Plant-based foods help support kidney health when included in a balanced and varied diet, as they contribute to providing fiber and important nutrients for the body.
Olesia Makhova, an expert at the "Russian Quality System," points to the importance of consuming legumes, such as chickpeas, beans, lentils, and peas, as sources of plant protein. She also recommends adding whole grains to daily meals, including buckwheat, oats, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread, due to their fiber content which supports metabolism and overall body health.
The expert explains that maintaining kidney health does not depend on eating a single type of food, but rather on following a varied diet. Therefore, she advises gradually expanding the list of plant-based foods, instead of focusing on what are known as superfoods.
Useful options also include nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, because they contain fiber and healthy fats.
On the other hand, people prone to kidney stones should be mindful of consuming foods rich in oxalates, such as spinach, beets, and sorrel, depending on their specific health condition.
Makhova emphasizes the necessity of customizing the diet for people with kidney or urinary tract diseases, while taking into account the levels of potassium and phosphorus in the body.
She confirms that a plant-based diet does not suit everyone in the same way, and that consulting a doctor is essential to determine the appropriate dietary choices for each case.
