How to Arrange the Diet of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diet plays an essential role in treating Diabetic Nephropathy. A proper diet can help patients maintain good nutritional status as well as slow the progression of kidney disease. Then how to arrange the diet of Diabetic Nephropathy? The following are some useful advice for you.

Firstly, Diabetic Nephropathy patients need to pay attention to the carbohydrate supply.
Carbohydrate is not only the main energy source, but also has great influence on the blood sugar levels. Patients may spread carbohydrate intake into smaller meals and snacks. Breads and grains, fruit, milk, starchy vegetables and so on are major sources of carbohydrate.

Secondly, Diabetic Nephropathy patients should limit the intake of sodium. The recommended daily sodium intake is less than 1,500mg/day. Patients can choose foods including fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables and meats. Limit or avoid processed, canned foods. In general, low-sodium foods refers to those have less than 5% the daily value for sodium.

Thirdly, Diabetic Nephropathy patients had better modulate protein intake. In the early stage of kidney disease, you should limit the intake of protein. However, if the blood sugar can not controlled well, the protein turnover gets accelerated, so you need to increase the protein intake.
Fourthly, Diabetic Nephropathy patients must restrict the intake of potassium. Since the renal function is damaged, potassium will build up in the blood. High potassium can influence heart rhythm. Therefore, you must limit or avoid eating high-potassium foods such as bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, oranges, avocado, cooked broccoli, potatoes, spinach, vegetable juice and tomato products, etc.

Finally, Diabetic Nephropathy patients have to limit phosphorus. Due to declined renal function, phosphorus may build up in the blood, making bones more brittle and leading to itchy skin and bone and joint pain. you can reduce the intake of foods with added phosphorus. Other high-phosphorus foods include bran, oatmeal and colas.