Kidney disease stages 1 and 2
Why do I need to change my eating habits in stages 1 and 2 of kidney disease?
You have minor kidney damage in stages 1 and 2 of kidney disease. This implies your kidneys can still filter wastes and extra fluids from your blood, but you have other kidney disease symptoms. A blood test (known as the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR) may reveal that your kidneys aren't filtering waste from your blood as efficiently as they should be. Your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is determined by a blood test for creatinine, a waste product in your blood. You may have protein in your urine, which is a symptom of renal illness, according to a urine (pee) test. Protein may flow into your urine when your kidneys are damaged.
​
It's critical to take action now to prevent your kidney illness from worsening. Healthy eating is one approach to do this, and you may need to alter your eating habits.
​
The food you eat has a big impact on how well you manage your kidney disease. In many circumstances, eating better helps prevent kidney disease from worsening or decrease the course of renal failure. Healthy nutrition can also help manage diabetes and high blood pressure, two of the primary causes of kidney disease, preventing the condition from worsening.
How can I eat healthy in kidney disease stages 1 and 2?
Fluids
Anything that changes to liquid at normal temperature is referred to as a fluid. It's critical to stay hydrated in stages 1 and 2 of renal disease by drinking sufficient fluid (preferably water).
​
Inquire with your doctor and nutritionist about the amount of fluid you should drink each day. If your kidney disease worsens, your doctor and dietician would advise you to decrease your fluid intake.
Examples of Fluids :
-
Water
-
Soups and stews
-
Pudding
-
Ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, popsicles, etc.
-
All beverages (tea, coffee, milk, nondairy milk, etc.)
-
Gelatin products and gelatin substitutes (pectin, arrowroot powder, etc.)
Whole Grains
Carbohydrates, or carbs for short, are your body's primary source of energy. Carbs are converted into energy by your body. When you consume too many carbohydrates, your body converts them to fat for long-term energy.
Unlike refined grains, whole grains contain nutrient-dense carbohydrates. In kidney disease stages 1 and 2, whole grains should be part of your renal-friendly food and fluid regimen. Choosing whole grains, such as whole grain pasta, over refined grains, such as white pasta, is a simple and healthy way to acquire more of the nutrients your kidneys require. Reading the nutrition label on packages is the easiest approach to figure out what type of carbs are in your meal and how many there are.
Look for foods that:
​
-
Say “made with 100% whole grains” or something similar on the package
-
Have “whole” listed as the first ingredient, like “whole wheat”
-
Have the whole grain stamp
​​
Avoid or limit foods that have:
​
-
Refined (any type of grain)
-
Enriched (any type of grain)
-
White flour
-
Degermed cornmeal
Non-starchy vegetables
Carbohydrates and calories are minimal in non-starchy veggies like broccoli and cabbage. Carbohydrates and calories are higher in starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn.
​
Vegetable carbohydrates contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and fiber. Fiber keeps you fuller for longer by allowing your body to absorb nutrients more slowly. It also protects your heart, blood vessels, and digestive tract.
​
Non-starchy vegetables are a healthy alternative to starchy vegetables for getting more of the nutrients you need to maintain your kidneys' healthy.
In kidney disease stages 1 and 2, the nutritious carbohydrates in non-starchy veggies can provide you with the energy you need to go about your everyday activities while also keeping your heart and kidneys healthy.
​
Some non-starchy vegetables, such as lettuce, are delicious when eaten raw. Instead of frying non-starchy veggies in lard or oil, consider steaming, boiling, grilling, or roasting them.
Examples of non-starchy vegetables include:
​
-
Asparagus
-
Bell Pepper
-
Broccoli
-
Red or green cabbage
-
Cauliflower
-
Celery
-
Cucumber
-
Lettuce
Lean proteins
Protein is required for muscular growth, healing, and overall health.
​
Lean proteins, which are lower in harmful fats and cholesterol, prevent fat from accumulating in your blood vessels and protect your heart and kidneys.
​
The daily recommended amount of lean protein for people with renal disease stages 1 and 2 is the same as for people without kidney disease.
​
The amount of protein you require each day is determined by your weight and level of activity.
​
For the average person:
A man who weighs 155 pounds will easily meet his protein demands with about 56 grams of protein per day.
​
A lady weighing 130 pounds will easily meet her protein needs with about 46 grams of protein per day.
Examples of lean proteins:
​
-
Whole eggs
-
Quinoa
-
Egg whites
-
Fish
-
Pork tenderloin
-
Skinless chicken - white meat is leaner than dark
-
Skinless turkey - white meat is leaner than dark
-
Soy products - tofu, edamame, tempeh, soy milk
-
Lean beef - tenderloin or ground beef labeled 90% or 93% lean
Ask your doctor and dietitian how much protein you should eat each day.
