Can patients with kidney dysfunction eat tofu?
Disease description:
A colleague at work has renal insufficiency. My mother made some tofu at home and wants to give some to her. I would like to ask, can patients with renal insufficiency eat tofu?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Guang
Patients with impaired kidney function can consume tofu in moderation.
Tofu is a high-quality plant protein food, rich in various amino acids. For patients with impaired kidney function, it can provide sufficient protein without increasing the burden on the kidneys. Tofu also contains abundant minerals such as calcium and zinc, which help maintain bone health.
When consuming tofu, patients with impaired kidney function should control the amount consumed, avoiding excessive intake to prevent additional strain on the kidneys. Additionally, patients should maintain dietary hygiene and avoid consuming expired or spoiled foods to prevent foodborne illnesses. Generally, patients with early-stage kidney dysfunction can consume moderate amounts of tofu, as plant proteins impose relatively less burden on the kidneys. However, as kidney function further declines into the uremic stage, the excretion of protein metabolites becomes impaired. At this point, total protein intake—including all sources, such as tofu—should be restricted.
In daily life, in addition to consuming moderate amounts of tofu, patients with impaired kidney function can choose other foods rich in vitamins, such as tangerines, oranges, and apples. Patients should also undergo regular kidney function examinations, follow medical advice for drug treatment, and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking and alcohol consumption and engaging in appropriate physical activity, to help preserve stable kidney function.
