CKD refers to Chronic Kidney Disease. It involves a slow but progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function. As kidneys perform several functions and the most important being the removal of unwanted and waste materials from the body, in case when the kidneys stop functioning optimally, these waste products begin to accumulate in the body. This leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, etc.
In CKD, a diet that provides least waste products is usually recommended. This is mainly achieved through protein restriction. However, we need to provide sufficient calories so that body does not have to face adverse effects of protein restriction. A Renal Dietician help you prepare a diet chart that provides required amount of proteins and calories.
Before following a protein restricted diet, a Renal Dietician assesses your daily intake of all nutrients. In case the protein intake is low, you will not need protein restriction. However, in case your intake is good, you be will be asked to lower it in the following ways:
Once you lower the intake of protein, you will need to compensate it by carbohydrates, hence you can prefer low protein carbohydrate sources like rice, jowar, rawa (suji), etc.
Yes, diet prescription differs at different stages of CKD. As the Stage of CKD progresses, diet intake needs to be assessed and addressed in order to help prevent accumulation of waste products. Hence, as the stage advances, diet prescription becomes restrictive. However, with regular follow up, you may be able to include several items in your food list. Hence, careful monitoring is essential to maintain good health during CKD.
Along with protein restriction, you will need to follow salt restriction, fluid restriction and potassium restriction. Let’s see why:
Salt and fluid restriction: Our kidneys help in balancing salt and water. When the kidneys are not able to work optimally, this function is affected. This leads to accumulation of water in the body which can be noticed as swelling either on feet or face. However, it is not necessary that all patients may observe this. In order to avoid this, salt and fluid both need to be restricted.
NOTE: Always ask your Nephrologist about how much fluid and salt should be consumed daily.
This diet helps you to prevent worsening conditions, for example, it is better to remain aware about fluid restriction rather than land into emergencies and then manage them.
Following this diet will help in preserving your health status and prevent you from getting malnourished. It will decrease the chances of developing further complications.
Last but not the least, this diet helps in delaying the onset of dialysis.
No, diet is not same for all patients as not all of them have same symptoms. Diet largely depends on the stage of CKD, the blood parameters, patient’s food habits and regional and religional preferences.
Apart from the above listed guidelines for protein restriction, herewith are certain more guidelines to be followed by CKD patients: