Recommended Foods for Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Specific dietary arrangements depends on patient's personalized illness condition. Proper diet can help slow down the progression of kidney disease and even reverse the problem. What diet should a Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patient follow?

Protein
Eating more protein than you need is taxing on your kidneys because they help remove excess protein from your body. Try to reduce the amount you eat by limiting your portion sizes and choosing lower-protein options such as chicken drumsticks, egg substitute or tofu instead of chicken breast, tuna or ground beef.

Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus
Too much sodium can cause swelling and raise your blood pressure, which can further damage your kidneys. You should limit your sodium intake by reducing the amount of processed salty foods you eat such as fast food, frozen meals, canned soups and vegetables, lunch meats and cheese.

Additionally, when your kidneys are damaged, your potassium level may be too high or low. Too much or too little potassium can cause muscle weakness and cramps, and irregular heartbeat. Reduce your potassium intake by selecting low-potassium produce, such as apples, carrots, green beans and berries, instead of high-potassium foods such as bananas and potatoes.

When your kidneys are not working well, phosphorus can build up in your blood, causing weak bones that can break easily. You should reduce your phosphorus intake by limiting dairy, cola, beans, nuts and processed meats.

Your tastes may change when you develop kidney disease and as such, you may need to work with a nutritionist to find ways to get the calories you need to maintain your weight. As your kidneys have more difficulty removing extra water from your body, you may need to reduce your fluid intake. For more information about the best diet for your disease, please email us at khkpcn@hotmail.com.