Diabetics suffering from kidney failure should eat a diet low in protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and dairy.

About 30 percent of people with type 1 diabetes and 10 percent to 40 percent of those with type 2 diabetes eventually develop nephropathy, or diabetes-caused kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Although existing kidney damage cannot be reversed, future kidney damage in diabetics can be stopped or slowed by following a specific, specialized diet aimed at conserving existing kidney function.

1.                                                           Limit Protein, Salt, Potassium & Phosphorous

o                                                                Diabetics suffering from kidney failure should eat a diet low in protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and dairy. LifeClinic.com says men should limit their protein consumption to 5 to 6 ounces a day and women to 3 to 4 ounces a day. A low-protein diet appears to reduce protein in the urine and increase protein in the blood, which helps diabetics with kidney failure preserve their existing kidney function.

Sodium and potassium intake should also be limited. Herbs and spices can be used as a substitute for salt, but sodium substitutes that use potassium should be avoided. In terms of fruit, kiwis, nectarines, cantaloupe, prunes, raisins, bananas and oranges should be completely avoided because of their high potassium content. Fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches, plums, tangerines and pineapples can be eaten in moderation. Potatoes, spinach, asparagus, pumpkin, squash and tomato should also be avoided because of their high potassium content. All other vegetables can be eaten in moderation.

Diabetics suffering from kidney failure should also avoid foods high in phosphorus. These include chocolate, nuts and beer, among others. Dairy should be limited to half a cup a day because of its high phosphorus and protein content. Cheese, in particular, should be avoided or eaten in very small, infrequent servings. For the most part, whole grains can be eaten freely, as long as blood sugar levels are controlled.

Kidney problems in diabetics are further complicated because sugar intake must be kept low in order to regulate blood sugar levels. Because of the many food limitations and restrictions on diabetics suffering from kidney problems, it can be difficult for these people to consume enough calories to meet their nutritional needs. Calories should be added through starches and vegetables rather than proteins, dairy and high-sugar fruits. It is extremely important for diabetics with kidney failure to drink enough water, although exact water and liquid intake should be determined by the patient's doctor.

How strictly a diabetic patient must adhere to the above diet depends on the stage of kidney failure. Diabetics in the early stages may be able to consume higher levels of protein and potassium than those at the end stages. A nutritionist or nephrologist (kidney specialist) should be able to determine the patient's stage and dietary needs.

 If you are diabetic, then you know how important it is to stay on the proper diabetic diet. Diabetes can affect the kidneys, so often a good diabetic diet will include foods healthful for renal functioning. Diabetic and renal diet guidelines are promoted to encourage people suffering from diabetes or kidney failure to do everything they can to eat in the most healthful way possible for their conditions.

1.                                                           Low Sugar

o                                                                Sugar should be eliminated as much as possible. Any packaged foods should be chosen based on their low-sugar content.

Low Salt

o                                                                Salt can tax the kidneys and raise the blood pressure. Avoid adding salt to food and try to buy foods that are lower in sodium.

Low Protein

o                                                                Protein can also tax the kidneys. Try to avoid eating high protein foods or limit your protein intake to 8 ounces per day.

Low Potassium

o                                                                Potassium is regulated in the kidneys, so try to avoid eating foods high in otassium, such as bananas.

Low Dairy

o                                                                Dairy products can aggravate blood sugars and strain the kidneys, so try to limit the amount of dairy products you include in the diet.

 Overview

An Indian meal of naan, potatoes and a mango lassi to drink may be delicious and classic Indian fare, but it's not appropriate for a diabetic diet . Fortunately, you can enjoy the spicy flavors of Indian cuisine without paying for it with a high blood sugar reading later. Consider adding these Indian foods to your healthy diabetic diet.

Tandoori Roti

Tandoori is a fibre-rich, whole-grain bread that's more diabetic-friendly than refined Indian breads like chapati and dosa. Because whole-wheat bread is digested and absorbed more slowly than white bread, it reduces the risk of dangerous blood sugar spikes. Additionally, regularly consuming  whole grain can boost your cells' sensitivity to insulin, according to the November 2003 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." More insulin-sensitive cells can help make managing your blood sugar easier.

Channa Masala

Channa masala is a flavorful chickpea-based South Indian classic bursting with dietary fiber. Karen Collins of the American Institute for Cancer Research states that beans like chickpeas contain ample amounts of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber delays digestion of carbs, helping you achieve even blood sugar levels. Additionally, the soluble fiber in chickpeas can help decrease elevated cholesterol levels.

Vegetable Curry

Bland vegetables transform into mouth-watering superfoods when prepared as Indian vegetable curry. Containing a variety of nutrient-dense veggies like eggplant, spinach and carrots, vegetable curry is an excellent source of low glycemic index vegetables. The glycemic index is a measurement of how rapidly the carbs in a food end up as blood sugar. Including low glycemic index carbs in your diabetic diet can help you keep your blood sugar levels in check, the Glycemic Index Foundation reports.

