy saturated fats found in other animal proteins. Some fish, such as salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and promote overall health.

Shellfish eaten in moderation can also be a great choice for healthy kidneys. They’re also filled with flavorful, low-fat protein and are low in oxalates.

3. Healthy oils

There are many tasty oils you can add to dishes that don’t have saturated fats. Instead, they’re full of unsaturated fat, which is key to keeping your heart healthy and helps regulate your kidneys.

Oils we recommend include:

Olive oil
Avocado oil
Sesame oil
Walnut oil
Sunflower oil
Flaxseed oil

When consumed in moderation, these oils provide a healthy flavor that enhances any dish without irritating the kidneys.

4. Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are a type of vegetable that comes from Brassica plants. There are many familiar favorites in this group, including broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, cauliflower, bok choy, and arugula.

This entire group of vegetables contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that support your kidneys and heart. They’re also low in potassium, help boost your immune system, and are packed with healthy nutrition for very few calories.

Cruciferous vegetables also help in preventing uncomfortable kidney stones from forming.

5. Plant protein

A plant-based protein diet is easier on your kidneys than animal protein. Plant sources of protein are easier for your kidneys to filter than animal sources because they’re lower in acid.

Plant protein doesn’t contain saturated fats, cholesterol, or trans fats that damage your kidneys. They’re also high in fiber, antioxidants, and other healthy nutrients.

The following plant-based proteins are excellent choices:

Nuts
Tofu
Beans
Seeds

If you like drinking milk, there are also several different plant milk alternatives on the market. Depending on which you choose, you can buy an option with plenty of calcium, protein, and other added vitamins.

When you combine kidney-healthy foods with other healthy lifestyle choices, you can prevent kidney problems and halt or slow the progression of mild to moderate kidney disease. If you have kidney disease and would like help managing your condition, contact us to get started.