A diabetic kidney disease diet carries all the restrictions of a diabetic diet plus elements concerning your kidney health. The first thing one must remember is that allowing your blood sugar levels to become out of control will only further the damage to your kidneys. That being said, let’s review the general guidelines for a diabetes diet.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), when on a diabetic diet you should:
Develop a meal plan. It is advisable to consult with a dietitian or nutritionist when you do this. A diabetes diet can be difficult to deal with, but with the right plan you can keep you blood sugar levels on target and avoid furthering the complications of the disease.
Eat healthily. A diet which is low in carbohydrate intake is best for a diabetic. Therefore, the best foods for a diabetic include: vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, poultry and fish.
Practice portion control. Even the healthiest of foods can cause you to gain weight if you eat too much of them. Guidelines for how to “Create Your Plate” can be found on the ADA’s website, Diabetes.org.
Eat at the same times of day, every day. It is a well-knownfact that blood glucose levels do not fluctuate as drastically if a person eats their meals and snacks at the same times during the day. In fact, this is almost as important to your diet as what foods you consume. It is recommended that a diabetic eat 3 meals per day, with two snacks inbetween. The times you plan to eat should be worked out in your diabetic meal plan.
Guidelines for a Diabetic Kidney Disease Diet
In a diabetic kidney disease diet, nutrition is very important. It is likely that your doctor will recommend a diabetic kidney disease diet to you, and the recommendations will change over time. Since your diet may limit your intake of protein, your doctor may recommend eating more simple carbohydrates to you. This, of course, may throw off your diabetic eating plan. So, it is important to talk to your doctor or dietician about how to keep the right amount of calories in your diet without causing your blood sugar levels to rise. One good source of calories that can be used in a diabetic kidney disease diet is cooking from oils like canola oils or olive oil which are low in saturated fat. Unlike hydrogenated oils, these are low in cholesterol.
As was mentioned above, in a diabetic kidney diet your protein intake will have to be controlled to prevent you kidney damage from becoming worse. You will still need protein to build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection, however, so it’s a careful balancing act. According to Kidney.org, your doctor will probably recommend that you get your protein from both of the following sources each day:
- Animal sources, such as eggs, fish, chicken, red meats, milk, and cheese.
- Plant sources, such as vegetables and grains.
Your doctor may recommend that you keep a food diary about your diabetic kidney disease diet, to help ensure you are eating the correct foods each day. You should also plan your meals to ensure that you get the right amount of:
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Fluids
- Vitamins
- Minerals
