Short Answer: Coleslaw is bad for CKD. Because it has high amounts of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, and they can worsen your blood pressure, electrolytes, and bone health.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that affects your kidneys, the organs that filter waste and excess fluid from your blood.
In CKD, your kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as high blood pressure, anemia, bone disease, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure.
One of the key factors in managing CKD is diet.
What you consume can affect your electrolytes, minerals, and fluids, which can impact your CKD symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage CKD, you should consume low-sodium, low-potassium, low-phosphorus, and high-quality protein foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and tofu, and avoid high-sodium, high-potassium, high-phosphorus, and low-quality protein foods like processed meats, cheese, nuts, beans, and chocolate.
Now, coleslaw is a salad made of shredded raw cabbage and carrots, mixed with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings.
People usually eat coleslaw as a side dish or a topping for sandwiches and burgers.
Coleslaw is bad for CKD because it contains high amounts of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
1/2 cup of coleslaw can give you 134 mg of sodium (6% of your daily needs), 96 mg of potassium (2% of your daily needs), and 17 mg of phosphorus (2% of your daily needs).
Sodium can raise your blood pressure and damage your kidneys.
Potassium can cause irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness if your kidneys cannot remove it from your blood.
Phosphorus can cause bone loss and calcification of your blood vessels if your kidneys cannot balance it with calcium.
Furthermore, coleslaw is a high-carbohydrate food and carbohydrates can raise your blood sugar levels and worsen your diabetes if you have it.
Diabetes is a common cause and complication of CKD.
Because, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys and reduce their function.
That’s why I suggest you limit your coleslaw intake to avoid worsening your CKD.
Stick to 1/4 cup or less of coleslaw per day to minimize the risk of fluid retention, electrolyte imbalance, and bone disease.
Also, you shouldn’t eat coleslaw if you have high potassium levels (hyperkalemia) or high phosphorus levels (hyperphosphatemia) to prevent cardiac arrest or soft tissue calcification.
Because, coleslaw can increase your potassium and phosphorus intake and aggravate your condition.
You can buy fresh cabbage and carrots in your local market or order them online.
Always choose firm, crisp, and colorful vegetables.
Because, they have more nutrients and flavor than wilted, bruised, or pale ones.
You can store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care is key to managing CKD effectively.
I always recommend my CKD patients to follow a CKD-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.