Breakfast itself may be hurting kidney health, according to U.S. dietitians who singled out four common morning foods: protein shakes, packaged breakfast sandwiches, processed meats and sweetened smoothie bowls.
The warnings came from Melanie Betz, a kidney stone dietitian and founder of The Kidney Dietitian, and Lyndsey Duschamp of Vital Kidney Nutrition, a renal dietitian, who spoke to U.S. media outlets earlier this month. The two pointed to specific grab-and-go items that busy mornings often invite, flagging ingredients that place a burden on the kidneys.
Protein shakes are popular as a breakfast substitute because they offer an easy way to add protein. Depending on the product, however, some contain high levels of sodium, phosphorus and added sugar. Patients with chronic kidney disease need to manage their intake of protein, phosphorus and sodium, making it important to check nutrition labels.
Ready-made sandwiches filled with bacon, sausage and cheese were also named as items to watch. Their high sodium and saturated fat content can raise blood pressure when consumed in excess, and high blood pressure is considered a risk factor for declining kidney function. Processed meats such as bacon and sausage are themselves high in sodium and contain additives such as phosphates, which can strain the kidneys.
Smoothie bowls made with fruit are no safer. Store-bought versions and yogurt often contain added sugars such as sugar and syrup, which can affect blood sugar and weight management and may be linked over the long term to risk factors for kidney disease such as diabetes, the two dietitians said.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Koreans consumed an average of 3,136 milligrams of sodium a day in 2023, or 1.6 times the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 2,000 milligrams. That is down 34.5% from 4,789 milligrams in 2011, before sodium reduction policies took effect, but still far above the recommended level. That is why diets need attention in the morning hours, when processed foods and meals eaten out are on the rise.
The alternative recommended by the two dietitians is food cooked at home. Plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts, seeds, lentils and whole grains are rich in dietary fiber and beneficial for kidney health, they said. They also recommended eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking water frequently.