Bhindi

Bhindi is a flavor-packed Indian side dish containing the vegetable okra. In addition to being a fibrous, low glycemic vegetable, okra contains compounds that can reduce the risk of diabetic kidney damage, the November 2010 edition of the "Jilin Medical Journal" states. In the study, 72 diabetic volunteers were given a diabetic diet or the same diet containing daily okra. The okra group had healthier kidneys at the end of the six-month followup period compared to those who didn't eat okra.

Sample 2000 Calorie Diabetic nephropathy Menu

Sample 2000 Calorie Diabetic Menu

• The following menu will maintain not only low caloric intake, but low glucose levels to help manage diabetic neuropathy.

BREAKFAST: 2 slices whole wheat toast, 4 tsp. natural peanut butter, 1 banana and 8 oz. of 1 percent milk.

LUNCH: a small salad consisting of lettuce, radish, cucumber, 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup green pepper (diced) with 3/4 cup tuna fish packed in water and 1 tbsp. low-fat ranch salad dressing. Top it off with 10 small green olives. 12 soda crackers (unsalted tops), 1 peach and water or sugar-free beverage.

DINNER: 6 oz. sirloin steak (with the fat trimmed), 1/2 cup cooked onions and 1/2 cup cooked mushrooms, 1 tsp. canola oil to saute the onions and mushrooms for topping steak, 1/2 cup cooked spinach, 1 large baked sweet potato (approximately 9 oz.), 2 tbsp. sour cream (optional) and water or sugar-free beverage.

SNACK: 1/2 cup strawberries.

Why Add Carbs?

• Why would a diabetic diet include carbs when carbs turn into sugar in the bloodstream? Actually the diabetic diet requires the intake of complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates do not cause a spike in blood sugar because they are digested slower than regular carbs and they make you feel full faster. About 50 percent of the diabetic diet should consist of complex carbohydrates like those found in whole grains, including whole grain breads, brown rice and beans, potatoes (particularly sweet potatoes) and fruits and vegetables.

Keeping a Good Balance

• Meat, dairy, poultry, fish and healthy fats along with carbohydrates (nuts, breads, pasta, rice and potatoes), green leafy vegetables and fruits should all be included in the diabetic diet. The American Diabetes Association has established guidelines for the diabetic diet to include the following:

Choose a variety of foods that are nutrient-dense from the basic food groups.

Eat fruits and vegetables that are fiber-rich.

Diabetics should have 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit daily.

At least half the grains in a diabetic diet should be whole grains.

Minimize the amount of saturated fats and trans fatty acids consumed by choosing lean meats and poultry, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products.

Eat fewer than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.

Diabetic nephropathy is the term used to describe kidney damage caused by the progressive effect of diabetes Roughly 25 to 40 percent of individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes also suffer from nephropathy's effects. Approximately five to 15 percent of non-insulin-dependent diabetes patients also suffer this form of kidney damage. As with other diabetes complications, dietary control is an important factor in limiting the damage caused by diabetic nephropathy.

1.                                                           Detection

o                                                                According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you suffer from diabetic nephropathy, the definitive marker of your condition is the presence of abnormally high amounts of the blood protein albumin in your urine. This condition is known as macroalbuminruria. Your doctor may also detect other signs of kidney degradation, including abnormal results of tests that measure your ability to excrete certain waste products in your urine. As your kidney damage worsens, you may experience symptoms including high blood pressure (hypertension), swelling in your ankles or legs, itching, weakness, decrease in your red blood cells (anemia), nausea, vomiting and an increase in urination, especially at night.

Sodium

o                                                                Diet affects the progress of your diabetic nephropathy in two main ways. First, your condition can make you extremely sensitive to sodium, and your daily sodium intake can have serious effects on your level of hypertension. Minimizing your daily sodium can help you meet hypertension goals set by your doctor, and can also significantly lower your risk for stroke. Additional benefits include decreases in any abnormal enlargement of your heart muscle caused by hypertension (a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy), as well as a decrease in the protein in your urine. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic recommend a daily sodium intake of 2.3 grams or lower.

Protein

o                                                                Excess protein consumption can also worsen the effects of your diabetic nephropathy. This is true because the breakdown of proteins in your body creates a relatively large amount of waste that must be excreted through your urine. When added to the excessive protein content in your urine triggered by nephropathy, large amounts of dietary protein can potentially increase your rate of kidney degradation. To keep your nephropathy under control, you may need to lower your protein intake to a daily range between 0.8 grams for every kilogram of your body weight and 0.6 grams per kilogram. You may also need to avoid the use of any protein supplement products. Consult your doctor for specific guidelines on protein restriction.

Diabetes

o                                                                Beyond the particular dietary requirements of diabetic nephropathy, you will also need to follow a general dietary plan to manage your diabetes. In particular, you will need to eat a combination of carbohydrates, fat and protein that allows you to properly control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If you take insulin to treat your diabetes, you may need to adjust your daily insulin dosages based on your food intake. Consult your doctor for the details of food's  value to diabetes and insulin use. You may also consult a nutritionist for help in proper meal planning and sodium and protein control.