THE first week of September is Kidney Awareness Week in Mzansi.
Therefore, it’s important to give kidneys a second thought and see if there are a couple of lifestyle tweaks that could provide better support.
According to Dr Zarina Ebrahim, a registered dietitian and lecturer at Stellenbosch University, people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) face a range of stringent dietary restrictions.
“The liberalisation of the dietary guidelines for CKD patients is now a sparkle of sunshine in a previously doom-and-gloom approach,” she said.
Dr Ebrahim explained that people have moved away from outdated "do" and "don't" lists to a more balanced approach to whole foods.
“This is important because people with CKD must avoid malnutrition and enjoy a good quality of life. So, we’ve gone back to the basics of healthy balanced dietary intake, keeping it simple and natural by favouring the inclusion of food such as whole grains, vegetables and fruit, and limiting ultra-processed foods with additives," she said.
Dr Ebrahim said that those living with CKD must have individualised nutrition guidelines that consider the stage of disease, their current health assessments and treatments.
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The tips for looking after your kidney health are:
• Enjoy what you eat: Experiment with different recipes and ingredients to make healthy and interesting meals.
• It's not the "sometimes" decisions that change the course of your health and wellness. It is the small everyday commitments that alter our lives.
• Exercise is not a punishment: It celebrates that your body can move. You don't have to hit a gym. Dancing in your living room or gardening is also movement.
• Choose your liquids wisely: Consider how much sugar or additives are in your drink.
• Stop smoking. Your kidneys don't like it.
• Look out for specials on healthy food items.
• Pack in healthy meals for work rather than buying take-outs.
• Manage your stress: Physical and emotional stress influences our overall health and sleep and has a knock-on effect on how we choose foods.
• And lastly, know your numbers: Get regular check-ups on your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and weight.
