Congestive heart failure is the condition in which one’s heart is not able to pump blood efficiently to meet the normal functioning of the body. Kidney diseases include conditions in which the kidneys are not able to filter urine efficiently. Though both the diseases are distinct, both of them are similar in that they are intolerant to excessive body fluid. A weak heart will be stressed more if it is made to pump excess fluids; on the other hand weak kidneys will stressed when made to filter excess fluids.
Hence, one should carefully monitor the fluid levels of his/her body. You should make it a point to consult a reliable clinical dietitian regarding the diet program that you have to adopt, and follow it strictly, as these are serious medical conditions and proper care needs to be taken for these. However, mentioned further are some general dietary guidelines for this medical condition, which you may want to be aware of.
Diet Tips for Congestive Heart Failure & Kidney Disease
Reduce Water Intake
Drinking plenty of water is a healthy sign for many medical conditions, but it does not hold true in the case of Congestive Heart Failure and kidney diseases, as we have noted that excessive fluids stress out the heart and the kidneys. However, not drinking sufficient quantity of water can also dehydrate your body, which again, can turn out to be a potentially serious condition. Instead of drinking a full glass of water, you can always have a half a glass of water when you are thirsty.
Also, as water is indispensable, you can curtail your quota of other fluids such as hot and cold beverages, to keep the fluid balance of your body well within the prescribed limits. The fluid demands of your body will vary according to your living conditions. Hence, it is important for you to chalk out a fluid intake plan with your dietitian based on your individual lifestyle and environmental dictates.
Curtail Beverages
It is not only water, but fluids in general that you must be careful about. Even tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, soft and hard drinks are to be taken in a restricted manner by those suffering from heart failures and kidney diseases. Rather, it is better to completely eliminate these from your diet, as you have to compensate for the consumption of adequate amounts of water anyway (as it is an indispensable fluid).
Reduce Table Salt
Table salt loves fluids and it will aid in their retention in your body, leading to a number of dangerous problems in persons suffering from cardiovascular and kidney malfunctioning. Hence, you should watch out for your salt intake.
Include salt in moderation in your diet, as it is required for maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body. However, you could totally ban high-salt processed foods such as potato chips, pickles, crackers, bologna, and canned foods containing brine.
Reduce Phosphorus and Potassium Intake
Potassium and phosphorus do not directly affect the heart, but they affect the functioning of the kidneys, which in turn affect a diseased heart by not filtering out body fluids adequately. Therefore, you should restrict intake of dietary phosphorus and potassium. Some potassium rich foods include white beans, green leafy vegetables, yogurt, fish, salmon, potatoes, apricots, salmon, avocados and mushrooms. You should have these items after consulting their suitability with your health care provider.
Low potassium options include apples, pears and grapes. Rice and oat bran, pumpkin seeds, watermelon and squash, cheese, sunflower seeds, toasted wheat germs, roasted soybeans, Tahini, Bacon, and flax seeds are all high in phosphorus. Low phosphorus alternatives of processed foods should be consumed. Lean meat, unrefined rice and cereals, green peas, popcorn are some of the low phosphorus alternatives.
Identify and Restrict Hidden Fluids
A fluid may not always be something that you drink. It includes things that we eat too. Ice cubes, sorbets, soups, gravy dishes, stews etc. have a high percentage of water. You can restrict the consumption of these foods or eat them in moderation.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.