The autumn winds are bleak, and the weather is turning cooler. The warm and heat-dispersing yangrou (羊肉, lamb) has become one of the preferred foods for many people.
For patients with kidney disease, consuming lamb in moderation can also be beneficial for health.
Blood Nourishing Expert
Lamb (lean meat) is rich in heme iron (血红素铁), which is easily absorbed by the human body and can prevent the occurrence of anemia.
Iron is a primary material for blood production, and iron deficiency anemia is a common complication for kidney disease patients. Kidney patients can consume lamb in moderation to increase hemoglobin levels and improve symptoms such as cold hands and feet, fatigue, and poor complexion caused by anemia in winter.
Additionally, the abundant vitamin B12 in lamb is crucial for maintaining normal nervous system function and blood production. The high-quality protein, along with minerals such as zinc and selenium in lamb, also helps enhance the immune system of kidney patients.
Some people may have heard that lamb is a “trigger food” and should not be consumed by kidney patients.In fact, the term “trigger food” is a folk definition, often based on individual allergic reactions to certain foods or historical sanitation issues leading to food contamination.If you are allergic to lamb and experience rashes or itching, then it is best to avoid it.However, other kidney patients who are not allergic can eat lamb; there is no need to demonize it, as it is simply a healthy food.
Kidney Patients Eating Lamb Should Avoid the Soup
1. Do not drink lamb soup or eat lamb offal.
Stewed lamb is a commonly recommended “nourishing” method, which is suitable for kidney patients, but it is essential to note: we kidney patients should eat meat, but not drink the soup.
Many people believe that the essence is in the soup, but this is a misconception! Especially with slow-cooked rich meat soups, a large amount of purines, fats, phosphorus, and potassium dissolve into the soup. If kidney patients consume too much meat soup, it can lead to elevated uric acid, blood lipids, potassium, and phosphorus levels.
This is particularly important for those already suffering from high uric acid, high blood lipids, or kidney failure/uremia/dialysis; eating meat without the soup can help reduce potassium, phosphorus, and purines.
Moreover, lamb offal (internal organs) has a much higher purine content than the meat itself, and it is not recommended for kidney patients.
2. Prefer lean meat and limit fatty meat!
Fatty meat contains lower protein and higher fat content, and excessive intake of saturated fatty acids can lead to elevated blood lipids, which is detrimental to kidney and cardiovascular health.
3. Limit consumption of grilled lamb skewers!
Barbecue, especially when grilled over charcoal, produces various carcinogenic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines. Additionally, barbecued meats are often marinated or processed, which can lead to excessive salt content!Many studies have observed that frequent consumption of processed meats increases the risk of colon cancer and uremia.
Therefore, kidney patients should try to eat fresh lamb and limit processed meats like grilled lamb skewers!
4. Choose fresh and hygienic lamb; food safety is paramount!
Moderation, moderation, moderation!
Finally, we remind all friends:Although lamb has many benefits, it is still a high-protein food for kidney disease patients, and excessive protein intake can increase the burden on the kidneys. Therefore, kidney patients should consume lamb in moderation, with each serving being about the size of a palm (approximately 100 grams).
For kidney friends with impaired kidney function (glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min) who are not on dialysis, it is recommended to consume only 50 grams of lamb.
For those who love lamb, give a thumbs up to Kidney Health before saying goodbye~
References:1. Chinese Food Composition Table (2nd Edition).2. Protein Nutrition and Malnutrition in CKD and ESRD. Nutrients. 2017.
Click the image below to follow, view, and search all historical articles from Kidney Health☟☟
