The kidneys are hard-working organs. Even when under heavy burden, they do not send obvious signals to their “owner” for relief. Only when they can no longer function properly do symptoms appear—by which time kidney damage is already severe.
This is why many people with diabetes only discover kidney damage when they have reached advanced diabetic kidney disease.
About 30%–40% of people with diabetes may develop diabetic kidney disease.All people with diabetes are advised to take preventive measures to protect their kidneys.
- Dark-Colored Vegetables Rich in Carotene
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease (2024 Edition), eating dark-colored vegetables rich in carotene can slow the decline of kidney function and protect the kidneys.
Dark vegetables include non-white, light-colored vegetables in green, red, yellow, orange, purple, etc.: Dark green vegetables: spinach, rapeseed, celery leaves, water spinach, lettuce leaves, Chinese chives, broccoli, crown daisy, radish greens, mustard greens, watercress
Orange-yellow vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, bell peppers, red chili peppers
Red-purple-black vegetables: red or purple amaranth, purple cabbage, red flowering kale
It is recommended that more than half of total vegetable intake be dark-colored vegetables for people with diabetes.
- Dark-Colored Fruits Rich in Carotene
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease (2024 Edition), eating dark-colored fruits rich in carotene can slow the decline of kidney function and protect the kidneys.
Dark fruits include non-white, light-colored fruits in green, red, yellow, orange, purple, etc.: Dark green fruits: kiwi
Yellow fruits: oranges, pomelo, cantaloupe
Red-purple-black fruits: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelon, mulberries, groundcherries, etc.
Studies have found that people with type 2 diabetes who ate fruits more than 3 days per week had a 31% lower risk of developing diabetic kidney disease, compared with those who ate fruits less than 1 day per week.
People with diabetes are advised to eat fruits in moderation when blood glucose is stable, and include them in total daily energy intake.
- Nuts
Nuts contain beneficial long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can improve insulin sensitivity and help control blood glucose.Unsaturated fats also help slow vascular calcification and reduce lipotoxic damage to glomerular cells, thus protecting the kidneys.
Recommended intake for people with diabetes:50–70 grams of nuts per week, about 10 grams per day on average.
Choices include:peanuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, pine nuts, etc.
Other Recommended Methods to Protect the Kidneys Improve unhealthy lifestyle: maintain a healthy weight, follow a diabetic diet, quit smoking, exercise appropriately, etc.
Achieve blood glucose targets: effective blood glucose control delays the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease.
Achieve blood pressure targets: proper antihypertensive treatment delays the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease.
Correct dyslipidemia: bring total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C up to standard.
For early detection of kidney damage, people with diabetes are advised to be screened at least once a year for these 3 items:
Routine urinalysis
Urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR)
Serum creatinine (venous blood test)If kidney damage has already occurred, follow your doctor’s advice for active treatment to slow disease progression.