Short Answer: Nuts are good for CKD in moderation, but some nuts are better than others. Because they have healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals that can benefit your kidneys and heart.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that affects your kidneys.
In CKD, your body cannot filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood properly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as high blood pressure, anemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular disease.
One of the key factors in managing CKD is diet.
What you consume can affect your electrolytes, minerals, and fluid balance, which can impact your CKD symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage CKD, you should consume protein, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium in moderation and follow the recommendations of your doctor or dietitian.
You should also consume foods rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish.
Now, nuts are edible seeds that come from various plants.
People usually eat them as snacks or add them to salads, desserts, and other dishes.
Nuts are good for CKD because they contain healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.
However, some nuts are high in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, which can be harmful for CKD if consumed in excess.
Therefore, the type and amount of nuts you eat depend on your stage of CKD and your blood test results.
One ounce (28 grams) of nuts can give you different amounts of nutrients depending on the variety.
For example, almonds provide 6 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fiber, 170 mg of potassium, 134 mg of phosphorus, and 0 mg of sodium.
Walnuts provide 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 125 mg of potassium, 98 mg of phosphorus, and 1 mg of sodium.
Cashews provide 5 grams of protein, 1 gram of fiber, 187 mg of potassium, 168 mg of phosphorus, and 3 mg of sodium.
Healthy fats can lower your cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, which can benefit your heart and kidneys.
Fiber can help regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent constipation, which can worsen CKD.
Antioxidants can protect your cells from oxidative stress and damage, which can contribute to CKD progression.
Minerals can support your bone health and nerve function, but they need to be balanced with your kidney function and medications.
Furthermore, nuts are a plant-based food and plant-based foods are good for CKD.
Because, they can lower your acid load, which can reduce the workload of your kidneys and preserve their function.
You can eat nuts in moderation as part of a CKD-friendly diet, but you need to monitor your portion sizes and choose unsalted or low-sodium varieties.
The recommended amount of nuts for CKD varies from person to person, but generally, it is about 1 to 2 ounces (28 to 56 grams) per day.
More than that can cause high potassium, phosphorus, or sodium levels, which can worsen your CKD and increase your risk of complications.
Also, you shouldn’t eat nuts if you have a nut allergy or intolerance to prevent an allergic reaction or digestive upset.
Because, these can cause inflammation and stress on your kidneys and other organs.
You can buy fresh nuts in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose raw, roasted, or dry-roasted nuts without added salt, sugar, or oil.
Because, these can increase the calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats in nuts, which can harm your health.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer.
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.