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In the kidney failure diet it is very important to control the intake of salt, phosphorus, potassium and proteins, in addition to the amount of salt, water and sugar. For this reason, good strategies include reducing the consumption of processed foods, preferring fruits cooked twice and consuming proteins only at lunch and dinner.
The quantities, as well as the foods allowed or prohibited, vary according to the stage of the disease and the exams of each person, so the diet should always be guided by a nutritionist, who will take into account the entire history of the person.
Watch the video of our nutritionist to know the care you should take with food:
Foods that must be controlled
In general, the foods that should be consumed in moderation by those suffering from kidney failure are:
1. Potassium-rich foods
The kidney of patients with kidney failure has a hard time getting rid of excess potassium from the blood, so these people need to control their intake of this nutrient. Foods rich in potassium are:
- Fruits: avocado, banana, coconut, fig, guava, kiwi, orange, papaya, passion fruit, tangerine or tangerine, grape, raisin, plum, prune, lime orange, melon, apricot, blackberry, date;
- Vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, mandioquinha, carrots, chard, beets, celery, cauliflower, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, radish, tomatoes, pickled hearts of palm, spinach, chicory, turnip;
- Legumes: beans, lentils, corn, peas, chickpeas, soybeans, broad beans;
- Whole grains: wheat, rice, oats;
- Whole foods: cookies, whole pasta, breakfast cereals;
- Oilseeds: peanuts, chestnuts, almonds, hazelnuts;
- Industrialized products: chocolate, tomato sauce, broth and chicken broth tablets;
- Drinks: coconut water, sports drinks, black tea, green tea, mate tea;
- Seeds: sesame, linseed;
- Rapadura and sugarcane juice;
- Diabetic salt and light salt.
Excess potassium can cause muscle weakness, arrhythmias and cardiac arrests, so the diet for chronic kidney failure has to be individualized and monitored by the doctor and nutritionist, who will assess the appropriate amounts of nutrients for each patient.
2. Phosphorus-rich foods
Phosphorus-rich foods should also be avoided by people with chronic kidney failure to control kidney function. These foods are:
- Canned fish;
- Salted, smoked and sausage meats, such as sausage, sausage;
- Bacon, bacon;
- Egg yolk;
- Milk and dairy products;
- Soy and derivatives;
- Beans, lentils, peas, corn;
- Oilseeds, such as chestnuts, almonds and peanuts;
- Seeds such as sesame and flaxseed;
- Cocada;
- Beer, cola soft drinks and hot chocolate.
Symptoms of excess phosphorus are itchy body, hypertension and mental confusion, and patients with kidney failure should be aware of these signs.
3. Protein-rich foods
Patients with chronic kidney failure need to control their protein intake, as the kidney also cannot eliminate the excess of this nutrient. Thus, these people should avoid excessive consumption of meat, fish, eggs and milk and dairy products, as they are foods rich in protein.
Ideally, the patient with kidney failure will eat only about 1 small beef steak for lunch and dinner, and 1 glass of milk or yogurt per day. However, this amount varies according to the function of the kidney, being more restrictive for those people where the kidney almost no longer works.
4. Foods rich in salt and water
People with kidney failure also need to control their salt intake, as excess salt raises blood pressure and forces the kidney to work, further impairing the function of that organ. The same happens with excess fluids, as these patients produce little urine, and excess fluids accumulate in the body and cause problems such as swelling and dizziness.
So these people should avoid using:
- Salt;
- Seasonings such as broth tablets, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce;
- Canned and frozen frozen food;
- Packet snacks, chips and salt crackers;
- Fast food;
- Powdered or canned soups.
To avoid excess salt, a good option is to use aromatic herbs to season foods, such as parsley, coriander, garlic and basil. The doctor or nutritionist will indicate the appropriate amount of salt and water allowed for each patient. See more tips at: How to reduce salt consumption.
How to reduce potassium in foods
In addition to avoiding the consumption of foods rich in potassium, there are also strategies that help to reduce the potassium content of fruits and vegetables, such as:
- Peel fruits and vegetables;
- Cut and rinse the food well;
- Place the vegetables soak in water in the refrigerator the day before use;
- Place the food in a pan with water and boil for 10 minutes. Then drain the water and prepare the food as you wish.
