February 14, 2011 at 01:36 PM in Kidney diet

What are the best kinds of food to eat for kidney health?

What are the best kinds of food to eat for kidney health?

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test9999

Expert answer

Amy T., RD replied:

The answer to this question can vary depending on if you mean to maintain healthy kidneys or if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease and would like diet information based on your diagnosis.

For overall general health, it is recommended to follow a well balanced diet which includes all food groups. It is important to be mindful of sodium intake, as the average American consumes more than the recommended amounts of sodium on a daily basis. High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney failure and sodium intake plays a role in high blood pressure. Start reading food labels to identify how much sodium is in the foods you choose. Restaurants and fast foods are now obligated to provide the sodium content of foods. You will be surprised how much sodium you can consume when dining out.

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