CKD or the Chronic Kidney disease refers to the failure of kidneys to function and loss in its ability to remove wastes from the body. If the problem is advanced then it might lead to building up of waste fluids in our body. Those who have this problem need to follow a proper diet chart and also avoid certain products in order to prevent the problem from getting worse. For instance, CKD patients cannot consume large amounts of dairy products as calcium and phosphorus are not good for their kidneys. But, at the same time we also know that milk is very good for the development of our bones.

In our present article we are going to talk about what all milk alternatives can a CKD patient incorporate in his diet.

What Milk Substitutes Can A Patient Include In His Diet?

Dairy products such as milk, cheese etc contain high amounts of phosphorus and calcium that might result in complications. Also potassium if taken in more than the required amount can lead to the weakening of bones and even the calcification of blood vessels. Hence there are certain alternatives to the milk and  dairy products that will not only be good for the kidneys but will also fulfill the milk requirements.

 So let’s have a look.

Buttermilk:

It is basically cow milk fermented by the lactic acid bacteria. Due to this process it is also referred to as a probiotic product. The patients can have it as a kidney friendly alternative to regular milk as, though the quantity of phosphorus and potassium is significant, but the serving size is minimal. 

However it is not good for those who have undergone transplant or have a weaker immune system, as there might be the risk of infection due to the bacteria.

Goat Milk: 

It is mainly preferred by those who have allergies from the regular cow milk. Though it is high in potassium but also has a lot of minerals that makes it more alkaline. Due to this, it is good for the kidneys.

Coconut Milk: 

As it is plant based, it naturally has low phosphorus content. It is referred to as a first choice for the patients with CKD. There are normally two kinds of Coconut milk, carton and canned. Canned milk is comparatively thicker and has high potassium content. Whereas, carton milk is thin and contains less amount of potassium, making it really good for the CKD patients and even for the ones who have undergone dialysis. 

Almond Milk: 

It is one of the most prevalent options for plant milk and is a must have item for those on a renal diet. As it is plant based, it has less amount of phosphorus and potassium and hence is very good for the kidney patients. It also has low amounts of sodium and sugar. Similarly, cashew and oat milk are also good for the kidneys. But some contain minerals that might be harmful for the kidneys. Hence it is very important to read the labels before buying them.

Soy Milk And Rice Milk

Soy and Rice milk are one of the oldest and most commonly suggested plant based milk. It also has limited amounts of calcium along with low oxalate minerals. They are also known to have less phosphorus and potassium and other such nutrients that are bad for the kidneys as compared to cow milk.

CONCLUSION

Finding a right milk alternative might be a challenging task if you have a Chronic Kidney Disease. Before going out to buy the dairy substitutes always remember to check the labels and read their nutrition levels. As, though most of the plant based milk contain low phosphorus but  some might even have large amounts of potassium or other such minerals that might pose harm to your kidneys. In case you are confused it’s always better to consult a dietician.