What to Eat on a Renal Diet

Renal failure is a serious medical condition in which the kidneys stop functioning correctly. This is often a permanent condition, and the patient must get either a kidney transplant or undergo continuing dialysis. Kidney patients, both those undergoing dialysis and those not, have dietary restrictions they must follow. If you have had kidney failure, you will need to consult with a personal dietitian to confirm what is right for you, but there are some general guidelines which apply to most people on a renal diet.

Sodium

Watch your salt. Most kidney patients need to exercise tight control over their sodium intakes. Too much sodium leads to too much fluid retention, which can be problematic for people with renal failure. Avoid processed cheese, pickled foods, smoked and cured meats and fast foods, which can contain a great deal of hidden salt. Don't add salt to your food. Use other herbs and spices to flavor your food, and use salt replacements.

Protein

Eat lean proteins. Avoid processed meat as it can not only contain too much salt, but also too much fat. Eat low-fat cuts of beef such as sirloin and chuck roast. Pork tenderloin is acceptable, as are many kinds of fish, although you should keep an eye on the amount of phosphorus in the fish. Good types of fish are cod, catfish, grouper and snapper, as well as other seafood like shrimp. Chicken and turkey without the skin are other good sources of lean protein.

Phosphorus

Control your phosphorus intake. Like calcium, phosphorus is needed for healthy bones, but too much phosphorus can be dangerous and damaging for people with renal problems. Phosphorus-rich foods are foods such as milk, ice cream, cheeses and yogurt. Organ meats, chicken livers and sardines are also high in phosphorus and should be avoided, as are many kind of beans. You can replace these things with non-dairy creamer instead of milk, cream cheese instead of cheddar, and green beans and mixed vegetables instead of pinto or red beans.

Antioxidants

Eat foods high in antioxidants. Consult with your personal dietitian or nutritionist about your own potassium, calcium and phosphorus levels, but in general a diet high in vitamins and antioxidants has a beneficial effect on the overall health of kidney patients. Grapes and eggplant protect against inflammation and heart disease. Garlic can help lower cholesterol. Cranberries protect the urinary tract. Summer squash helps the immune system.