When a person is fit and fine, he can try any food item on the planet. For him, every day is a new way to explore and try and please the taste buds. For a person with CKD, only he knows how difficult it is to decide what to eat and what to avoid. In special cases like any organ impairment, it is necessary to seek professional guidance to help you understand the composition of food and its effect on the body. Sometimes a food, which works for others, may cause a lot of problems for people with chronic diseases.

Here are some common wonder foods that are known for their excellent nutritional properties and health benefits but can lead to serious complications if not taken in recommended quantities for people with chronic kidney disease.

1. Almond

Famous for its nutritional value, has good amount of Vitamin E, copper, magnesium, and high quality protein. Is a good anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Why Not – it is a high source of Potassium and phosphorus. Even consumption of 20 gm (5-6) of Almonds can give 150 mg of potassium and 100 mg of phosphorus.

2. Dates

Famous for – It helps improves hemoglobin, good source of iron, B complex vitamins and minerals. It is a good laxative and helps relieve constipation.

Apart from high sugar, like other dry fruits, it is high in potassium and phosphorus, which make it necessary to be restricted for people with impaired kidney functions.

3. Sattu

Famous for – It can be called a complete meal. It is healthy summer drink. Very good source of protein and calorie-dense food. It provides approx. 22 gm of protein per 100 gm. It is a wonder food for diabetics due to its low Glycaemic index. It can we used as drink, litti, as stuffing for parathas, or used as Peda or ladoos.

Why Not – As derived from roasted Chickpeas, it is very high in Potassium.

If you are taking it occasionally, skip any dal preparation for the entire day. Learn to compensate it somewhere else.

4. Green Leafy Vegetables

Famous for – very good source of vitamin A.D E and K, as well as several B vitamins. They are rich sources of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. They are a very good source of fibre. They help relieve constipation and work as a super food for diabetics and people with fissures.

Why Not – when cooked are reduced to a very small quantity which make them even more rich in potassium. One bowl of cooked green leafy vegetables provide approximately 800 mg of potassium. If you would like to consume, leaching of vegetables can reduce 50-60% of potassium.

5. Soyabean

Why Not – very rich source of potassium and phosphorus. It gives 690 mg of phosphorus and 1500 mg of potassium approximately per 100 grams.

6. Wheat Grass

Why Not – 30 grams of wheat grass contains around 820 mg of potassium. That is more than 50% of the prescribed daily potassium intake for those on dialysis.

7. Avocado

Why Not – The potassium content of the fruit is 485 mg per 100 grams. If you want to have it for its other health benefits, restrict other potassium source in diet the whole day.

Before consuming any food item, kindly know about its nutritional content and consult your dietician before starting a new herb, food product. Normal healthy people can have anything but a person with CKD needs to be monitored.