By Anja Webster, RD, CDE
So you’ve been recently diagnosed with kidney disease and now you are nervous because there is a lot of information out there telling you which foods you can’t eat anymore. Doing a quick internet search can often lead to extra confusion and stress as there is a lot of misinformation being circulated. Below we bust some common nutrition myths that you may have heard or read about.
Myth # 1: I can never eat with my family again.
Eating to nourish your kidneys can be delicious for the whole family. Depending on your stage of kidney disease you may be asked to limit certain foods including meat, however; with an individualized approach you can find foods that fit within your cultural background and family eating habits. We have a wide array of delicious recipes your whole family will love that you can browse here. Some of our favourites this season include: chicken chili stew and these tofu lettuce wraps that can be fun for the whole family.’
Myth #2: I can never eat bananas or potatoes again
Many of my patients come into my office and tell me they’ve been told by friends and even some doctors that they have to avoid bananas and potatoes because of their potassium content. Your stage of kidney disease and your lab results help to guide your individualized nutrition recommendations. Many fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients including potassium.
It is now well understood that fruits and vegetables can promote kidney health. New guidelines recommend incorporating fruits and vegetables rather than restricting any particular whole, unprocessed foods. The most potassium comes from highly processed foods which contain additives. Eating whole foods and including a variety is actually a much better option for your potassium control long term .So don’t fret, you can still have mashed potatoes (check out this recipe for double boiled mashed potatoes) or even a banana on occasion . Make sure you consult with your healthcare team or dietitian to ensure you are staying on top of your own individual nutrition needs, lab values, and overall treatment plan. Everyone’s kidney health journey is different, and recommendations should always be personalized to you.
Myth #3: My diet will be bland because I can’t eat salt
It is true that nourishing your kidneys can mean lowering your intake of added salt and sodium. But this does not mean your food has to taste bland, check out these delicious spice blend recipes and try them in your favourite dishes. Use aromatics like garlic, onions, hot peppers, and ginger to add flavour to any meal.
If you’ve been told to reduce your sodium intake, consider limiting ultra processed foods like canned soups and pre-seasoned meats, look at nutrition facts tables on packaged foods for items that contain less than 10% DV of added sodium per serving. It may take some time for your taste buds to adjust to the new flavours and less salt but trust us your kidneys and heart will thank you in the long term. Taste buds can typically adjust within 2-3 weeks of trying new foods/cooking methods.
In summary, even if you have to make some changes to your current eating plan, with some easy tweaks you can continue to enjoy many of your favourite foods and even nourish your whole family while still following a kidney friendly diet.