If you have early stage kidney disease, there are things you can do to slow down its progress. Because kidneys are involved in metabolizing food, these eating tips will help keep your kidneys healthy:

• Choose smaller portions of meats. Limit your meat intake to less than 5-6 ounces for men, less than 3-4 ounces for women.
• Limit your dairy products to 1/2 cup a day, including milk, yogurt, ice cream and frozen yogurt.
• Have only 1 ounce of cheese or 1/4 cup of cottage cheese a day.
• Avoid foods that are high in phosphorus such as beer, chocolate, cola soft drinks, nuts and peanut butter, dried peas and beans, bran and bran cereals and some whole grains. One serving of a higher-phosphorus food a day is OK.

March is National Kidney Month, so take this opportunity to make some changes in your diet that will benefit you - and your kidneys.

Related information: Complications - Kidney | Lifestyle - Diet

Source:  O'Connell B. Eating right for healthy kidneys. Diabetes Self-Management, January/February 2002, pages 39-45.