Urological Health Chronic Kidney Disease Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease By Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD LinkedIn Lindsey Desoto is a licensed, registered dietitian and experienced medical writer. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 02, 2022 Medically reviewed by Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD Medically reviewed by Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD LinkedIn Ashley Baumohl, MPH, RD, is a board-certified dietician who provides medical nutrition therapy at Lenox Hill Hospital. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Diet and Kidney Disease Nutrients to Monitor Protein and Fluid Intake Foods to Avoid Grocery List Sample Day of Eating Frequently Asked Questions In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to filter excess water and waste out of your blood as they should. Early detection of kidney disease combined with dietary and lifestyle changes can help you prevent or delay the progression to kidney failure. This article provides a basic guide of dietary habits and foods that support kidney health to help people with kidney disease. Jonathan Kirn / Getty Images Diet and Kidney Disease In addition to filtering water and waste, your kidneys also work to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood. There is no "best" diet that fits everyone with kidney disease. However, it's important to eat a low-sodium diet that includes: FruitsVegetablesWhole grainsLegumes (including beans, peas, and lentils)Lean protein For stages 1 and 2 kidney disease, you may have very few or no restrictions on what you eat or drink. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is commonly recommended to people with early stages of kidney disease. The DASH diet is low in sodium, added sugar, saturated fat, and red meat, which most people with stage 1 or 2 kidney disease should avoid. Some people may be instructed to limit protein intake as well. In addition to limiting protein, as kidney function declines, you may need to reduce your intake of foods high in potassium and phosphorus. You may also need to watch your fluid intake. A healthcare provider and dietitian will closely monitor your blood test results and guide you on which nutrients to limit. A dietitian will also keep track of your weight to help you stay within a healthy weight range and avoid loss of muscle mass. Nutrients to Monitor Sodium Normally, kidneys work to control the amount of sodium in the body. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, the extra sodium can lead to fluid buildup, high blood pressure, and swelling. Eating a low-sodium diet can help lower your blood pressure and slow down the progression of kidney disease. How Much Sodium Should I Eat Each Day? Healthy people should limit their sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day. Those with kidney disease or high blood pressure (hypertension) should consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day. Potassium During the early stages of kidney disease, you may not need to limit potassium. However, as kidney function declines, your healthcare provider may tell you to limit the amount of potassium you eat daily. Many foods we eat contain potassium, which the body uses to maintain essential functions. Potassium helps your muscles work, including the muscles that control your heartbeat. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. The kidneys excrete extra potassium. When the kidneys are not functioning correctly, potassium builds up, leaving too much potassium in the blood. High levels of potassium in the blood, or hyperkalemia, can lead to an irregular heartbeat or heart attack. Phosphorus Phosphorus is another mineral that can build up in the blood when your kidneys aren’t working well. When phosphorus builds up in the blood, it pulls calcium from the bones, weakening them. Over time, this can lead to bone disease and an increased risk for a fracture or bone break. High phosphorus levels in the blood can also lead to itchy skin, bone pain, and joint pain. Protein and Fluid Intake Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight off infection. When a person with healthy kidneys eats protein-rich foods like meat and dairy, it breaks down into waste within the body and is filtered out by the kidneys. When the kidneys aren't functioning properly, they have difficulty removing the extra waste from extra protein. The amount of protein a person with kidney disease needs varies based on: Body sizeProgression of kidney diseaseAmount of protein found in the urine Most people with stage 1 or 2 kidney disease should limit their protein intake to 0.8 grams per kilogram of their ideal body weight. To slow the progression of stages 3–5 kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) guidelines recommend: An adult without diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.55–0.60 grams per kilogram of body weight per day under close medical supervision. An adult with diabetes who is metabolically stable to restrict protein to 0.06–0.08 grams per kilogram of body weight to promote glycemic control and maintain stable nutritional status. Most people will not need to restrict fluid intake during early kidney disease (stages 1 and 2). However, as the disease progresses, you may need to limit the liquid you consume because your kidneys cannot remove excess fluid. This can lead to fluid buildup in the body, causing a strain on the heart and swelling throughout the body. It's important to get enough protein to maintain optimal health and prevent muscle wasting. It's