Are Summer Foods ( Fruits, Vegetables ) Good For Kidney Patients? – Dr. Puneet Dhawan.
List of summer foods for kidney patients (Fruits, Vegetables):
It is summer, the amazing time of freshness and sunshine. However, chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients often get hesitant to grab their favorite fruits and vegetables because they may not meet their dietary restrictions. Since most summer produce is mainly rich in potassium levels, kidney patients find it tough to meet the nutritional needs of various fruits and vegetables. But even in such times, there are some healthy summer outputs that can be consumed by kidney patients and dialysis patients. These fruits and vegetables will help quench their thirst to enjoy the summer while keeping their health in mind. “Summer Foods Good For Kidney Patients, Fruits, Vegetables“.
So buckle up and get ready to make smart choices. When you pick up only healthy summer foods, you are more likely to stay on your track. Most packaged food is loaded with too much salt and sodium, make sure to stay away from them. Instead, make fresh fruits and veggies, your friends!
Here are some healthy choices you can include in your kidney-friendly summer foods list:
Fruits
Blackberries: People with CKD may enjoy this fruit in moderation because they have less potassium serving.
Blueberries: Eating no more than three servings of blueberries a week can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack by one third.
Cherries: Cherries are a healthy choice for people with CKD. They are believed to have a moderate amount of potassium.
Red grapes: This fruit has vitamin C and antioxidants called flavonoids which help reduce inflammation in the kidneys.
Peaches: Canned or frozen peaches should be avoided instead have fresh peaches.
Plums: Another low potassium fruit for CKD patients. 1 medium-size plum has 0 mg of sodium, 104 mg potassium, and 11mg phosphorus.
Raspberries: Half cup serving of raspberries contains 0 mg sodium, 93 mg potassium, and only 17 mg phosphorus.
Strawberries: Strawberries are yet another tangy fruit that a kidney patient can include them in their summer fruits list.”Summer Foods Good For Kidney Patients, Fruits, Vegetables“.
Vegetables
Carrots: Use carrot in a moderate amount to change your taste bud during chronic kidney disease. It is a better potassium food choice for CKD patients in summers.
Cauliflower: It is a nutritional vegetable that is a good source of many nutrients, including vitamins C, K, and B. Use it boiled or mash it to use in place for potatoes for a low potassium source.
Cucumber: Classified as fruit, but used as a salad in a culinary world, this food can be a healthy choice for CKD patients in summers. It also helps to meet the fluid requirement of a patient because of its water content.
Eggplant: A great vegetable for kidney patient diets because it is low in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus. One cup of steamed eggplant contains too little sodium, 17 mg phosphorus, and 167 mg potassium.
Lettuce: Toss a kidney-friendly salad with lettuce and other summer veggies. “Summer Foods Good For Kidney Patients, Fruits, Vegetables“.
Onion: Onions are high in vitamin C, B, manganese, and other prebiotic fibers that boost your digestive system and still a kidney-friendly edition not for summer only but throughout the year.
Bell pepper: Loaded with an impressive amount of nutrients but low in potassium, this is the quality of this veggie.
Garlic: People with CKD are restricted to consume a limited amount of salt in their diet. Garlic is a healthy alternative to salt adding flavors to dishes while adding healthy nutrients to a kidney-friendly diet.
Cabbage: It is low in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium and a great source of vitamin K, C, and B. “Summer Foods Good For Kidney Patients, Fruits, Vegetables“.
Add spice to your summer binge
You can twist a fruit or vegetable and spin them according to your choice. Grill up a peach or freeze some berries for a refreshing snack. This will smother your summer cravings while protecting your kidney function all by at the same time.
Disclaimer
Check in with your dietician to find how these fruits and veggies can work for you. Given a particular stage of kidney disease, some things may or may not work for you. “Summer Foods Good For Kidney Patients, Fruits, Vegetables“.