Debunk 3 Diet Myths for Kidney Diseases
Table of Contents
Myth 1: Can kidney patients drink soup made from pork or chicken?
Although soup made from ingredients like pork, chicken, or ribs is delicious, people with chronic illnesses should be cautious about consuming it. The main components of meat soup are water, followed by fat, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and other substances.
Prolonged cooking can release excessive phosphorus, which is detrimental to kidney health and may lead to issues such as itchy skin, bone fractures, and cardiovascular calcification. Meat soup also contains high purines, which may cause elevated uric acid levels and the formation of gout.
For end-stage renal failure patients, symptoms such as edema and hypoalbuminemia may worsen, so it is advisable to limit the intake of meat soups, especially those made from bones. For kidney patients with high blood phosphorus, it is recommended to boil the meat in water before cooking and discard the broth to reduce phosphorus intake.
Myth 2: Can chicken essence supplement protein?
Although chicken essence may contain a small amount of essence from chicken meat, its protein content is very low and primarily found in chicken meat. The amino acids in the soup provide only a small amount of protein and are insufficient for protein supplementation.
Additionally, the sodium and potassium content in chicken essence varies depending on the brand and added ingredients, resulting in different effects. When choosing chicken essence, it is recommended to check the ingredient list, avoid excessive additives and processed ingredients, and pay attention to the sodium, phosphorus, and potassium content.
Individuals with high uric acid or impaired kidney function should be cautious about consuming chicken essence high in purines or containing monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Myth 3: Can black beans and nuts be eaten every day?
For end-stage renal failure patients or kidney patients with high blood potassium, attention should be paid to the potassium content in black beans and nuts. It is recommended to soak black beans for at least two hours before cooking to reduce the potassium content.
As for black beans and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and cashews, which belong to plant proteins, kidney patients should limit their intake and avoid excessive consumption. The portion size is advised to be within one palm size per day and should be included in the daily total protein intake plan. Kidney failure causes a build-up of waste products and toxins in the body, so it is important for kidney patients to monitor their protein intake. Too much protein can put extra strain on the kidneys and worsen the condition. It’s also important for kidney patients to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary recommendations based on their individual kidney function and overall health.
Furthermore, nuts are rich in phosphorus, and patients with impaired kidney function should consider moderate consumption to prevent hyperphosphatemia.
Recommended Daily protein Intake for Kidney Patients (Pre-dialysis):
| Stage | Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) | Recommended Protein Intake |
|---|---|---|
|
One |
>90 |
Normal |
|
Two |
60-89 |
0.8 g/kg/day (with diabetes: 0.55 – 0.6 g/kg/day)
|
|
Three |
3a: 41-59 3b: 30-40 |
0.8 g/kg/day (with diabetes: 0.55 – 0.6 g/kg/day, with ketoacidosis: 0.28 – 0.43 g/kg/day) |
|
Four |
15-29 |
To be determined based on individual needs
|
|
Five |
<15 |
To be determined based on individual needs |
Recommended Daily protein Intake for Kidney Patients (Post-dialysis):
| Dialysis Type | Recommended Protein Intake |
|---|---|
|
Hemodialysis (Blood wash) |
1 – 1.2 g/kg/day
|
|
Peritoneal dialysis (Fluid wash) |
To be determined based on individual needs |
Reference: KDOQI, Kidney Disease Foundation Guidelines 2022
