Nephrotic Syndrome Diet
Protein needs
Your doctor or dietitian can analyze your lab results to better estimate how much protein you require. At one time, it was recommended that people with nephrotic syndrome eat a high-protein diet, but this is rarely encouraged anymore. Recommendations are to consume .8 to 1.0 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.
Sodium intake
Aim for a total of 1 000 - 2 000 milligrams (mg) per day. In general, processed foods are the highest in sodium. You will want to limit your intake of foods that are purchased in boxes or cans. For example, Hamburger Helper® and similar type meals, regular canned soups, some canned vegetables, boxed stuffing and noodle/rice mixes, and most frozen dinners are very high in sodium. Many cheeses, condiments (such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, steak sauce, etc), processed meat products, cold cuts, and snack foods also contain a shocking amount of sodium. It is very important that you carefully read all food labels and consider your total diet when grocery shopping.
Fat and cholesterol intake
Avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Look for the words “partially hydrogenated fatty acids” on the food’s ingredient list to determine whether or not it contains trans fat. You should focus on eating foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as:
· Anchovies
· Atlantic herring
· Atlantic mackerel
· Butternuts (similar to walnuts)
· Canola oil
· Flaxseed
· Olive oil
· Salmon
· Sardines
· Soy nuts
· Tuna
· Walnut oil
· Walnuts
· Wheat germ
You should limit the following foods or ingredients:
· 2% or whole milk
· Beer or ale
· Butter
· Coconut oil
· Cream
· Cream soups
· Dark colas
· Fatty meats
· Fried foods
· Hard margarines (stick)
· High-fat baked goods
· High-fat condiments, such as regular mayonnaise or tartar sauce
· High-fat snack foods
· Ice cream
· Lard
· Palm kernel oil
· Palm oil
· Poultry with skin
· Regular deli meats and cheeses
· Regular sour cream
· Shortening
Also, you should:
· Limit calcium to 1 000 to 1 500 mg/day
· Limit cholesterol to 200 mg/day
· Limit total fat to < 30% of your total calories
· Ask your doctor if you must restrict your fluids
Number of meals/day
Many people with nephrotic syndrome find that they cannot eat much at one time, because they feel full faster. If this is the case for you, you may want to try to eat six small meals per day, rather than the traditional three larger meals. You also may want to avoid drinking fluid when eating, because this can cause you to feel full more quickly.
References and recommended readings
Jaipaul N. Nephrotic syndrome. Merck Manual website. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec11/ch144/ch144c.html. Accessed September 17, 2015.
Nephrotic syndrome. Providence Health & Services website. http://california.providence.org/health-library/content/?contentTypeID=85&contentID=P01486. Accessed September 17, 2015.
Nutrition care manual. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. http://www.nutritioncaremanual.org. Accessed September 17, 2015.
Contributed and updated by Nutrition411.com staff
Review Date 9/14/15