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Nutrition and Kidney Disease

Eating well when you have kidney disease is very important to help you stay as healthy and strong  as possible.
Including the right kinds and amounts of foods each day recommended for healthy eating can help your kidneys to work more easily and keep you well for longer.

Sometimes having kidney disease can make you feel unwell. Your appetite may not be so good and food may taste different. This is because waste products produced from the foods you eat build up in the blood instead of being removed by the kidneys.

The need to make changes to your diet depends on how well your kidneys are working.

What is right for others may not be right for you

 

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by increased levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid forms crystals and builds up in bone joints. This leads to inflammation and pain.   Read more on Gout here...

Potassium   

Your last blood test showed that the potassium level in your blood was too high. This could be dangerous to your heart. 

Choosing foods low in potassium will help reduce the potassium in your blood. Foods that are high in potassium should not be eaten when your blood level is high.

 

Salt    

Sodium is a mineral found in salt and in many of the foods you eat.  Most (about 80%) of the sodium (salt) we eat comes from processed and takeaways foods.

What are the effects of eating too much sodium (salt)?

Too much sodium can: 

Read more on managing salt intake here...

More information about a Renal Diet

Purchase a Cookbook for those with kidney disease

Introducing the latest recipe book for kidney patients. This has been produced by the Christchurch Kidney Society.
 It is hoped that within this collection of recipes you will find some that fit your dietary requirements and tickle your taste-buds too. This book also includes  some general pointers to help[ you with your choices from the renal dietician at Christchurch Hospital.

The cost is $15:00 including postage

If you would like to order a book you can contact us on 0800 543639 or email info@kidneys.co.nz