The holidays are a time of celebrating, spending time with family, and indulging in food and drinks. Living with chronic kidney disease makes it more challenging to get through the holidays without causing more harm to the kidneys.
Knowing how to navigate the holiday season and social gatherings with kidney disease is essential for maintaining your health. If you're unsure where to begin, the three experienced nephrologists at Metro Renal Associates are here to provide the tools and knowledge you need.
We specialize in various genitourinary conditions, including CKD, kidney failure, and kidney disease, and provide treatments to help you enjoy all of the upcoming festivities.
Chronic kidney disease is a condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter waste out of the blood as they should. It usually happens to people who are living with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
The holidays can be challenging with chronic kidney disease for several reasons. Four of the major additives in food that cause issues with CKD during the holidays include:
Most holiday foods are high in sodium, which is dangerous for people with CKD. Excessive sodium intake causes fluid overload and stresses the kidneys.
Many holiday foods are high in phosphorus, which can be challenging to manage with chronic kidney disease. These foods can lead to heart, bone, and blood vessel issues when consumed in excess.
Hyperkalemia, or high potassium, is a dangerous complication of CKD. Many of your favorite holiday foods contain potassium, which negatively affects the kidneys and can lead to life-threatening consequences with too much indulgence.
Alcohol is usually plentiful during the holidays, but it's not great for people with CKD. Alcoholic drinks are dehydrating and hard on the kidneys.
Avoiding too many sweets, processed foods, and alcohol is a great way to start preparing for the holiday season with CKD.
Living with CKD means you need to be extra careful about what goes into your body and into your kidneys. It means you need to prepare ahead of the festive season to ensure you stay healthy into the new year.
We offer the following tips to our CKD patients to avoid any issues while enjoying holiday festivities and meals:
It's essential to stay hydrated at all times of the year, but especially over the holidays. However, it's necessary to drink plenty of water and stay away from alcohol and overly sugary drinks to avoid kidney problems.
Try to avoid filling up on fatty, carb-heavy, or overly sweet treats during the holidays. Instead, build a plate full of veggies, fruits, and lean proteins to avoid eating harmful ingredients to your kidneys.
Monitoring portion sizes is crucial for those with CKD, especially over the indulgent holiday season. You can use smaller plates and drink plenty of water to reduce your food intake and promote healthier kidneys.
Using salt is common during holiday meals, but it's not great for CKD patients. Instead of using salt, try cooking with herbs and lemon, or opt for sodium-free alternatives to achieve excellent flavor.
Stress does a number on your body and your kidneys. It's crucial to manage stress levels when living with CKD to avoid holiday hospital trips.
Sleep is essential for every bodily function, including allowing your kidneys to work optimally. Take time to ensure that you're getting plenty of sleep to stay healthy during every season.
To learn more about CKD and how to stay healthy throughout the year, call one of our conveniently located offices in Washington, D.C., and Capitol Heights, Maryland. You can also request a consultation on the website.
