Americans are being reminded to incorporate healthy eating habits to protect their kidneys in honor of National Kidney Month. Most children with kidney disease are born with urinary tract issues, but some infants develop kidney disease as they grow up; this can be attributed to adverse conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are two primary causes of kidney disease in adults, but more young adults (especially obese adolescents) are being diagnosed with these conditions.
Symptoms that show a child is at risk of kidney disease include the following:
- The child is overweight
- Back pain (including side and pain in the lower belly)
- Pain when urinating
- Fever
- Swollen eyelids
- Dehydration
- Swelling in the legs and feet
- A family member suffers from kidney disease
It is important to take care of your kidneys. In order to do this try to adopt more healthy habits to help prevent the development of adverse diseases. Adults, for example, to lower your blood pressure naturally, make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables, get more sunlight, eat beets (to lower the vascular tone inside your arteries) and eat fatty fish.
Let’s go over some more healthy eating habits you can incorporate in your life…
How to Have Healthy Eating Habits!
In honor of National Kidney Month, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) offer helpful tips on exercising and healthy eating to help prevent these conditions. For example, when cooking meals, cook with less butter and opt for canola oil. Try baking instead of frying and munch on scrumptious fruits, veggies and hummus instead of chips and dip. When consuming dairy, opt for low-fat and fat-free.
Eat poultry, fish and lean meats. Finally, avoid huge portion sizes—especially when it comes to portioning food for a child.
The U.S. government releases guidelines on healthy eating every few years and suggests limiting sodium, added sugars and refined grains in a diet. Furthermore, children (as well as adolescents and adults) are encouraged to eat breakfast to get the energy they need to stay focused throughout the day.
Sources for Today’s Article:
“This National Kidney Month, help your children adopt healthy habits,” National Institutes of Health web site; http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/national-kidney-month-help-your-children-adopt-healthy-habits, last accessed March 11, 2016.
“Is My Child at Risk for Kidney Disease?” The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases web site; http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/nkdep/a-z/risk-kidney-disease/Pages/child-risk-kidney-disease.aspx, last accessed March 11, 2016.
“Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents,” The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases web site; http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/weight-control/helping-your-child-tips-parents/Pages/helping-your-child-tips-for-parents.aspx#d, last accessed March 11, 2016.
