Regular consumption of anti-inflammatory foods is an absolute MUST for preserving kidney function. Inflammation makes CKD progress faster. Anti-inflammatory foods give your body the tools to calm down that inflammation. Here are some of the main ones to think about:
- Leafy Greens contain several anti-inflammatory compounds. Include at least 2 cups of leafy greens like spinach, spring mix, arugula, or romaine in your diet every day. If you are on a low potassium diet you will need to avoid cooked spinach and chard, however, raw spinach is ok. You can eat your greens in a salad, a smoothie, a soup, or as a cooked side dish. Cooked greens mayl need some salt to cut the bitterness. Small additions of table salt is allowable as long as your diet limits processed foods and restaurant foods (the main offenders of sodium).
- Whole grains like barley, oats, whole wheat, and rye contain fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Regular consumption of whole grains has been linked with a reduction in inflammatory markers. Whole grains can cause a significant rise in blood sugar so make sure to limit your portions to no more than 1-2 servings at a time.
- Cruciferous Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and radishes contain a magical compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Include at least 1 cup of cruciferous vegetables in your diet every day. If these foods are new to you, introduce slowly and cook the vegetables well to reduce the possibility of digestive discomfort.
- Healthy Fat sources such as ground flax seed, chia seeds, olive oil, and avocado are wonderful additions to your diet due to their ability to reduce systemic inflammation. Avocados are high in potassium but can be safely eaten when limited to 1/3 of a medium avocado or 2 tablespoons of guacamole.
