Your health and wellness start with what you eat. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining health. The same goes for kidney health.
Kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body healthy by filtering waste, balancing electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones.
But when your diet is poor, your kidneys take the brunt of the damage. Certain foods, when consumed in excess, can lead to kidney diseases.
Avoiding certain foods can help your kidneys stay in good shape. Here is a list of five foods that can seriously harm your kidneys.
1. Soda
If you are someone who loves to grab a fizzy drink on the go, it’s time to rework your choice of beverages. Though sodas may give you a feeling of refreshment, it is one of the potent culprits behind kidney disease. Both regular and diet sodas contain high levels of phosphoric acid, artificial sweeteners, and added sugars. Excess phosphorus can strain your kidneys, especially if you already have compromised function. They are calorie-dense, which may lead to weight gain. Studies have shown that sodas can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and dental problems. Swap sodas with water, unsweetened herbal teas, or coconut water.
2. Processed meats
Yeah, you may have developed a taste for deli meats. But if you care about your overall health, especially the kidneys, it’s time to remove processed meats from your diet. They may be convenient and help you put together a meal in a matter of minutes, but all these come at the cost of your health. Bacon, ham, sausage, and other deli meats are also loaded with sodium and preservatives like nitrates and phosphates. Too much sodium also leads to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for kidney damage. In addition, processed meats are often high in saturated fat, which contributes to cardiovascular issues, another condition closely tied to kidney health.
3. Butter
It’s true. Butter makes everything taste better. From the bread to the juicy grilled chicken, butter enhances the taste of almost every food. But it is made from animal fat and is high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, conditions that are closely associated with kidney disease. Over time, excessive intake of saturated fat can lead to plaque buildup in the blood vessels, including those that supply your kidneys. Swap the butter with heart-healthy alternatives like olive oil, avocado, or plant-based spreads when cooking or baking.
4. Mayonnaise
No matter how tempting it is to reach for the creamy and delicious mayonnaise, it poses a major risk to your kidneys and heart. It is high in saturated fat and calorie-dense.
One tablespoon of mayonnaise contains a whopping 103 calories! Over time, eating mayonnaise can lead to weight gain and poor cardiovascular health, both of which can accelerate kidney function decline. Even the low-calorie, fat-free options available in the market are problematic, as they are high in sodium and sugar. Instead of mayonnaise, choose Greek yogurt or hummus.
5. Frozen meals
Yes, they are convenient, but most frozen meals are packed with preservatives, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Frozen meals are loaded with sodium to enhance taste. High sodium levels not only raise blood pressure but also force your kidneys to work harder to filter out the excess. Instead of eating store-bought frozen meals, eat clean and fresh home-cooked meals.
