A kidney patient must follow a special diet and avoid foods prohibited for kidney patients in order to prevent deterioration of his health condition and a delay in the disease.
This is what we will discuss in this article, but let us first learn about the importance of the kidneys to the human body.
The importance of the kidneys and the risk of kidney failure
The kidneys are one of the most important organs of the human body. They are similar in shape to beans, and the size of each one is approximately the size of a fist.
The importance of the kidneys lies in its main function, which is to periodically purify the body’s blood from excess fluids and eliminate it from the body through urine.
Therefore, kidney failure means that the kidneys are unable to perform this task efficiently, which leads to the retention of harmful fluids within the body.
This gradually creates other health risks, such as high blood pressure, some heart diseases, and pulmonary edema.
Kidney failure can also lead to stroke or death in the late stages.
The most important elements that pose a risk to a kidney patient
Before learning about the prohibited foods for kidney patients, it is important to know the elements that were the main reason for the patient to prevent these foods.
These elements are: sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
First: sodium
Sodium is a mineral that is found in many foods, and is mainly found in table salt (sodium chloride).
The danger of sodium intake for a kidney patient is that the kidneys are unable to get rid of the excess.
Which causes its percentage in the body to rise, causing health problems, such as: high blood pressure, shortness of breath, as well as swelling of the face, hands, or ankles.
Second: potassium
Potassium is found in vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products and meat.
Potassium is an important element for regulating muscle function in the body and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
But if its percentage is greater or less than the normal rate, it poses a danger to kidney patients.
This is because it causes complications, including heart rhythm disturbances and may lead to cardiac arrest in the late stages.
Third: Phosphorus
It is an important element for bone health.
Also, an imbalance in the proportion of phosphorus resulting from kidney failure leads to the withdrawal of calcium from the bones and its accumulation in the blood vessels.
This results in the risk of osteoporosis and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
Types of foods prohibited for kidney patients
A kidney patient must follow a healthy diet and avoid some foods that are not permitted. Examples of these foods include:
1- Some vegetables and fruits
Some types of vegetables and fruits are prohibited foods for kidney patients, including:
• Avocado
It contains a high percentage of potassium.
One avocado contains approximately 975 milligrams, which is half the recommended amount of potassium for a kidney patient.
• the banana
One large banana contains 487 milligrams of potassium, which represents a quarter of the body’s daily potassium requirement.
• Dried fruits
The concentration of potassium in dried fruits is greater than that in natural fruits.
Therefore, it is considered one of the types of foods prohibited for kidney patients.
• Orange
Oranges or orange juice are foods that contain a high percentage of potassium.
This is because a 250-gram cup of orange juice contains 441 milligrams of potassium.
• tomatoes
Tomatoes contain a high percentage of potassium.
However, perhaps in the early stages of the disease, a kidney patient may not have to completely abstain from eating tomatoes, but what is required is to limit his intake of them.
• Potatoes
An average potato contains 610 milligrams of potassium, so it is considered a prohibited food for kidney patients. Due to the high percentage of potassium it contains.
But the good news is that there is a way to reduce the amount of potassium in potatoes.
This is done by cutting it into small pieces, then boiling it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This method reduces the potassium content by approximately half.
2- Beans
Studies have shown that beans and some other legumes, such as chickpeas, are a good source of protein for those who suffer from kidney disease.
However, it is recommended to reduce the amounts consumed by kidney patients. Because it contains high levels of potassium as well as phosphorus.
One cup of cooked beans contains 251 milligrams of phosphorus, in addition to 764 milligrams of potassium.
3- Whole grains
It should be noted that whole grains contain higher percentages of potassium and phosphorus than refined grains.
Therefore, it is necessary to limit the consumption of these pills for kidney patients.
4- Oats and bran cereals
While foods and baked goods that contain oats and bran are healthy foods for many people, they are not considered healthy foods for kidney patients.
This is because it contains sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
5- Nuts and sunflower seeds
Although nuts and sunflower seeds contain high nutritional value and are an excellent choice for obtaining important nutrients, they may pose great harm to those with kidney problems.
Therefore, it is considered a prohibited food for kidney patients.
6- Processed meat
It poses a serious danger to kidney patients. It is meat that has been artificially processed to give it a strong flavor and increase its shelf life to the maximum possible period.
7- Pickles and spices
Pickles and spices contain huge amounts of sodium, so kidney patients should avoid eating them or abstain from them completely.
To clarify; A large pickle contains approximately 1,630 milligrams of sodium.
8- Dairy products
Dairy products – which come in various forms such as cheese, milk, and yogurt – are a rich source of protein and calcium.
However, it is not a recommended option for kidney patients, especially those in the late stages of the disease.
Because it contains high levels of protein, phosphorus, and potassium, which poses a danger to those patients.
- For example, one cup of milk contains:
- 390 milligrams of potassium.
- 252 milligrams of phosphorus.
- 8 milligrams of protein.
9- Potato chips and donuts
An average serving of fried potato chips contains approximately 150 milligrams of sodium and 336 milligrams of potassium.
Therefore, it is one of the harmful foods that is prohibited for kidney patients.
In the end, it should be noted that it is difficult to limit all types of prohibited foods for kidney patients in one article.
Therefore, it is necessary for a kidney patient to follow the diet recommended by his personal doctor, and to monitor his diet carefully to avoid any complications that lead to a deterioration in his health condition.
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