Because salt contributes so much to the flavor of
foods, it may be helpful to find replacements for it.
Using lemon juice or herb mixtures can add flavor
without adding sodium, however mixtures such as
garlic salt should not be used because they still have
contain a high level of sodium. Artificial salt substi-
tutes should also be avoided because these usually
contain high levels of potassium, another mineral
that people following a kidney diet need to monitor.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral found in varying amounts
in almost all foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat,
and dairy products. The body uses potassium for a
variety of important functions such as maintaining
fluid and electrolyte balance, sending nerve impulse
to muscles, and aiding in metabolic processes. When a
person’s kidneys are functioning normally they filter
out excess potassium, helping to maintain the proper
amount in the body. Without properly functioning
kidneys, patients need to control their potassium
intake.
Avoiding foods with high levels of potassium,
while maintaining a healthy diet, can be quite difficult
because many fruits and vegetables are high in potas-
sium. Oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, and car-
rots are all high in potassium. Apples, blueberries,
grapes, strawberries, lettuce, and onions are all rela-
tively low in potassium. Canned vegetables and the
juices they are usually canned are particularly high in
potassium. For patients with kidney problems who
want to eat certain high potassium vegetables, there
is one method for removing some of the potassium,
called leaching. This process varies depending on
the vegetable, but generally it involves repeatedly
rinsing and boiling the vegetable in a large amount
ofwater.Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another mineral found in many
foods. The body must maintain a proper balance of
phosphorus andcalciumin order to build and pre-
serve healthy bones. Normally, the kidneys help to
maintain this balance by removing excess phosphorus
from the bloodstream. However, patients with kidney
disease may need to take steps to maintain this balance
by watching what they eat, because their kidneys are
no longer able to do this important job. If too much
phosphorus builds up in the body it can pull calcium
out of the bones, making them weak and easily
breakable.
People following a kidney diet may be told to
avoid foods that are high in phosphorus, such as
beer, soda, cheese, milk, yogurt, oysters, beans, peas,
nuts, and many whole grain products. A renal dieti-
cian may also prescribe a phosphate binder, which can
help control the amount of phosphate that the body
absorbs.Protein
Proteins are complex organic molecules made of
amino acid chains. The body uses these chains to build
and maintain muscles, organs, and glands. When the
body breaks down protein it produces a waste product
called urea. This waste product is usually filtered out by
the kidneys and expelled from the body in urine.
Patients experiencing kidney failure must be careful
about the amount and type of protein they consume
because the kidneys are no longer doing a good job of
removing urea. If too much urea builds up in the body it
can cause serious illness. Patients must be sure to get
enough protein however, because without protein the
body is not able to perform proper muscle maintenance.
Before kidney patients begin dialysis treatments,
they are usually told to follow alow-protein diet.
However, once dialysis treatment begins, a renal die-
tician will usually tell the patient to consume large
amounts of high quality protein, otherwise known asKEY TERMS
Amino acid—Molecules that are the basic building
blocks of proteins.
Electrolyte—Ions in the body that participate in met-
abolic reactions. The major human electrolytes are
sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca 2+),
magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), phosphate
(HPO 4 2-), bicarbonate (HCO 3 -), and sulfate (SO 4 2-).
Ion—An atom or molecule that has an electric
charge. In the body ions are collectively referred
to as electrolytes.
Mineral—An inorganic substance found in the
earth that is necessary in small quantities for the
body to maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper,
iron.
Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small
amounts to remain healthy but that the body cannot
manufacture for itself and must acquire through
diet.Kidney diet