Worst foods for kidneys that seem harmless and normal in our meals, but with the passage of time, they can stress the kidneys and lead to many issues like high blood pressure , kidney stones, or even kidney failure. Kidneys may be small, but they do important work such as filtering waste, balancing fluids and helping control blood pressure. Almost everyone focuses on heart and liver health, but unfortunately no one cares about kidney health. That is why the number of kidney patients is increasing every everyday.
Worst food for kidney
Here are 7 of the worst foods that can slowly damage kidney health and some better alternatives that offer nutrition.
Red Meat
Although protein is essential, overeating, especially red meat like mutton, can increase the production of waste like urea and creatinine. Then kidneys have to work overtime to filter these , which may worsen kidney health over time. Instead of red meat, you can use rajma, chana, paneer, moong dal and curd to get protein without harming kidneys.
Processed and package foods
Processed and packaged foods like instant noodles, chips, frozen snacks and ready-to-eat curry are packed with sodium, oreservatives and unhealthy fats. These not only increase blood pressure but also cause chronic kidney disease if you eat them often. Freshly cooked meals and homemade snacks like roasted chana,poha and baked makhanas are better alternatives to processed and packaged food.
Deep fried snacks
Deep-fried snacks , high in trans fats, often lead to inflammation, obesity and blood pressure problems , all of which end up in chronic kidney diseases. Deep-fried street food snacks sold in plastic wraps are especially problematic. For steamed or grilled snacks , use an air fryer or opt for homemade versions with less oil.
Soft drinks and colas
Most soft drinks are made from sugars and phosphates, which can advance the risk of kidney stones. It also affects calcium metabolism and increases the burden on kidneys unnecessarily. The phosphoric acid in colas is especially harmful for kidneys. Instead of soft drinks and colas use nimbu pani, coconut water, aam panna and fresh fruit juices.
Excess dairy products
Dairy provides calcium and protein to our body, but taking excessive amounts can increase calcium levels and may cause kidney stones. Use low-fat curd, toned milk and plant-based milk for protein and calcium along with green leafy vegetables such as spinach.
Too much salt
High sodium consumption is a key factor in high blood pressure, and over time it puts serious stress on the kidneys. Most people consume more than 5 grams of salt per day through pickles, papads, and even home-cooked food. Use Herb like cumin, coriander , lemon juiceand rock salt to add flavor in food without high level sodium.
Too much sugar
Excessive intake of sugar is a key factor in causing diabetes, and diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease. Even traditional sweets like gulab jamun and halwa can lead to diabetes if we eat them frequently. Dates and fruits like mangoes, chikoo and bananas are better alternatives.
