Sodium in Kidney Disease
Sodium in Kidney Disease
Why is limiting sodium important for people with Kidney Disease?
Salt plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure in the body. If you take too much salt and have diseased kidneys, they may be unable to remove water from the body, which can lead to high blood pressure and further kidney damage.
Sodium is one of the most used minerals in food and drinks. Unfortunately, there is an excess of sodium in convenience foods & drinks today. When ingesting food and beverages with excess sodium; packaged/canned foods, soft drinks, sauces, desserts, etc. you can easily go over the recommended daily allowance for sodium intake. It is important for patients with kidney issues to learn how to reduce or even eliminate salt from their diet and typically should not have more than 1500mg of sodium per day.
Some ways to improve sodium intake:
| What to avoid | Kidney Friendly Options |
|---|---|
Table Salt | Herb Mixtures |
Vegetable and Fruit Juices | Low Sodium Juices or Homemade Juice |
Soft Drinks | Infused Water or Seltzer Water |
Processed Meats (bacon, sausage, ham, pepperoni, deli meats) | Turkey, Chicken, Roast Beef |
Canned Meats (Fish, Soups, Vegetables) | Homemade Soups, Fresh Vegetables |
Frozen Meals | Homemade meals (portion and freeze them for convenience throughout the week) |
Regular Cereal | Low Sodium and Low Phosphorus Cereals (Look for a daily value at or under 10% |
Sauces (Soy Sauce, Ketchup, Salad Dressings, etc.) | Low Sodium options or alternatives (like coconut aminos) |
Store Bought Bread | Lower Sodium Breads or Homemade Bread |
Processed Cheeses | Low Sodium Cheeses (Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Cottage Cheese, emmental, Monterey Jack, etc.) |
Disclaimer: The UCLA Health System cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information. The information is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please speak to your Physician before making any changes