also important to stay hydrated and drink enough water. Be sure to speak with a kidney healthcare provider or renal dietitian to discuss the amount of protein and fluid you need each day. Foods to Limit With Kidney Disease Depending on the amount of kidney function you have left, you may need to limit or avoid certain foods. Everyone with kidney disease should avoid high-sodium foods. Depending on your blood test, a healthcare provider may also instruct you to limit foods high in potassium and phosphorus. Foods high in sodium: Packaged foodsCanned foodsHam, bacon, sausage, or lunch meatPickled foodsPizzaPotato chipsSeasoned rice or pastaSoy sauce, ketchup, and other condiments Foods high in potassium: Grapefruit juiceBananasPotatoesMilkYogurtSalt substitutesDried beansCooked greensPrune juiceMelon Foods high in phosphorus: Deli meatProcessed cheeseDark colasPancakesCornbreadPastriesMilkFrozen yogurt Renal Diet Grocery List Fortunately, there are still many foods that a person with kidney disease can eat. This list combines all of the foods that are safe to eat for most people following a renal diet. Vegetables AsparagusBell peppersCabbageCeleryKaleLettuceBroccoliGreen peasGreen beansCornMushroomsIceberg lettuceCarrotsZucchiniOkraCucumberEggplantGarlicOnionsCauliflower Fruits ApplesCranberriesBlueberriesRaspberriesStrawberriesCherriesMandarin orangesRed grapesPeachesPearsLemon/LimePineapplePlums Protein Lean chicken and turkey without the skinEggs or egg substitutesSeafoodNutsTofuLean beefPork (avoid sausage, bacon, and hotdogs)BeansLow-fat dairy Starches White riceFlour tortillasWhite or sourdough breadDinner rollUnsalted popcornBagelsRice cakesWafflesEnglish muffinGritsUnsalted crackersPasta Beverages CoffeeUnsweetened teaApple juiceGrape juiceClear sodasLemonadeWater or sparkling waterGreen tea Sample Day of Eating Here's a look at a sample day of eating on a renal diet. Breakfast: 1 boiled egg1/2 cup 1% milk1 cup of Chex cereal1/2 cup of blueberries1/2 cup of coffee Snack: 3 cups unsalted popcornHandful of nuts or seedsLemonade Lunch: 2 slices of white bread2 ounces roasted white turkey2 teaspoons light mayo1/2 cup coleslaw1/2 cup peachesWater Snack: 1 pouch or can of low-sodium tuna1 individual packet of low-fat mayonnaise Dinner: 3 ounces baked chicken1 cup white rice2 tablespoons unsalted gravy1 cup mixed vegetables1 slice angel food cakeWater, apple juice, or other kidney-friendly beverage Summary Early detection and lifestyle modifications, such as diet changes, can delay or prevent the progression of kidney disease. For early kidney disease, most people will only have to watch their sodium and protein intake while eating a well-balanced diet. Those with advanced kidney disease may need to avoid other nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and excess fluid. Be sure to closely work with a healthcare team and registered dietitian to develop a meal plan tailored to your individual nutritional needs and preferences. A Word From Verywell Making dietary changes can be difficult and frustrating at times. Fortunately, most of the time, you can still enjoy the foods that you love and fit them into your kidney diet. A dietitian can guide and support you throughout your journey by working with you to improve your health and decrease the workload on your kidneys. Frequently Asked Questions What are the best foods for kidney health? It's important to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep your kidneys healthy. Some foods to support healthy kidneys include eggs, lean meats, berries, apples, and cauliflower. What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys? The best beverage to drink for your kidneys is water. Other good options for a person with kidney disease are unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, clear sodas, or sparkling water. What dietary changes should be made after a kidney transplant? Following a kidney transplant, you should limit salty and sugary foods. It's also important to eat enough protein and stay hydrated. Learn More: What to Expect From a Kidney Transplant 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Kidney Foundation. Chronic kidney disease: symptoms and causes. National Kidney Foundation. Nutrition and early kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation. Nutrition and kidney disease, stages 1-4. National Kidney Foundation. Sodium and your CKD diet. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Nutrition for advanced chronic kidney disease in adults. National Kidney Foundation. Potassium and your CKD diet. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating right for chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. Understanding the renal diet: protein. Ikizler TA, Burrowes JD, Byham-Gray LD, et al. KDOQI clinical practice guideline for nutrition in ckd: 2020 update. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2020;76(3):S1-S107 doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.05.006 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Nutrition for advanced chronic kidney disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and kidney disease: what to eat?. American Kidney Fund. Top 5 healthy drinks for people with kidney disease. By Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD Lindsey Desoto is a registered dietitian with experience working with clients to improve their diet for health-related reasons. She enjoys staying up to date on the latest research and translating nutrition science into practical eating advice to help others live healthier lives. 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