The Proper Care of Your Kidneys (And What Protein Has to Do With It)
It's common knowledge that protein is a very important part of everyone's diet.
It promotes muscle growth and recovery from injury.
It may not be common knowledge that people suffering from kidney or renal conditions should carefully monitor how much protein they get.
They'll need more than the common amount - about two grams daily for each kilogram of their body weight.
Alternate Sources of Protein Those who want to be absolutely sure to get the protein they need do not rely on getting it from the food they eat, but from protein supplements.
Have you ever seen athletes on television drinking glasses of raw eggs? That's what they did before protein supplements were created because eggs were packed with protein to repair muscles after a hard workout and to help build strength.
There are a number of ways to get protein supplements to care for your kidneys, ranging from liquid to powder.
Liquid Protein Supplements: Amino acids are the core of all liquid protein supplements, usually supplied from whey, casein or other sources.
All proteins are made up of amino acids, which are very important for people with renal conditions.
You can find liquid protein supplements in a couple of different forms.
Some are mixed into other beverages, to create a shake or smoothie.
Others are found already made for someone who is on-the-go and needs something portable.
These can also be used as meal replacements so you can get a meal when you just don't have time to sit down and eat something.
There are two different kinds of liquid protein shakes.
One is high in both fat and carbohydrates and is usually used by bodybuilders and others who are trying to increase muscle mass.
The other kind has reduced fat and carbohydrates.
This second form is for those trying to follow a diet or for diabetics who want more protein without adding more fat and calories.
Powered Protein Supplements: Some protein powders can also be made into shakes and smoothies, while others can simply be added to your favorite recipes in a completely undetectable manner for added protein.
Do you want something to just replace a meal? A protein powder shake or smoothie is perfect for that purpose, and they also taste fantastic.
Protein powders can be found in a number of flavors for mixing into beverages, like chocolate or vanilla shakes or fruit and berry smoothies.
Or you could opt to get the flavorless powered protein supplements that can be added to just about any recipe as part of your renal nutrition plan to keep yourself healthy.
Protein in Your Diet When you have problems with your kidneys, you will have to make some changes in your diet to get the necessary amount of protein.
Despite what rumor may tell you, you don't have to have food that will put your taste buds into a coma to do it, either.
A number of foods that are both healthy and great-tasting contain high amounts of protein, and no matter what kind of foods you enjoy eating, there is going to be at least one for you.
Meat, Poultry and Fish Protein can be found in lean red meat, poultry and in fish.
These also contain a number of other nutrients that are very important parts of renal care.
These foods are simply packed with protein, and you would be hard-pressed to find better sources.
Want to try something different? Serve up some protein-rich venison.
Just 100 grams of venison has 34 grams of protein.
Turkey is also a good source of protein, with 28 grams of protein per one hundred gram serving.
Lean beef contains 25 grams in the same amount.
In the fish category, a cod fillet contains 22 grams of protein per 100 grams, while just plain tuna in oil has 26 grams of protein per 100 grams.
A diet that requires about forty to sixty grams of protein a day that includes a meal with just one of the items mentioned above will get at least half of the recommended protein amount in just that meal.
Fruits and Vegetables Vegetarians can suffer renal conditions, too.
If you are one of them, of course you don't want to compromise your chosen way of eating if you can avoid it at all.
Fortunately, there are many ways to get protein without eating anything that came from an animal.
Many fruits and vegetables contain good amounts of protein, like soy beans.
Soy has so much protein, in fact, that many protein supplements are made from it.
Fruits: There are many options that can serve as snacks or parts of a full-fledged meal, which will add valuable protein to your diet.
In particular, apples, grapes, bananas, pineapples, pears, oranges, strawberries, tangerines and watermelons are all great sources.
Vegetables: When it comes to vegetables, a salad may give you most of the protein that you'll need for the day, if you incorporate some of these into the mix: beets, green peppers, green peas, cucumbers, cauliflower, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, watercress or broccoli.
For the non-vegetarians, adding a little chicken, turkey or tuna will double the protein contained in the salad.
Nuts and Seeds Vegetarians and people of any stripe have another option for protein.
Nuts are a great source (unless you have an allergy, of course) and should be a part of your renal care diet.
They are the perfect snack, or they can be used in recipes.
Cashews are rich in protein, but remember that they are also high in fat, so only eat a few at a time.
Peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are also good choices.
For something a little different, have some hemp seed.
Not only is it full of protein, it has antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients.
Grains Grains are another source of protein to consider.
Of course, many recipes are made from grains, both vegetarian and with meat added.
Brown rice is very high in protein, and it goes well as a side dish or an ingredient with a number of main courses.
Barley is also a good grain for renal care, especially when added to homemade chicken soup.
At breakfast time, oatmeal is a great way to start your day with a protein boost.
Protein does not only aid in recovery, but it is a good source of energy as well.
