Your Quality of Life with Renal Disease: 5 Rules to Follow

If you’re living with renal disease, you know it has an impact on your everyday life. Your diet is different. Your energy level is different. And while you’re managing all the other areas of your life like work, family, and other activities, you’ve got to do everything you can to maintain the kidney function you have left.

Do you leave it up to your doctor, nutritionist, or healthcare team? Or do you leave it up to the Mysterious Force, and do nothing? You could. But if you want the best chance to maintain your health and enjoy a positive quality of life it’s up to you.

So what does it take to manage your health when you have renal disease? Here are 5 rules to follow.

Rule #1: Eat healthy food

Avoid or limit foods with sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein. If you’re not used to eating this way, you’ll have to make some changes to your diet, maybe even give up some foods you used to enjoy.

Don’t worry. It’s doesn’t have to be hard. Check out this menu of Renal-Friendly foods all made from fresh ingredients that are ready to eat in minutes.

The top 3 favorite Renal-Friendly meals are:

• Eggplant Parmigiana and Polenta with Spinach & Roasted Pepper
• Spinach Mushroom Lasagna with Garlic Green Beans
• Vegetable Caponata with Orzo & Spinach

Rule #2: Take medications

When you have renal disease, your doctor will probably prescribe a number of medications to protect the health of the kidney function you have left. Follow the instructions. Take your medication. If you have questions, call your doctor.

Rule #3: Be active

Look, life is stressful enough with all your day-to-day responsibilities. Add managing renal disease to the list, and you need a way to relax, de-stress, and unwind. Exercise is a great way to do that. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. Go for a walk. Take a fitness class. Or try yoga and meditation. You’ll feel better, burn extra calories, and improve your health.

Rule #4: Get support

You might feel like you’re the only one living with renal disease. But you’re not. About 1 in 7 adults is living with some form of kidney disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Join a support group in your area to get help, make friends, and stick to your plan to stay healthy. Learn more about support groups here from the National Kidney Foundation.

Rule #5: Follow your personal care plan

Want to live longer, be healthier, and enjoy a better quality of life as you age with renal disease? It’s up to you. Invest in yourself. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Follow the advice from your healthcare team. Practice healthy habits daily, and you’ll get there.