Ten Super Foods For Your Kidneys

Kidneys are a vital part of the body because they have many jobs within your body to keep you healthy, including regulating water and removing waste. When you don’t take care of your kidneys, it can lead to decreased kidney function causing a range of problems such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramping. With the right ingredients, you can do a kidney cleanse at home to try and improve your kidney function. Learn more about the best foods for a healthy kidney so you can start incorporating more in your diet.

Strawberries

Strawberries are an amazing type of food to help improve kidney function because they are rich in vitamin C, manganese and fiber. They also contain anthocyanins, which give the strawberries their color and are antioxidants that work to protect the body cell structures. Just a half a cup of fresh strawberries contains one milligram of sodium, 13mg phosphorus and 120 mg of potassium. Eat them raw, add them to your cereal or make a smoothie to add them to your daily diet.

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains anti-inflammatory properties called polyphenols and oleic acid. This kind of oil is also very high in monounsaturated fats, which are the good fats you want to consume. Adding olive oil to your diet can not only improve your kidney health and protect them, but it can also reduce the rates of heart disease and cancer. Olive oil is a good thing to have if you’re following a one-kidney diet plan because it gives you the healthy fats you need.

Cauliflower is considered a kidney-friendly vegetable and is high in vitamin C, fiber and folate. Eating cauliflower can help your body fight off certain toxins and is rich in sulforaphane and choline. Cauliflower is also a great substitute for eating carbohydrates because there are many things you can make with them. One cup of cauliflower contains 176 mg of potassium, 19 mg of sodium and 40 mg of phosphorus.

Egg Whites

Egg whites should be part of every healthy kidney diet, especially if you’re following a renal diet, because they contain little potassium but provide a good amount of protein. Two large white eggs contain 108 mg of potassium, 110 mg of sodium and 10 mg of phosphorus. Egg whites have essential amino acids which are helpful for individuals with chronic kidney disease. These amino acids help improve energy levels and build muscle.

Red Peppers

Red bell peppers should be included in a diet to improve kidney function because they are low in potassium, high in vitamin C and vitamin A and are a good source of fiber, folic acid and vitamin B. A half cup of red peppers contains one milligram of sodium, 10 mg of phosphorus and 88 mg of potassium. Red peppers also contain lycopene which is an antioxidant that works to prevent certain kinds of cancer.

Apples are considered to be good kidney foods because they offer a lot of great things including pectin, which lowers cholesterol and glucose levels. Apples can prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Other benefits of adding apples to your diet is that they can be good in aiding in weight loss, may reduce the risk of heart disease and type two diabetes and can increase your brain health. If you want to know how to cleanse the kidneys, you can consume apples to help flush them out.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C and can reduce inflammation. They also contain manganese which is known to keep bones healthy. Blueberries are a food to improve kidney function because they’re loaded with antioxidants. They are considered to be a fruit that has the highest level of antioxidants among other vegetables and fruits. Blueberries also may reduce blood pressure, heart disease, improve memory and can help fight urinary tract infections.

This leafy green vegetable is packed with high amounts of calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A and contain flavonoids and carotenoids with provide anti-cancer benefits. Kale is among the top good kidney foods because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some ideas for cooking kale include sautéing in olive oil and garlic, coating with oil and baking to make kale chips and sautéing kale and adding it to pasta.

Spinach

Spinach is food for improving immune health and helping to protect your vision. It’s also a really good source of vitamins A, C and K and also contains a good amount of folate. Spinach also helps improve your iron and calcium intake. Although, spinach is a kidney failure food to avoid because they contain too much potassium, making it impossible for your kidneys to remove the excess from your body.

Cabbage

Cabbage is considered a cruciferous vegetable and is loaded with phytochemicals which break up the free radicals because they cause harm to your body. It’s also high in folic acid, vitamins K, C and B6 and is low in potassium, making t one of the top foods that heal kidneys. A half a cup of green cabbage contains only 60 mg of potassium, 9 mg of phosphorus and 6 mg of sodium.