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Therapeutic diet for kidneys
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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A kidney diet is an important condition that must be followed in case of kidney and urinary tract diseases. This is a mandatory component of complex therapy, without which recovery is impossible. A diet can enhance the positive effect of medications. It is developed for each patient individually, taking into account the anamnesis. You cannot choose a diet on your own.
General information kidney diets
The same diet, even with the same diagnosis and symptoms of the disease, may be suitable for one patient, and absolutely not suitable for another. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor, strictly follow his recommendations.
Diet to improve kidney function
Kidney function can be normalized by following a diet. Any kidney disease implies that protein metabolism is disrupted in the body. Protein creates an additional burden on the kidneys, thereby reducing their recovery potential. A person who consumes protein too intensively and too much, forms nitrogenous waste. They contribute to the pollution of the body, creating an additional burden on all internal organs. Since the kidneys are designed to utilize these substances, they suffer first. They may not cope with the processing of protein, it accumulates in the blood, which negatively affects the state of metabolic processes in general. Therefore, the main condition is to limit protein. But it should be taken into account that protein must still come with food, it cannot be completely excluded, since it is one of the main components of normal metabolism, the main structural element for building tissues and cells. If kidney function is not severely impaired, it may not be necessary to limit the consumption of protein foods.
If a person does not limit the intake of protein components, it is advisable to have fasting days. They should be done approximately once every 7 days. This implies eating the same product throughout the day. The best option would be to have fasting days based on carbohydrate foods. For example, doctors often recommend having days during which you eat only oatmeal, fruits, one type of vegetables, berries, or drink juices. You should also pay attention to the fact that you should drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water, eat about the same amount of the main product.
It is important to maintain the required level of caloric content of food. The daily requirement is 3500 kcal, it is highly not recommended to reduce this number. Fats and carbohydrates should be taken as a basis. A lower level of caloric content of food consumed should not be made, since protein will begin to break down. And this should not be allowed under any circumstances, because the main structural components are destroyed, metabolites are formed that poison the body. It is important to ensure that the diet is correct. Food should enter the body regularly, in small portions. It is better to eat at least five times a day. It is important to limit salt intake. In case of severe pathological processes occurring in the kidneys, salt will have to be excluded completely. It should be taken into account that some products initially contain salt, for example, pasta, sausages and even bakery products. If the disorders are not severe and there are no structural disorders, you can not completely exclude salt, but limit its consumption to 2-3 grams.
Kidney Diet for Children
If a child's kidneys are not functioning properly, it is necessary to reduce the amount of protein and salt in the diet. It is necessary to drink enough water, which allows maintaining optimal blood pressure and regulating blood composition. Nutrition should be complete, so protein cannot be completely excluded. It is extremely important for a child. With a lack of protein, a child develops poorly, both physically and mentally, and grows slowly. Protein is the main structural component from which the body's structures are built.
It is important to include a large amount of antioxidants in the diet, which are found in vegetables and fruits. They help reduce the amount of free radicals. This protects the kidneys, normalizes their activity, and also cleanses the entire body, saturating it with vitamins. It is also recommended to include various herbs, greens, such as basil and others, in the diet. It is recommended to season salads with vegetable oil. Sugar consumption should also be limited.
Kidney Diet Menu
The diet should be fractional, that is, you need to eat at least 5-6 times a day. It is recommended to eat mainly boiled, steamed dishes. You need to drink enough water. Salt should be limited, spices, sauces, marinades - completely excluded. You need to eat at about the same time. For example, a weekly menu is given.
Day 1
First meal
- Fried egg, pepper and tomatoes, crouton. Chicory.
Second meal
- Pumpkin dish with added butter, waffles with tea.
Third meal
- Chicken broth, mashed potatoes, boiled sausage. Compote.
Fourth meal
- Any cereal porridge, preferably milk-based. Cottage cheese charlotte. Kissel
Fifth meal
- Ciabatta with sausage and cheese, a dish of fresh vegetables. Drink.
Day 2
First meal
- Egg, cheese sandwich, cocoa or hot chocolate.
Second meal
- Milk and semolina based porridge. Cheese stuffed bun. Tea.
Third meal
- Clear broth with garnish, liver. Zrazy, salad. Grated carrots with sour cream. Uzvar or other drink.
Fourth meal
- Peppers stuffed, bread with ham. Tea drink
Fifth meal
- Baked sausage. Boiled or steamed vegetables.
Day 3
First meal
- Carrot pancakes, sauce, coffee with cream.
Second meal
- Porridge cooked with milk, butter, a pie and a drink.
Third meal
- Pea soup, crumbly rice, chicken breast. Drink
Fourth meal
- Meat product, 2 slices of black bread. compote.
Fifth meal
- Apple. Ham sandwich.
Day 4
First meal
- Semi-liquid porridge with pieces of vegetables or fruits. Cheese mass and raisins, sour cream.
Second meal
- Wheat porridge, chicken. Drink.
Third meal
- First liquid dish, cutlets baked with egg, porridge. Drink.
Fourth meal
- Fruit mousse, a piece of processed cheese.
Fifth meal
- Pumpkin and apple pudding, chicory.
[ 11 ]
Day 5
First meal
- Roast with sausage. Coffee with cream. Croutons.
Second meal
- Cold vegetable soup. Baked squid with vegetables. Tomato juice.
Third meal
- Kohlrabi in oil, beetroot cutlet. Grechaniki. Herbal decoction.
Fourth meal
- Cereals with cream. Pork schnitzel under a cheese crust. Orange fresh juice.
Fifth meal
- Borscht without dressing, eggplants stuffed with meat. Fried rutabaga. Tomato juice.
What can and what can not?
It is recommended to eat all light dishes, using gentle methods of cooking products. It is better to use steam processing, everything is of natural origin. Potatoes are also eaten. Of the flour products, black bread is better. It is recommended to prepare various purees. Eggs are allowed, sour milk products are allowed.
Poorly digestible, heavy for the stomach foods are prohibited. Dishes from legumes, mushroom dishes and mushrooms in any form will have a negative effect. Salt is completely excluded. Chocolates and sweets should also be consumed in moderation. Alcohol is completely excluded from the diet. Marinades are completely prohibited.
Reviews
When analyzing the reviews, it can be noted that positive ones prevail. The diet is quite effective, it helps to overcome the disease much faster. With minor kidney dysfunctions, minor inflammations, you can normalize the condition even without the use of drugs, but only by following a diet. With complex recovery - an inevitable component of therapy, since it is impossible to completely recover without a diet.
Inflammatory processes are significantly reduced, edemas can be eliminated, various types of metabolism can be normalized: water-electrolyte, acid. Significantly eliminates autoimmune shifts. Table No. 7 is prescribed for intensive renal damage: nephritis, glomerulonephritis. It implies control, complete exclusion of some dishes. Despite the strictness, the kidney diet is easily tolerated and allows you to significantly improve your well-being.