Milk Alternatives for People with Chronic Kidney Disease

For normal people, milk is a good choice for drink for it is rich in many kinds of nutrition. It is good for our intestinal tract, nerves, skin, bones, muscles and other tissues. But for Chronic Kidney Disease patients, they have to keep a strict diet plan, which means there are a lot of foods which are not suitable for them. Milk is one of these foods for it contains too much potassium and phosphorus. But now our specialists give some suggestions for CKD patients who love milk. With these tips, you can enjoy some milk alternatives.

Are there any alternatives to milk if I have Chronic kidney disease?

Yes. In recent years, the number of alternative milk choices in the market has grown significantly. Soy milk and nondairy creamer can be found in most grocery stores, while products such as rice milk and almond milk have also gained in popularity. However, some of these products do contain significant amounts of potassium and/or phosphorus. It is important to check the label for additives containing these nutrients.

What should I consider in choosing a milk alternative?

Calcium, phosphorus, potassium and protein content should all be considered when choosing a milk alternative. Your dietitian can help you determine which milk alternative is right for your diet. Unfortunately, only calcium and protein are usually listed on food labels. The amount of phosphorus and potassium in the product are not often included in the nutrition facts. However, DaVita has developed the Food Analyzer, a database that details nutrients in many foods you eat, including potassium and phosphorus. The ingredient list often gives clues to help when selecting a milk alternative. Products with phosphate additives or fortified with calcium would not be the best choices.

It is also important to be aware that product formulas can change. One brand of soy milk that is low in phosphorus may be fortified with phosphorus the following year. Even within the same brands, different flavors can have varied amounts of phosphorus, calcium and potassium. It often helps to contact the company directly to get the most current nutritional information. Here are some milk alternatives that people with kidney disease may consider using in their diets:

Summary


All in all, CKD patients who love drinking milk must have a good select about the milk alternatives. Not only milk, CKD patients had better make a diet plan under the suggestions of their doctors and have a timely treatment. We must know that diet just a control way for our disease, the timely treatment is the root way to get rid of the disease. And if you want to know more about CKD diet or CKD treatment, you can send email to kidneyfight@hotmail.com, we will try our best to solve your problems.

kidneyfight@hotmail.com