I normally don’t write about health, especially tips or advice, as I believe health related tips should come from doctors. So this is not an educational piece, nor is it advice. Finding information about managing Kidney disease with Diet and Exercise became an important topic for me, when a dear one was affected. This post is a mix between personal experience and compilation of my research for a friend.
A close friend’s husband was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. He is a healthy chap; however, there was a history of kidney disease in his family. For my friend, it was an enormous shock. She was devastated and clueless about where to start and how.
As close friends, we became her support system. We rallied behind her with any support that we could give. I did some research to identify helpful resources that could help her in the long run. It was wonderful to find a helpful platform like Wetogether.care that had a lot of helpful information and expert discussions. It is more like a social media platform for chronic patients.
As I read more about kidney disease and ways to manage it, I realized that though there isn’t a cure for kidney diseases, depending on the stage that you are in, you could manage the disease to a large extent with diet and exercise.
Kidney Disease and Exercise
In most stages, the kidney patient health is managed better with light exercises. Always consult a doctor before starting any exercise regime, as your doctor is the best person to guide you. Based on your condition, the doctor might give you an exercise plan. Mostly light exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, yoga to a certain extent are allowed.
Exercise for 30 minutes a day, for minimum 3 days a week will help manage kidney disease better. However it is important to not exert yourself and stop when you feel tired or experience cramps.
These exercises help in better control of blood pressure, improve muscle strength, lower blood fats and manage weight. For Kidney patients on dialysis, exercises might also improve dialysis efficiency.
I even found a helpful video that was useful for my friend as her husband is Stage 1 Kidney disease patient.
Kidney Disease and Diet
Renal Diet or kidney disease diet is something that is specially designed for kidney patients. Depending on the kidney functioning, the dietitian recommends reduction in the intake of salt, fluid and proteins. According to reports, people with kidney disease should get about 0.8 to 1 gram of protein in their daily diet for each kilogram of normal weight.
In general, these are the foods that a patient with kidney disease can include in his/her diet.
- Bell Peppers
- Onion
- Garlic
- Blueberries
- Red grapes
- Egg whites
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Olive Oil
- Fish
Food to avoid while managing kidney diseases include
- Whole wheat bread
- Canned food
- Soda
- Brown Rice
- Dairy products
- Canned juices
- Processed meat
- Tomatoes
- Avacados
- Bananas
These are some basic ways in which you can manage kidney disease with diet and exercise. Many times, the patient and his family are overwhelmed with new information and lifestyle changes they need to make. Helping them with small information bits, connecting them to similar patients or caregivers can be a big emotional support.
Getting tested regularly, following doctors’ advice and keeping a positive outlook too helps manage the disease better.
Note- I am just a well-wisher and am not qualified to share any advice. The information shared here is something that is purely based on my understanding of the disease and what I saw helped my dear one. It is important to speak to a medical expert before making any changes to the diet or exercise regime. Stay healthy and stay informed.
Yes diet and exercise play a major role in management of many chronic diseases and CKD is one of them. for having a better prognosis, it is must that patients follow a recommended diet and exercise schedule. wetogether.care is great website. I had visited it and got impressed with their informative resources for kidney patients.
I am going to forward this to a young friend who is suffering from kidney desease.
I am sure he will find it extremely helpful.
This is extremely insightful. Never know Tomato and banana should also be avoiding for managing kidney health. But will definitely pass this on to close ones
Proper diet and exercise can help in managing many chronic diseases. One must be committed towards it. I was aware of Tomato but didnt know Banana should also be avoided.
Right diet & exercise does play an important role in managing kidney disease. One of my friends father got diagnosed with kidney disease a few years back but he managed it quite well with diet & activities suggested by his doctor. This blog is really informative.
With right set of information and advice from the doctor disease can be managed well. You have listed the facts in very understable manner that will help many to understand about the relationship between kidney disease and diet & exercise.
Balanced diet with regular exercise can help fight with any disease. You have rightly said once disease is diagnosed it is important to have regular checkups. Platform wish provide complete and authentic information is very vital too.
Kidney diseases can be quite debilitating when it comes to living a normal life. Your post is a very helpful resource for many. Thanks for the in-depth research!
It is so good to know about such a platform Neha, it these times any such resource can be of incredible help.
Proper diet and exercise are so important for a healthy kidney. I know many who suffer from kidney diseases. Proper lifestyle changes help considerably.
My aunt-in-law suffers from kidney ailments for the last 25years and I have seen how diet and exercise have played a vital role. This post is well-researched and informative.
Diet and exercise can help. To manage chronic diseases. CKD is becoming common and people needn’t panic as they can manage through proper diet and exercise
This post is definitely helpful
Right diet and exercise are the answer to most of our health problems. Helpful post. I can see that almost all natural and healthy foods are allowed.
It is a coon belief that if you have kidney disease you have to take rest. You have broken that myth effectively.
I’ve seen my mother in law suffer n succumb to diabetes and my 15 yr old niece too has it frm the time she was 9 or 10. Right diet n exercise is the way to keep it in control
Wow, this is really helpful. Proper diet and a bit exercise can actually do miracles. I had lost one my neighbour uncle because of Kidney faliour years before.
Starting the blog with a live example really made me intrigued. It speaks about the diet and most importantly the exercise regime which many people tend to not focus on.