You are what you eat. This logic greatly applies when looking forward to joining a program for kidney diet Memorial Hermann in Cypress to address your dietary concerns after getting diagnosed with kidney disease. The best part about booking your appointment with the Houston Kidney Specialists Center is that you get a basic guide from a renal dietician to get a meal plan that will not put your kidney health at risk. As you ponder when to book your appointment, here are some essential things to know about renal diet.
Why do you need a renal diet plan?
Anything you eat affects your kidney health. Any renal dietician will advise you to take a balanced diet free of salt and fat to keep your blood pressure in control. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and kidney disease, keeping your blood sugar in control is equally important. When both factors are combined, it is implausible for your kidney disease to go from bad to worse.
The primary goal of having a renal diet plan is to prevent your kidneys from overworking. Overwhelming your kidneys with high salt and calorie intake can lead to damage. But, if you stick to a renal-compliant diet, you have every chance of redeeming your kidneys’ functions.
Renal diet basics- What to expect when seeing a dietician
A renal-friendly diet is all about assessing how much nutrients your body ingests. The nutrients include fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and calories. For each meal you plan to take, calculate the number of nutrients your body will be receiving. Focus on the following nutrition facts:
- Calories
Calories energize your body. They can be found in foods rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. Your age, gender, physical state, and BMI dictate the number of calories you should get. One person might need more calories, while another will need lower amounts. Now that you have a kidney condition, working with your renal dietician to design a suitable meal plan will be a good idea.
- Proteins
Proteins are body-building blocks that your body needs to stay healthy. Eating low amounts of protein might weaken the growth of your hair, nails, and skin. Ironically, too much protein is toxic. Like calories, the amount of protein your body can utilize depends on your BMI, physical activity level, and current health. A dietician can calculate how much proteins you need in a day to help you manage your kidney health.
- Carbohydrates
Fruits and vegetables are rich in healthy carbohydrates, while carbonated drinks, processed foods, and sugar contain unhealthy carbohydrates. While resisting the temptation to indulge in the latter might be overwhelming, your renal dietary restrictions might not advocate for the same. To be on the safer side, work with your renal dietician to determine which carbohydrates are good for kidney health management.
What you eat justifies how your kidney health will respond. Please stick to your renal dietician’s instructions if you want to enjoy a healthier life after getting diagnosed with a kidney condition. To learn more about the kidney diet, schedule a consultation with your nephrologist today.
