Are you diagnosed with kidney disease? Then taking help of a renal dietitian could be the right decision for you. A renal dietitian can help patients with kidney disease on how to eat the right nutritious foods and reduce the filtering load on your kidneys, to prevent further worsening of the disease. But before heading into the benefits of hiring a renal dietitian and understanding the role of a renal dietitian, let’s first understand how eating a wrong diet can worsen the condition of your already weak kidneys.
How diet impact the functioning of kidneys?
The major function of a human kidney is to filter waste materials from the foods we eat. When the condition of kidneys weakens, it becomes mandatory to change the diet plan to reduce the load and prevent further damage. Eating a carbohydrates rich diet can increase glucose level in your blood and more of protein which can put immense filtering pressure on your kidneys. So picking the right foods become essential in order to maintain a normal kidney function. Kidneys help in filtering excess fluids, impurities and filtering waste products from our blood, which is later removed from our body as urine. Plus, kidneys help in regulating sodium, pH and salt levels in our blood and produce hormones that regulates blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells.
Who is a renal dietitian?
A renal dietitian plays a major role in the treatment of kidney ailment. He/she is a registered healthcare professional who decides what you should eat and what you should avoid, to maintain the health of your kidneys. They are trained and certified professionals who often come with few years of experience in the field of renal nutrition. They know exactly what foods affect your body and help you eat the good nutritious food which can manage kidney issues.
Benefits of hiring a Renal Dietitian:
Individualized meal plan
There are different types of kidney diseases – diabetes, kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, urinary tract infections and more. And whatever the type of kidney issue you are facing, you definitely require a customized diet plan that include foods that are great for the specific ailment, suits your lifestyle and food preferences. A renal dietitian will take into account of your various test results, state of your kidney, food allergies and activity level, and plan a diet chart that can improve the health of your kidneys. They will help you pick kidney-friendly grains, fruits & vegetables, meat and more, which helps to reduce waste build up in your blood, preventing from developing other health issues.
Lifestyle changes
Every kidney patient has a different lifestyle and depending on their level of activity a renal dietitian suggest a diet plan. When it comes to stay healthy, a kidney patient must maintain some level of activity. A renal dietitian would suggest the right exercise plan in terms of choosing the right fitness plan, duration, intensity of workout, and make other necessary lifestyle changes, to help you remain fit and healthy. In case, a person is overweight, he/she will help you work on weight management and if a person has high blood glucose he/she will guide on how to bring down the blood sugar level.
Addresses nutritional concerns
Few foods and drinks can slow down further kidney issues. Some foods are definitely better than others for your kidneys. Salt and sodium can cause havoc on your kidneys. It’s always advisable to cook your food at home and reduce the chances of intakes which can be harmful for your kidneys. A renal dietitian can help you choose the right foods – while taking packed foods look for low sodium or salt free, help you choose the right mix of animal-based and plant-based proteins, foods for a healthy heart such as beans, fish, fruits, poultry without skin, & low-fat milk, low phosphorus foods – rice milk, carrots, pasta, & apples and what amount of waters to drink. They will look into every meal you eat so that your body gets enough nutrition without affecting the kidneys.
Renal dietitians often work with dialysis patients to help them with their diet. However, people with other kidney problems can also take the benefit of hiring a renal dietitian, to stay more informed about the best diet for kidneys and prolong its health.
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