Food & Nutrition

Kidney Friendly & Harmful Foods

Processed Meats

To produce processed meats, raw meats are smoked, cured, salted, or dried. This helps extend the shelf life and boost the texture and flavor. Common forms of processed meats include sausage, deli meats, and bacon. Since most of these products are salted, they tend to contain a lot of sodium. High-sodium foods are bad for those with kidney disease as high levels of this mineral would put too much strain on the kidneys. These organs have to work harder to remove excess sodium in the body. As a result, it increases blood pressure and results in accumulation of fluids in the ankles or around the lungs and heart. To reduce the risk, go for healthier alternatives, such as lean and skinless meat cuts. [3]