10 Healthy Foods That are Great for Your Kidneys

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, located below your rib cage. They are essential blood filtering organs that are involved in maintaining:

• Electrolyte concentrations
• Removal of toxins
• PH regulation
• Blood pressure regulation through hormones

Did you know that the renal diet, diet for persons with chronic kidney disease, is made to be low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus?

Here are 10 Healthy Foods for Your Kidneys:

Pineapples

Pineapples are rich in fiber, bromelain, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6. They also contain less potassium, sodium, and phosphorus than bananas and oranges.

Kale

Kale is a dark leafy green that is packed with antioxidants, (protects your cells against free radicals), that are beneficial for kidney function.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are great for kidney health, since they contain a high amount of proteins and they have a very low amount of carbohydrates.

Unsalted Popcorn

Looking for an alternative to high sodium chips? Unsalted popcorn is naturally low in sodium and fat.

Green Beans

Green beans are full of antioxidants and fiber.

Blueberries

Blueberries are low in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus making them a great choice as a healthy food for your kidneys. They also contain beta-carotene and other antioxidants.

Cherries

Cherries are a great source of polyphenols and fiber. Polyphenols can also be found in apples, grapes, and pears. They also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Fish

Fish such as salmon, tuna, halibut, and flounder are good choices for maintaining kidney health.

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is lower in potassium than other hard cheeses such as cheddar.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains oleic acid, an omega fatty acid, that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You should only get the Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a dark bottle. If it is in a clear bottle, then it will not be the same quality and have the mentioned health benefits.

HEB has a lot of great healthy foods that you can try! They also have a nice olive oil selection. The olive oil mentioned in the picture is from here: Extra Virgin Olive Oil from HEB/Central Market