Foods to Avoid for Patients of Kidney Cancer

Foods to Avoid for Patients of Kidney Cancer

An individual diagnosed with kidney or renal cancer should pay attention to their dietary habits as they go a long way in helping to alleviate the symptoms of the disease or even worsen them. Some foods can potentially increase the accumulation of waste in the kidneys and the bloodstream, and these are the foods to avoid for people with renal cancer. Instead, every meal should consist of foods that are beneficial for alleviating the symptoms and soothing the body. The following is a list of some foods to avoid for people with renal cancer:

  • Canned food
    Canned and processed food are popular as they are convenient to use. However, to prolong their shelf life, most canned foods contain high levels of sodium and additives. The kidneys are unable to flush out all the salt, which leads to complications, so one should limit their consumption of canned food as much as possible.
  • Whole wheat bread
    Although high on fiber, whole-wheat bread and whole-wheat products contain phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Patients of renal cancer and kidney disease should avoid these foods and opt for white bread.
  • Processed food
    Most doctors and nutritionists discourage the consumption of processed foods as they contain additives and are high in sodium. They also contain trans-fat and hydrogenated fat, and studies show that consuming a lot of processed food leads to chronic ailments like high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and cancer. Processed foods increase the stress on the kidneys, so they should be avoided by people with renal cancer.
  • Pickled food
    Excess salt is added to pickles to extend their shelf life. Any food with excess salt is harmful to people with any kidney disease and renal cancer, so they should be avoided.
  • Packaged and ready-to-eat meals
    There is a huge market for these meals – both with those who do not know how to cook and for those who do not have the time to cook their own meals. It also saves a lot of bother for those who find the entire process of cooking extremely cumbersome. Though convenient, packed and instant meals are processed and contain additives and sodium, making them harmful to people with renal cancer.
  • Ready-to-eat snacks
    Snacks are the go-to option if one does not have time to eat a meal. However, mass-manufactured snacks are high in salt and potassium, so people with renal cancer should avoid them and opt for healthier options.

With the convenience of knowing what we are choosing to eat when we pick up a snack or food packet off the shelf in the supermarket, one must always check the food labels to ensure that no harmful ingredients are present in the food items that they’re buying. Apart from cooked or packaged food, several natural foods are high on minerals that can be harmful to patients of renal cancer. They should be eliminated from the diet of a person with kidney disease or renal cancer to prevent further complications and health issues.