5 Foods to Avoid with Kidney Disease and Diabetes

Sugar and certain minerals, like sodium and potassium, should be limited if you have kidney disease and diabetes. Foods high in should be consumed in moderation or avoided altogether, including processed meats, fruit juice, and potatoes.

1. Sodium

Due to the negative effects of excess sodium on the kidneys, high blood pressure, and fluid retention can develop in patients with renal disease and diabetes (5Trustworthy Sources, 6Trustworthy Sources).

Meats like bacon, sausage and jerky are dried, salted, cured or smoked to improve their taste, texture and longevity.

Due to their high sodium content (from being salted), these foods should be consumed in moderation by people with renal disease and diabetes.

Avoiding processed foods like quick noodles, frozen pizza, fast food, and frozen dinners is also a good idea because of their high salt content.

2. Phosphorus

Kidney disease makes it difficult for the kidneys to eliminate excess phosphorus from the blood, whereas healthy kidneys can do so with relative ease.

Long-term exposure to elevated blood phosphorus levels is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, brittle bones, and premature mortality (7Trustworthy Source).

Phosphorus is added to dark sodas to keep them from turning colours, to extend their shelf life, and to give them more flavour. However, they have a more easily absorbed form of phosphorus than that present in diet (8 Trusted Sources, 9 Trusted Sources).

Even though they contain a lot of phosphorus, beans and lentils can be eaten in moderation if you enjoy them.

3. Potassium

High blood potassium levels can develop if the kidneys aren't working properly due to kidney disease. Fatigue, weakening in the muscles, heart issues, and even death might result if it is not addressed (13Reliable Source).

Bananas, avocados, apricots, kiwis, and oranges are all high-potassium fruits that may be harmful to those with kidney illness.

On a kidney-friendly diet, you may want to limit your intake of leafy greens like spinach, chard and beetroot greens because they contain high levels of potassium.

4. Added sugar

Fruit juices and other sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda, should be used in moderation if you have kidney disease and diabetes.

The excessive levels of sugar in these beverages can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels. This is worrisome since adequate sugar absorption in the body is impeded by diabetes (16Trustworthy Sources, 17Trustworthy Sources).

Nerve damage, renal failure, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease are all possible outcomes of chronically high blood sugar levels.

5. Alcohol

Heavy drinking has been linked to renal damage (19Trustworthy Source).

In addition, alcohol can counteract the effects of several diabetes treatments, raising the danger of side effects including low blood sugar.

If you have renal disease and diabetes, you should limit your alcohol use.

Ask your doctor about including alcohol in your diet and about safe alcohol consumption levels.