Top Kidney-Friendly Super Foods. . .

People with kidney disease experience more inflammation and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, it's important that you consult a renal dietitian and follow a kidney diet. Including super foods in your kidney diet eating plan can help you increase your intake of nutrients and antioxidants.

Super foods are nutrient dense, which means they offer multiple nutrients while providing minimal calories. Nutrient-dense super foods are the colors of the rainbow. They are red, orange, pink, yellow, purple and green. These are the colors of super foods such as blueberries, bell peppers, spinach, salmon, kidney beans and grapefruit. Super foods contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Even in relatively low amounts, antioxidants can help slow or stop the rate of oxidation caused by free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include flavonoids, lycopene and vitamins C, E and beta-carotene. 

Here’s a list of the top kidney-friendly super foods. These foods are good for everyone, not just people with kidney disease, so by using them in your family's meals, you'll be helping your loved ones enjoy good health too.

Apples

It really is true what they say, an apple a day really does help keep the doctor away! High in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties apples are great in reducing cholesterol, protect against heart problems, decrease your risk of cancer plus help to prevent constipation. Renal-friendly apples can be eaten raw or cooked. Or get their health benefits by drinking apple juice or cider.

Berries

Cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries are wonderful rich in a variety of kidney-friendly nutrients from improving bladder and heart health to containing anti-cancer properties and reducing inflammation. So go, go berry-crazy and start introducing them to your morning cereal or add them to a kidney-friendly smoothie!

Cabbage 

Cabbage is a wonderful vegetable and should be frequently added to any diet! Bursting with delightful goodness including Vitamin B6, C and K, great as a source of fiber and folic acid plus is low in potassium to keep your kidneys happy.

If you're following the dialysis diet, add cabbage by turning it into coleslaw or use as a topping for fish tacos. Cabbage can be boiled, steamed or microwaved and then enjoyed with a touch of butter or cream cheese and a sprinkling of pepper or caraway seeds. Other nutritious meal options include cabbage rolls and stuffed cabbage.

Cauliflower 

Cauliflower has a high concentration of vitamin C as well as fiber and folate. It also helps the liver to neutralize toxins in the body.

Cauliflower can be eaten raw with dip or in salads. Steamed or boiled, it can be seasoned and turned into a great side dish. You can even mash cauliflower as a dialysis-friendly replacement for mashed potatoes.

Cherries

Cherries are filled with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect your heart. When eaten daily, they have been shown to reduce inflammation. 

Fresh cherries make a delicious snack. Of course, cherry pie is a popular dessert, but there's also cherry crisp, cherry cheesecake and even cherry coffee cake. Cherry sauce makes a nice accompaniment to lamb or pork.

Egg whites 

Did you know that eggs whites are a pure source of protein, offering the highest quality there is? This added to the fact they are rich in essential amino acids make them a great food choice for those with kidney problems, especially since egg whites contain less phosphorus than other protein sources.

Fish

Another high-quality source of protein is fish. Besides being a great source of protein, fish contains anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s. These healthy fats help prevent diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. They also help lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol).

The types of fish that have the most omega-3s are salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and rainbow trout.

Garlic 

Great for reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol with additional benefits of being high in antioxidants and anti-clotting properties. (Cooking garlic will not affect its antioxidant properties, but it will reduce its anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.)

Olive Oil 

You may not know this but studies show people that use olive oil instead of other types of oils have lower rates of cancer and heart disease. Olive oil is high in polyphenols, antioxidants (especially extra virgin olive oil) and oleic acid – the latter of is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid which protects against oxidation.

Use virgin or extra virgin olive oil – they're higher in antioxidants. Olive oil can be used in cooking or to make salad dressing, as a dip for bread and as a marinade for vegetables. 

Onions 

Onions are a great choice to add flavour to many dishes and they’re healthy too! They are a powerful source of antioxidants due to containing flavonoids, particularly quercetin for reduced heart disease and known to protect against various forms of cancer. Low in potassium, onions are not only kidney-friendly; they also contain chromium, a mineral that assists your body with the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. 

Red bell peppers

Red bell peppers are a good choice for those concerned about kidney health, because they're low in potassium. In addition, they add color and taste to any dish, while packing a generous portion of vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and fiber. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects against certain types of cancer.

Red grapes

These are good for your heart, because they prevent oxidation and reduce the chance of blood clots. One flavonoid in grapes, resveratrol, may boost production of nitric oxide, which increases muscle relaxation in blood vessels for better blood flow. Flavonoids also help protect you from cancer and prevent inflammation. 

Summary

If you're concerned about the health of your own kidneys — or somebody else's — these super foods for kidney health should be on your grocery-shopping list. Ask a renal dietitian for help including them in your kidney-friendly meal plan if you have chronic kidney disease. When buying fruits and vegetables, get the freshest ones you can find and be sure to include a variety, since some are rich in one nutrient and others are rich in another. If you can only find fruits that are not at their peak, the flavor may be lessened, but you'll still get good nutritional value from them for your kidney health.