Each year, new food and nutrition trends emerge in the media or our social circles. For those with chronic conditions like kidney disease, it can be hard to understand which trends are beneficial and which may be harmful. Below, we'll help you understand which current trends might have some benefits, and which you should avoid.
Trends to try if you have kidney disease
These trends have beneficial elements and are worth trying. Incorporating an element or two from each group might help improve your overall health. However, practice moderation, and check with your own medical team if you're wondering if a change is right for you.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Many people with chronic kidney disease have chronic low-grade inflammation. Inflammation is an immune system response, and it doesn't always have clear symptoms when it's chronic in nature.
Some foods may increase inflammation in the body, but they are generally the types of foods you should limit anyway: processed foods, fried foods, sodas, and foods high in added sugars. The good news is that a healthy diet can help lower inflammation in the body.
Key components of an anti-inflammatory diet:
- Include sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Try to eat omega-3-rich fish two times a week, which includes kanpachi, tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. For extra omega-3s on a more regular basis, use extra virgin olive oil in cooking or salad dressings. Other plant-based foods that contain omega-3s include seaweed, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables. Choose options that are lower in potassium if you need to follow a potassium restriction, but try to include a few servings of produce in your diet per day for the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Eat the right amount of protein. Try to include a small portion of a protein-rich food at each meal, whether it's milk, beans, edamame, a small serving of lean meat, some tofu, or a few ounces of fish.
Fermented foods
Fermentation is a process that uses bacteria and yeast to break down the natural sugars in a food into beneficial compounds. It's a process that's been used for food preservation since ancient times.
Fermented foods may help improve gut health because they're a natural source of probiotics - the "good" bacteria. Foods that are fermented include:
- Kimchi
- Poi
- Sauerkraut
- Miso
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Certain pickles and hot sauces
Some fermented foods contain a lot of sodium, so eat them in small portions if you're not sure how much salt they contain.
Plant-based diet
A plant-based diet is a way of eating that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, grains, and plant-based proteins – nuts, seeds, beans, soy products – and limits or eliminates animal-based foods, like meats, fish, and dairy.
While more research is needed, some studies have found that plant-based diets help improve kidney function or help maintain lower phosphorus levels. Plus, eating more plants could help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease.
Eating locally
Choosing foods grown or caught in your local area supports your community and also has health benefits. Fruits and vegetables that are picked closer to home retain more vitamins and minerals because they don't spend as much time in storage or shipping, which can degrade the nutritional content of foods. Locally sourced foods usually require less or no preservatives to keep them fresh, too.
Eating locally has the added benefit of being more sustainable since your food doesn't have to travel as far. Try growing some fruits or vegetables in a garden, or swing by an open-air market to pick up some local foods.
Trends to skip if you have kidney disease
While the trends below might work for some people, they're not ideal for most individuals who need to follow a kidney diet.
Hydration drinks
Electrolyte and hydration packets are really popular right now, but most people don't need them, especially those who have a kidney issue. Hydration drinks and packets generally have a lot of extra sodium, which is a problem if your kidneys aren't filtering as well as they used to. They also might have additional sugar, caffeine, potassium, or filler ingredients added that you don't need. Unless your medical team has instructed you to drink a hydration or electrolyte drink like Pedialyte or Gatorade due to illness, skip them. Water is still the best hydration choice for most people, but it's okay to add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice or a flavor packet, such as Crystal Light, if you need it.
High protein diets
Protein is having a big moment right now, and it's being added to many unexpected foods and drinks. Companies are selling unusual products with extra protein, beyond the usual protein shakes and powders: cookies, waffles, pancakes, coffee, and even sodas.
Large amounts of protein can cause more damage to already stressed kidneys, so people with kidney disease should be extra careful not to eat a high-protein diet. Unless you're having trouble meeting your recommended protein needs, it's best to eat protein from a healthy, real food-based diet. Foods like meats, fish, beans, soy, whole grains, and milk products are rich in protein.
Charcuterie boards
A traditional charcuterie board is packed with foods that are usually high in sodium: nuts, olives, crackers, processed meats and cheeses. The meats on a charcuterie board are the kind that typically have phosphorus additives, like salami and prosciutto, and cheese contains phosphorus, too.
If you like the charcuterie concept, aim for small portions of salty or high-phosphorus foods, and sub in different foods to fill the rest of your plate. A plate could look like a handful of unsalted crackers, 2 small slices of salami, 3-4 ounces of grilled or roasted chicken, a few olives, and a sliced apple.
Bottom Line
Be cautious when trying new food trends if you have kidney disease. While some trendy foods may offer health benefits, others might include ingredients that are not suitable for you. Before making any significant dietary changes, consult your healthcare provider.