Lean protein serving size suggestions:
-
½ cup beans (7 grams of protein)
-
1 large egg (6 grams of protein)
-
3 ounces chicken, which is about the size of your palm (27 grams of protein)
-
3 ounces fish, which is about the size of your palm (20 grams of protein)
Sodium (salt)
The amount of sodium—one of two electrolytes found in salt—in foods can be found on the nutrition label. Salt serves a variety of functions in our bodies, but too much sodium can be hazardous to persons who have kidney disease. Your kidneys may be unable to eliminate excess sodium from your body if they are not functioning properly.
​
When your body has too much sodium, it retains (holds on to) fluid, making your heart and kidneys work harder. This can cause your blood pressure to rise and your renal illness to worsen over time.
The amount of salt present naturally in foods is sufficient to maintain a healthy level in your body, but sodium is frequently added to many processed foods, restaurant dishes, and even home-cooked meals. This can result in you ingesting too much salt and accumulating too much sodium in your body.
​
The amount of salt you should ingest is determined by your kidney disease stage and function. In general, a healthy amount of salt per day is 2,300 mg or less. This is approximately one teaspoon of salt each day.
Sodium is typically added to these meals and drinks (unless they are labeled as low-salt or low-sodium):
​
-
Soda and sports drinks
-
Ice Cream
-
Frozen dinners and snacks
-
Fast food and food from restaurants
-
Packaged snacks (chips, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
-
Bakery items (bread, bagels, pies, cakes, etc.)
-
Condiments (ketchup, salad dressings, hot sauce, soy sauce, etc.)
-
Canned and jarred foods (tomatoes, beans, corn, pickles, etc.)
-
Seasonings and spices with salt (garlic salt, celery salt, seasoned salt, taco seasoning, seafood seasoning, etc.)
Ask your doctor and dietitian how much salt you should eat per day in kidney disease stages 1 and 2
Tips to avoid added sodium:
​
-
Avoid salt replacements labeled "NuSalt" or "No-Salt" since they are created with potassium and may boost your potassium levels to unhealthy levels.
-
Choose canned and jarred products with the phrase "no salt added" on the label.
-
Choose snacks that don't include any salt (unsalted or no-salt pretzels, etc.)
-
To control the quantity of salt in your food, prepare and cook your meals from scratch using one of our kidney-friendly recipes.
-
Instead of salt, use fresh or dried herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your dishes.
-
Instead of sports drinks or soda, drink water.
-
If you're eating out, request that your dish be cooked without any salt.
Sugar
Excess sugar consumption can lead to undesirable weight gain and diabetes, which is the leading cause of kidney disease. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that can be found in a variety of meals, including fruits, starchy vegetables, and dairy.
​
Sugar is a substance made from sugar cane or sugar beets that have been refined or processed. Refined or processed sugar is used to sweeten processed foods and beverages. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels may rise as a result of the rapid digestion of refined and processed sugar. Blood sugar levels that are too high can aggravate the renal disease.
​
Fruit, which contains natural sugar, is a healthy alternative to sweets such as cookies, cakes, and candies. Fruit has natural sugars that sweeten it as well as fiber, which keeps you full and helps prevent blood sugar levels from rapidly rising if you have diabetes.
Sugars may be disguised in processed meals. Reading the nutrition label is the best approach to finding out if your food contains sugar.
Avoid or limit foods with these ingredients:
​
-
Agave
-
Barley malt
-
Beet sugar
-
Brown rice syrup
-
Cane juice
-
Caramel
-
Coconut sugar
-
Corn syrup
-
Fructose syrup
-
Glucose syrup
-
Honey
-
Maltodextrin
-
Pure maple syrup
-
Raw sugar
-
Rice sugar
-
High fructose corn syrup
More tips to stay healthy in stages 1 and 2
Drink plenty of water.
For added taste and diversity, add a few lemon slices or mint sprigs to a large pitcher of water.
​
Incorporate an extra daily activity into your routine.
After dinner, go for a brisk stroll or use the stairs instead of the elevator.
​
Attend all of your scheduled appointments.
Our doctor will keep an eye on your renal function and other health issues.
​
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's instructions about taking your medications.
Keeping your diabetes or high blood pressure under control is one of the best strategies to prevent your kidney disease from worsening.
​
Maintain a healthy weight.
Consult your doctor about a healthy weight range for you and how to maintain it.