Most of us know that eating a balanced diet
is important for good health. Now scientists have pinpointed certain foods as
super foods. In addition to promoting overall health, these are foods for
kidney health as well.
If you are on dialysis or have
chronic kidney disease (CKD), you'll be glad to know that there are lots of
super foods, containing antioxidants and other health-supporting properties,
included in the kidney diet. People with kidney disease experience more inflammation
and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without kidney
problems. If you have kidney disease, it's important that you consult a renal
dietitian and follow a kidney diet. Including super foods in your kidney diet
eating plan can help you increase your intake of nutrients and antioxidants.
Here’s a list of the top
kidney-friendly super foods. These foods are good for everyone, not just people
with kidney disease, so by using them in your family's meals, you'll be helping
your loved ones enjoy good health too.
Cauliflower
Another kidney-friendly super food is cauliflower. This cruciferous vegetable brings lots of vitamin C to your plate, along with folate and fiber. In addition it contains compounds that help your liver neutralize toxic substances.
Cauliflower can be eaten raw with dip or in salads. Steamed or boiled, it can be seasoned and turned into a great side dish. You can even mash cauliflower as a dialysis-friendly replacement for mashed potatoes.
Cabbage
Crunchy cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable
filled with phytochemicals, chemical compounds found in certain fruits and
vegetables. Phytochemicals work to break apart free radicals. Many
phytochemicals are believed to combat cancer and support cardiovascular health.
Inexpensive cabbage is a great addition to your eating plan, because it's also
high in vitamins K and C, high in fiber and a good source of vitamin B6 and
folic acid, yet it's low in potassium, so it's especially kidney-friendly.
If you're following the dialysis diet, add cabbage
by turning it into coleslaw or use as a topping for fish tacos. Other
nutritious meal options include cabbage rolls and stuffed cabbage.
Red bell peppers
Red bell peppers are a good choice for those concerned about kidney health, because they're low in potassium. In addition, they add color and taste to any dish, while packing a generous portion of vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and fiber. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects against certain types of cancer. If you're following the kidney diet, it's easy to add red bell peppers to your food plan.
Garlic
Garlic is good for reducing inflammation and
lowering cholesterol. It also has antioxidant and anti-clotting properties.
(Cooking garlic will not affect its antioxidant properties, but it will reduce
its anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.)
If you're following the dialysis diet, use
garlic powder instead of garlic salt to add extra flavor to your meals without
adding extra sodium. Garlic can be used in cooking many dishes: meat,
vegetables or tomato sauce, for instance. Once you start cooking with garlic,
you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Onion
Onion is full of flavonoids, particularly
quercetin. Flavonoids are natural chemicals that prevent the deposit of fatty
material in blood vessels and add pigmentation (color) to plants. Quercetin is
a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help reduce heart disease and
protect against many forms of cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Low in potassium, onions are not only
kidney-friendly; they also contain chromium, a mineral that assists your body
with the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Apples
An apple a day really does help keep the
doctor away! High in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, apples help reduce
cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and decrease your
risk of cancer. Renal-friendly apples can be eaten raw or cooked. Or get their
health benefits by drinking apple juice or cider.
Cranberries
Cranberries are great for preventing urinary
tract infections, because they make urine more acidic and help keep bacteria
from attaching to the inside of the bladder. They've also been shown to protect
against cancer and heart disease.
Although we think of cranberries as a holiday
side dish, cranberry juice can be enjoyed daily for added nutrition. Or toss a
handful of dried cranberries into your cereal or salad.
Blueberries
These tasty berries get their blue color from
antioxidant compounds called anthocyanidins. Blueberries get high marks for
nutrition, thanks to natural compounds that reduce inflammation and lots of
vitamin C and fiber. They also contain manganese, which contributes to healthy
bones. 
Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in two types of
antioxidants, plus they contain lots of vitamin C, manganese and fiber. They
have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and also help keep your heart
healthy.
Cherries are filled with antioxidants and
phytochemicals that protect your heart. When eaten daily, they have been shown
to reduce inflammation.
Fresh cherries make a delicious snack. Of
course, cherry pie is a popular dessert, but there's also cherry crisp, cherry
cheesecake and even cherry coffee cake. Cherry sauce makes a nice accompaniment
to lamb or pork.
Egg
whites
Did you know that egg whites are pure
protein? They provide the highest quality protein there is, along with all of
the essential amino acids. If you're on the kidney diet, it's good to note that
egg whites have less phosphorus than other protein sources, such as egg yolks
or meats. .
Fish
Another high-quality source of protein is
fish. Both the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association
recommend that you include fish in your meal plan two or three times a week.
Besides being a great source of protein, fish contains anti-inflammatory fats
called omega-3s. These healthy fats help prevent diseases, such as cancer and
heart disease. They also help lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL
(the good cholesterol).
The types of fish that have the most omega-3s
are salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and rainbow trout.
Summary
If you're concerned about the health of your
own kidneys — or somebody else's — these super foods for kidney health should
be on your grocery-shopping list. Ask a renal dietitian for help including them
in your kidney-friendly meal plan if you have chronic kidney disease. When
buying fruits and vegetables, get the freshest ones you can find and be sure to
include a variety, since some are rich in one nutrient and others are rich in
another. If you can only find fruits that are not at their peak, the flavor may
be lessened, but you'll still get good nutritional value from them for your
kidney health.
Sorce: yourkidneys.com
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