Kidney-Friendly Foods: 8 Eating Habits to Improve Kidney Health

March is National Kidney Month and NYXT is excited to be recognizing its content partner The National Kidney Foundation by sharing this list of ways to improve the health of your kidneys; organs that are often overlooked until problems arise. The National Kidney Foundation advocates cutting risks for disease with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet with kidney-friendly foods.

Your kidneys are essentially a waste disposal system; they clean your blood, create urine and balance body fluids. Maintaining good kidney health is important to help prevent kidney stones, infections, and diseases. Just ask anyone who has passed a kidney stone and they will tell you a healthy kidney is important.

Here are eight eating habits to improve and maintain your kidney health:

1. Reduce your salt intake. The sodium in table salt can cause kidney problems if you have too much. Cut down on ready-made meals or canned food which are high in sodium.

2. Eat cauliflower, it’s cool. Cauliflower has become the new trendy vegetable. Boiled, roasted or turned into rice, everyone is eating it. Make delicious cauliflower mash with roasted garlic using a recipe from Sodium Girl. 

3. Up your intake of red bell peppers. Bell peppers (red ones in particular) are high in vitamin C, A, B6, folic acid and fiber, and low in potassium - all essential for good kidney health.

4. Be merry with berries. Those with kidney problems are at a higher risk of heart disease and inflammation. Try to eat more berries which are high in antioxidants to help to protect the body. 

5. Eat more fish. It is a great source of protein and high in omega-3s, anti-inflammatory healthy fats. Luckily for you, NYC has no shortage of seafood restaurants so go exploring!

6. Drink up. Staying hydrated is key to maintaining healthy kidneys. An easy test is to check the color of your urine the next time you go to the bathroom. If it’s light colored you’re getting enough fluids; if it is dark you need to drink more. Water is best, but you can also drink tea or fruit juices. 

7. Eat mushrooms for your vitamin D. Most people are deficient in vitamin D but it is vital for kidney health as it helps regulate the organ’s functions. Add mushrooms to gravy for a quick and easy way to incorporate them into your diet. 

8. Bake, roast, stew, grill, boil or stir-fry, but don’t deep fry! Deep frying is bad for your heart and in turn can cause kidney problems, so try to avoid regularly eating deep fried food. 

Throughout National Kidney Month, NYXT will be partnering with The National Kidney Foundation to bring you fun and informational shorts. Find out more about the foundation or check out their latest videos on NYXT.nyc.