Diet Plan and Principles for PKD Patients

2016-09-26 08:41

When you are out shopping, are busy or in a hurry, it can be hard to choose between the many types of packaged foods. Some of these products are often surprisingly high in salt, added sugar, saturated fat and kilojoules. Labels can also be misleading.

Maintain your fluid intake

Drink 8-10 glasses of fluid a day, at least two litres, (excluding alcohol). Ideally, this fluid should be plain water. Be governed by how thirsty you are and drink more if you are working in a hot climate or sweat a lot.

Alcohol

Your liver, not your kidneys, is responsible for removing alcohol from your body. So, unless you prefer to do so, there is no need to give up alcohol completely if you have ADPKD and are otherwise healthy. But it is important to keep to recommended limits:

· Two to three alcohol-free days a week

· No more than 14 units a week for men and women

Too much alcohol is bad for you because:

· Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of calories, so they can make it more difficult to keep to a healthy weight.

· Alcohol raises your blood pressure, increasing your risk of kidney damage, and heart disease and strokes.

· It can increase the risk of some cancers.

· It can cause liver problems

· It can interact with some prescription medications.

Exercise

Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, because it helps to control your weight and blood pressure, protecting your heart and kidneys.

You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (so that you are slightly out of breath) five days a week. Find an activity that you enjoy and try to fit exercise into your day:

· Brisk walking

· Swimming

· Dancing

· Cycling

· Vigorous gardening and housework

Ask your doctor for help with losing weight if you are struggling.

You can continue to play sport if you have ADPKD, but avoid or take precautions with contact sports like rugby, hockey, boxing or other martial arts. This is because there is a risk that any impact on your kidneys could lead to cysts bursting, pain and blood in the urine.

Smoking

Smoking is bad for anyone, but it is especially important to give up if you have any type of kidney disease. Smoking damages your kidneys by raising your blood pressure, as well as increasing your risk of heart disease and strokes. It is never too late to stop smoking, but it can be difficult if you have been smoking for many years.

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