Get Healthy Always

Cabbage

Cabbage is an ideal food for people with kidney damage or kidney disease. People with kidney conditions often have dietary restrictions such as avoiding foods with too much potassium, sodium, and phosphorus. Cabbage is low in these nutrients but high in fiber and antioxidants that can help heal the kidneys or, at least, help guard them against further damage.

Blueberries

As a rich source of antioxidants, it’s not surprising blueberries are especially ideal for a diet focused on kidney health. Like cabbage, blueberries are low in those nutrients that force the kidneys to work overly hard, such as phosphorus and potassium. Blueberries are excellent for supporting kidney health, but they also improve cognitive function and even help prevent heart disease.

Garlic

Garlic is a superfood that supports many aspects of health including kidney function, thanks to its outstanding anti-inflammatory properties. The bulb is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese — nutrients ideal for reducing inflammation. Because garlic is also flavorful, it makes a great alternative to salt. Even more so than others, people with kidney damage should be careful about the amount of salt they ingest.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is phosphorus-free, which makes it excellent for kidney-friendly diets. It is also good for the heart, as well, so it’s something we should all include in our diets. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols — plant compounds with antioxidant properties — that help prevent damage caused by oxidation. These compounds, along with healthy fats, also keep inflammation at bay.

Skinless Chicken Breasts

To promote general health and support your kidneys, you need high-quality sources of protein. Skinless chicken breast can fulfill this need. Some people suffering from kidney disease need to limit their protein, so they should ensure the protein they do ingest is high-quality and low in sodium and phosphorus. Removing the skin reduces the amount of these nutrients. Making your meals with fresh chicken breast is preferable, as pre-cooked versions often have additives such as salt.

Cranberries

Folk medicine practitioners have long prescribed cranberries to guard against urinary tract infection. Researchers suggest one reason this berry is so beneficial is its ability to prevent harmful bacteria like E. coli from sticking to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. When bacteria adhere to this lining, they multiply and cause an infection that can spread to the kidneys. People with kidney disease tend to be at increased risk for urinary tract infections, so cranberries are an ideal dietary choice.

Red Grapes

While all grapes are healthy, red and purple grapes are especially good for people with kidney damage because they contain flavonoids such as anthocyanin, which gives grapes their dark color and reduces the risk of blood clots and damage from free radicals. Grapes are readily available and make for a convenient, on-the-go snack.

Pineapple

People with kidney disease are often encouraged to avoid tropical fruit, but pineapple is considered safe because it is low in potassium and rich in B vitamins, manganese, fiber, and bromelain. Bromelain effectively reduces inflammation, which can cause kidney conditions to flare up. If you’re looking for a refreshing snack that supports kidney health, choose pineapple.

Bell Peppers

Low in potassium but high in many healthful nutrients, bell peppers make the list of kidney-friendly foods. Bell peppers are a great food to eat raw, or they can be diced and sauteed or roasted for use in many recipes from pasta sauces to casseroles. Bell peppers are rich in vitamins C and A, which have important antioxidant effects that support immunity and kidney health.

Apples

What they say about an apple a day definitely applies to keeping the kidneys fit. Apples have a sugar called pectin. Based on some research, pectin may help increase urination. Pectin may also lower serum creatinine, a muscle-breakdown waste product. Apples are rich in the flavonoid quercetin, too, which decreases the risk of certain kidney diseases.

Salmon

Salmon is the go-to fish when planning a healthy diet plan. It’s kidney benefits come from omega-3 fatty acids, which play a significant role in reducing inflammation in the body, and the kidney malfunction this can cause. Omega 3 fatty acids also assist in controlling blood pressure and triglycerides. High blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels increase the risk of kidney damage and heart disease. Just one 3.5-ounce serving twice a week should do it.