Are you a fan of All-You-Can-Eat buffets? Or fast food limited time promotions? If you have kidney disease or are prone to developing it, you may want to put down that bottomless bucket of fried chicken. Even ‘once in a blue moon’ could spell disaster for your kidney health. This astute observation comes to us out of Taiwan, a country with an alarming rate of kidney disease and a lot of all-you-can eat hot pot and buffet style eateries.

Susceptibility to kidney problems is compounded by factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and a family history of kidney disease. One such patient of noted Taipei City Hospital Zhongxiao Branch Division of Nephrology director Chen Ta-lung seemed to have his high blood pressure under control, until his excessive protein binges (in the form of excessive seafood and milk consumption) caught up with him and he developed chronic kidney disease.  Factors such as high blood pressure can make protein binges, especially frequent ones, a very dangerous habit for your kidneys. The average protein consumption rate recommended for people with healthy kidneys is between 0.8 and 1 g per pound of body weight, but for those with kidney disease this ratio should be limited to 0.6 to 0.8 g of protein per pound of body weight.

Instead of binging on protein-rich foods, kidney disease sufferers should opt for healthier snacks like vegetables or soy substitutes. A balanced diet is always paramount to preserving your kidneys, and for protein junkies bent on safeguarding their kidneys, it’s never too late to start opting for a vegetarian diet. Your kidneys will thank you!