Another important tip is to avoid using pressure cookers and microwaves to prepare meals, as these techniques concentrate the potassium content in foods because they do not allow water to be changed.
How to choose snacks
Restrictions on the kidney patient's diet can make it difficult to choose snacks. So the 3 most important guidelines when choosing healthy snacks in kidney disease are:
- Eat always cooked fruit (cook twice), never reusing cooking water;
- Restrict industrialized and processed foods that are generally high in salt or sugar, preferring homemade versions;
- Eat protein only at lunch and dinner, avoiding its consumption in snacks.
Here are some options for low-potassium foods.
Sample 3-day menu
The following is an example of a 3-day menu that respects the general guidelines for people with kidney failure:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
Breakfast | 1 small cup of coffee or tea (60 ml) + 1 slice of plain corn cake (70g) + 7 units of grapes | 1 small cup of coffee or tea (60 ml) + 1 tapioca (60g) with 1 teaspoon of butter (5g) + 1 cooked pear | 1 small cup of coffee or tea (60 ml) + 2 rice crackers + 1 slice of white cheese (30g) + 3 strawberries |
Morning snack | 1 slice of roasted pineapple with cinnamon and cloves (70g) | 5 starch biscuits | 1 cup unsalted popcorn with herbs |
Lunch | 1 grilled steak (60 g) + 2 bouquets of cooked cauliflower + 2 tablespoons of saffron rice + 1 canned peach unit | 2 tablespoons of shredded cooked chicken + 3 tablespoons of cooked polenta + cucumber salad (½ unit) seasoned with apple cider vinegar | 2 pancakes stuffed with ground meat (meat: 60 g) + 1 spoon (soup) of cooked cabbage + 1 spoon (soup) of white rice + 1 thin slice (20g) of guava |
Afternoon snack | 1 tapioca (60g) + 1 teaspoon unsweetened apple jam | 5 sweet potato sticks | 5 butter cookies |
Dinner | 1 spaghetti shell with chopped garlic + 1 roasted chicken leg (90 g) + lettuce salad seasoned with apple cider vinegar | Omelet with onion and oregano (use 1 egg only) + 1 plain bread to accompany + 1 roasted banana with cinnamon | 1 piece of cooked fish (60 g) + 2 tablespoons of cooked carrot with rosemary + 2 tablespoons of white rice |
Supper | 2 toast with 1 teaspoon of butter (5 g) + 1 small cup of chamomile tea (60ml) | ½ cup of milk (complete with filtered water) + 4 Maisena cookies | 1 baked apple with cinnamon |
5 healthy snacks for kidney failure
Some healthy recipes for people with kidney failure that can be used to prepare snacks are:
1. Tapioca with apple jam
Make a tapioca and then stuff it with this apple jam:
Ingredients
- 2 kg of red and ripe apples;
- Juice of 2 lemons;
- Cinnamon sticks;
- 1 large glass of water (300 ml).
Preparation mode
Wash the apples, peel and cut into small pieces. Then, bring the apples to medium heat with the water, adding the lemon juice and cinnamon sticks. Cover the pan and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, pass the mixture in a mixer, to leave it with a more creamy consistency.
2. Roasted sweet potato chips
Ingredients
- 1 kg of sweet potatoes cut into sticks or sliced;
- Rosemary and thyme.
Preparation mode
Spread the sticks on an oiled platter and sprinkle the herbs. Then take it to the preheated oven at 200º for 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Starch biscuit
Ingredients
- 4 cups of sour powder;
- 1 cup of milk;
- 1 cup of oil;
- 2 whole eggs;
- 1 col. of salt coffee.
Preparation mode
Beat all ingredients in an electric mixer until uniform consistency is achieved. Use a pastry bag or a plastic bag to make the cookies in circles. Place in a medium preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Unsalted popcorn
Sprinkle popcorn with herbs for flavor. Good options are oregano, thyme, chimi-churri or rosemary. Watch the video below how to make popcorn in the microwave in a super healthy way:
5. Butter cookie
Ingredients
- 200 g unsalted butter;
- 1/2 cup of sugar;
- 2 cups of wheat flour;
- Lemon zest.
Preparation mode
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and knead until it is free from the hands and the bowl. If it takes too long, add a little more flour. Cut into small pieces and place in a medium-low oven, preheated, until lightly browned.