Diet for the Patients with Diabetic and Kidney Disease

It is so important for the patients with diabetes and kidney disease to have a proper diet. A traditional diabetic diet focuses on lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. A kidney disease diet can often call for less protein to promote higher kidney function and more complex carbohydrates, as well as healthy fats. Avoidance of simple carbohydrate foods like processed pastas, sweets and simple sugar, like that found in soda, is key to a healthy diet for diabetics as well as those suffering from chronic kidney disease or failure. You must find a balance between the two to achieve the optimal diet that helps control both diseases. The following is that the patients need to pay attention to.

Sodium

Although sodium is necessary for your body to function properly, it can build up when kidneys start to fail. Excess sodium in the body can cause fluid to accumulate in the tissues. This is called edema. Edema usually occurs in the face, hands and lower extremities.

A low sodium diet is usually the first line of defense when kidney function starts to decrease. Limit high sodium foods such as bacon and ham; cold cuts; bottled sauces (soy, barbecue sauce); bouillon cubes; canned, dehydrated or instant soup; canned vegetables; cheese; crackers; nuts; olives; pickles; potato chips; processed convenience foods; sauerkraut; and (of course) table salt.

Potassium

Potassium is an important mineral for muscle and heart function. When kidneys can't filter out potassium, too much could be circulating in your blood. An excess of potassium can be very dangerous because it can cause irregular heart rhythm, which could become severe enough to cause your heart to stop working. Restricting high potassium foods can help prevent this from happening.

Regular blood tests to monitor potassium levels can also alert your doctor to potential problems.

Some high potassium foods are apricots; baked beans; bananas; beets; broccoli; cantaloupe; chocolate; collard and other greens; molasses; mushrooms; nuts; oranges; peanut butter; potatoes; dried fruit; raisins; salt substitute; and tomatoes.

Phosphorus

When kidneys start to fail, phosphorus can start to build up in your body. This causes an imbalance with calcium, which forces the body to use calcium from the bones. It's important to keep phosphorus levels as close to normal as possible to prevent bones from weakening. Reducing the amount of high phosphorus foods that you eat is one way to keep phosphorus levels down.

Try to limit or avoid high phosphorus foods such as beer; bran cereals; caramels; cheese; cocoa; cola; dried beans; ice cream; liver; milk and milk products; nuts; peanut butter; and sardines.

In conclusion, in order to control your disease better, you need to keep an eye on your diet. The best method is that consult your doctor according to your individual condition. Besides, proper treatment is necessary for you.