Other grains that are high in protein include wheat, wheat germ and buckwheat.
It promotes muscle growth and recovery from injury.
It may not be common knowledge that people suffering from kidney or renal conditions should carefully monitor how much protein they get.
They'll need more than the common amount - about two grams daily for each kilogram of their body weight.
Alternate Sources of Protein Those who want to be absolutely sure to get the protein they need do not rely on getting it from the food they eat, but from protein supplements.
Have you ever seen athletes on television drinking glasses of raw eggs? That's what they did before protein supplements were created because eggs were packed with protein to repair muscles after a hard workout and to help build strength.
There are a number of ways to get protein supplements to care for your kidneys, ranging from liquid to powder.
Liquid Protein Supplements: Amino acids are the core of all liquid protein supplements, usually supplied from whey, casein or other sources.
All proteins are made up of amino acids, which are very important for people with renal conditions.
You can find liquid protein supplements in a couple of different forms.
Some are mixed into other beverages, to create a shake or smoothie.
Others are found already made for someone who is on-the-go and needs something portable.
These can also be used as meal replacements so you can get a meal when you just don't have time to sit down and eat something.
There are two different kinds of liquid protein shakes.
One is high in both fat and carbohydrates and is usually used by bodybuilders and others who are trying to increase muscle mass.
The other kind has reduced fat and carbohydrates.
This second form is for those trying to follow a diet or for diabetics who want more protein without adding more fat and calories.
Powered Protein Supplements: Some protein powders can also be made into shakes and smoothies, while others can simply be added to your favorite recipes in a completely undetectable manner for added protein.
Do you want something to just replace a meal? A protein powder shake or smoothie is perfect for that purpose, and they also taste fantastic.
Protein powders can be found in a number of flavors for mixing into beverages, like chocolate or vanilla shakes or fruit and berry smoothies.
Or you could opt to get the flavorless powered protein supplements that can be added to just about any recipe as part of your renal nutrition plan to keep yourself healthy.
Protein in Your Diet When you have problems with your kidneys, you will have to make some changes in your diet to get the necessary amount of protein.
Despite what rumor may tell you, you don't have to have food that will put your taste buds into a coma to do it, either.
A number of foods that are both healthy and great-tasting contain high amounts of protein, and no matter what kind of foods you enjoy eating, there is going to be at least one for you.
Meat, Poultry and Fish Protein can be found in lean red meat, poultry and in fish.
These also contain a number of other nutrients that are very important parts of renal care.
These foods are simply packed with protein, and you would be hard-pressed to find better sources.
Want to try something different? Serve up some protein-rich venison.
Just 100 grams of venison has 34 grams of protein.
Turkey is also a good source of protein, with 28 grams of protein per one hundred gram serving.
Lean beef contains 25 grams in the same amount.
In the fish category, a cod fillet contains 22 grams of protein per 100 grams, while just plain tuna in oil has 26 grams of protein per 100 grams.
A diet that requires about forty to sixty grams of protein a day that includes a meal with just one of the items mentioned above will get at least half of the recommended protein amount in just that meal.
Fruits and Vegetables Vegetarians can suffer renal conditions, too.
If you are one of them, of course you don't want to compromise your chosen way of eating if you can avoid it at all.
Fortunately, there are many ways to get protein without eating anything that came from an animal.
Many fruits and vegetables contain good amounts of protein, like soy beans.
Soy has so much protein, in fact, that many protein supplements are made from it.
Fruits: There are many options that can serve as snacks or parts of a full-fledged meal, which will add valuable protein to your diet.
In particular, apples, grapes, bananas, pineapples, pears, oranges, strawberries, tangerines and watermelons are all great sources.
Vegetables: When it comes to vegetables, a salad may give you most of the protein that you'll need for the day, if you incorporate some of these into the mix: beets, green peppers, green peas, cucumbers, cauliflower, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, watercress or broccoli.
For the non-vegetarians, adding a little chicken, turkey or tuna will double the protein contained in the salad.
Nuts and Seeds Vegetarians and people of any stripe have another option for protein.
Nuts are a great source (unless you have an allergy, of course) and should be a part of your renal care diet.
They are the perfect snack, or they can be used in recipes.
Cashews are rich in protein, but remember that they are also high in fat, so only eat a few at a time.
Peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are also good choices.
For something a little different, have some hemp seed.
Not only is it full of protein, it has antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients.
Grains Grains are another source of protein to consider.
Of course, many recipes are made from grains, both vegetarian and with meat added.
Brown rice is very high in protein, and it goes well as a side dish or an ingredient with a number of main courses.
Barley is also a good grain for renal care, especially when added to homemade chicken soup.
At breakfast time, oatmeal is a great way to start your day with a protein boost.
Protein does not only aid in recovery, but it is a good source of energy as well.
Other grains that are high in protein include wheat, wheat germ and buckwheat.