As a doctor, I’m frequently asked about what to eat or avoid when on a kidney diet. Many people struggle to handle the dietary restrictions following a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). But, the truth is that these nutritional modifications are often necessary because high amounts of certain nutrients can hurt your kidney and other organs in your body. So, can you eat yam on a CKD diet?
With kidney dysfunction, potassium and phosphate can build up and reach dangerously high levels. This is why your doctor may limit the consumption of potassium-rich and phosphate-rich foods like yams. This article looks at the place of yams in a CKD diet plan.
Are yams bad for the kidneys?
Yams are tubers commonly eaten in many African homes. They contain many complex carbohydrates and are a great energy source. Yams are also rich in potassium and phosphate. Furthermore, they provide the body with manganese, copper, iron, and vitamins A,B,C and E.
So, yams are not necessarily bad for the kidneys. But if your kidneys have difficulty keeping your potassium levels in check, you would need to cut down on eating them.
Although potassium is an essential mineral that helps with nerve and muscle health, at high levels, it makes the muscles of the heart misfire. It can even lead to death.
Phosphates are also vital minerals that help with energy production, bone health and many biological processes in the body. In high amounts, they impact bone and cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, people with CKD are at risk of developing high phosphate levels. This is why doctors monitor your phosphate levels. They may use drugs called phosphate binders to keep your phosphate levels within normal range since phosphates are present in a lot of foods.
Should all patients with CKD limit yam intake?
No. Not everyone who has CKD has to restrict their yam intake. Your diet plan depends on your metabolic profile. For example, some individuals with CKD have perfectly normal potassium levels. Some people even have low potassium levels. Such people do not need to lower their consumption of potassium.
Your diet plan also depends on the stage of the disease. For example, you can eat yams if you have stage 2 CKD with normal potassium and phosphate levels.
However, you need to have regular blood work to monitor your levels. This is because your metabolic profile can change over time. A person with low potassium can evolve to develop high potassium levels, especially as kidney function worsens. People who make little urine or take medications like ACEi (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and spironolactone are at higher risk of potassium buildup.
How to lower the potassium content of yam.
There are ways to lower the potassium content of yams. Doing this may allow you to eat them sparingly. But these methods are not fool-proof as they don’t remove all the potassium in the yam.
Double cooking:
This is one of the most effective methods for reducing potassium in tubers. When scientists compared potassium removal using different methods, they found that double cooking leached more potassium than normal cooking methods. Double-cooking potatoes also showed similar results in another study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition. To double cook, peel and slice your yams. Next, you wash them and put them in a pot. Add enough water to cover it and bring it to a boil. Drain out the water. Then add fresh water and finish cooking.
Soaking:
Soaking yams in water, a method called leaching, can help reduce potassium and phosphate content. To use the soaking method, peel and cut the yam into smaller pieces. Rinse them and soak them in warm water for at least two hours. If you soak for longer, you should change the water every four hours. That way, you pour out the water containing the leached minerals and soak in fresh water for some more potassium and phosphate to seep out.
This soaking method can slow the cooking process, so you need to put some thought into your meals. For example, if you plan to have yams for dinner, you can start prepping in the morning or afternoon. By soaking in the morning, you give enough time for the leaching process before cooking.
Best yam recipes for a CKD diet
Because most of the potassium and phosphates leach into the water used for cooking, yam porridge is not a good recipe for those on a low-potassium diet.
You should consider white yam with sauce or vegetables. For your sauce, you may want to use bell peppers instead of tomatoes since they are low in potassium. Try this recipe below.
Yam and sauce recipe
Ingredients: Yam, onions, garlic, bell peppers (red, yellow and green), habanero pepper, and vegetable oil.
- Cook your yam using the double cooking method described above. Remember to cut your yam into small bits, as this allows for better leaching of the potassium and phosphates. Don’t salt the yam.
- Slice your onions, bell peppers and habanero pepper.
- Grate your garlic.
- To a non-stick pan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Allow it to heat for 30 seconds.
- Throw in your onions and garlic. Stir for thirty seconds.
- Add your peppers and stir fry. You can add a tiny pinch of salt or a non-salt seasoning.
- Stir and turn off the heat.
- There! Your meal is ready.
Bottom line
Yams are healthy and a great source of carbohydrates, potassium and phosphate. But, if you have CKD and difficulty balancing potassium and phosphates, yams may not be the best meal for you. There are processing methods that can allow you to have the occasional yam. But, for now, the double cooking method is the best.
