THE RENAL DIET FOR KIDNEY HEALTH: WHAT TO EAT AND AVOID

Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND

The renal diet is an eating plan that promotes kidney health and slows kidney damage. The kidneys are a pair of organs that reabsorb nutrients from the diet and filter out waste. A person’s diet affects kidney health and how hard the kidneys need to work. 

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may benefit from working with a dietitian and following the renal diet. The renal diet limits foods high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein.

How the Diet Works

The renal diet aims to promote kidney health and slow kidney damage by providing a healthy balance of calories, vitamins, minerals, and proteins. This eating plan can help to control the buildup of waste and extra fluid in the blood. This takes stress off of the kidneys because there is less waste to remove from the blood. 

People who follow the renal diet to treat their kidney disease may experience slowed disease progression, increased energy levels, improved muscle strength, and a lower risk of infection. People who follow the renal diet limit foods that are rich in:

• Certain electrolytes (charged molecules such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus)
• Liquid
• Protein

Related: 29 Foods to Avoid With Kidney Disease

Nutrients to Watch for If You Have Kidney Disease

Some electrolytes and nutrients in the diet affect fluid and waste buildup in the blood. Nutrients that cause the body to retain fluids put stress on the kidneys. People with kidney disease may need to limit the following nutrients:

• Sodium: Too much sodium in the diet can cause fluid buildup in the body, leading to high blood pressure and swelling. 
• Potassium: Potassium affects fluid balance in the blood.
• Phosphorus: As kidney function worsens, phosphorus builds up in the blood, weakening the bones. 
• Protein: Large amounts of protein can be stressful to the kidneys.

What to Eat

The renal diet provides a healthy way of eating that promotes both kidney and heart health. People following the renal diet consume the following types of foods:

• Fruits and vegetables 
• A moderate amount of lean protein 
• Herbs and spices as seasonings to replace salt and potassium-containing salt substitutes (used in amounts appropriate for seasoning rather than as supplements)
• Some low-fat dairy products (may need to be limited, discuss with healthcare provider)

Related: Using the DASH Diet for Kidney Disease

Limiting What You Eat

Most people following the renal diet do not need to completely remove certain food groups from their diets. Rather, it is important to be mindful of portion sizes and how often you eat foods that require the kidneys to work harder. 

Many people with chronic kidney disease need to limit saturated and trans fats in their diets. Animal products rich in saturated fats include butter, lard, red meat, and whole milk. Trans fats are usually found in processed foods like store-bought cookies, french fries, and doughnuts. Trans fats are also found in hydrogenated vegetable oils. 

Sodium

Sodium is an electrolyte found in table salt and processed foods. Most healthy adults need to limit their sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day. 

When a person has kidney disease, their kidneys stop functioning normally. As the kidneys lose the ability to control the sodium-water balance in the body, it is important to consume less sodium.  Eating a low-salt diet lowers blood pressure and reduces fluid buildup and swelling.

To cut back on sodium in your diet, opt for fresh, homemade foods. Look for food labels that say “low sodium” and limit restaurant meals. To add flavor to your meals without salt, try new herbs, spices, mustards, and flavors of vinegar. 

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that keeps the bones and teeth strong. When the kidneys are not functioning normally, they cannot remove extra phosphorus from the blood, and the mineral builds up in the blood. When there is too much phosphorus in the blood, it can pull calcium from the bones, weakening the bones. 

Too much phosphorus in the blood may also damage the blood vessels, eyes, and heart. Phosphorus can be found in meat, dairy, beans, nuts, whole grain breads, and dark-colored sodas. Foods that are naturally low in phosphorus include fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, and corn cereals. 

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral essential for nerve and muscle health. It also plays a key role in heart health. When the kidneys are damaged, they do not remove potassium from the blood. Too much potassium in the blood can lead to heart problems. 

Foods high in potassium include oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, and whole-grain bread. Apples, carrots, and white bread are naturally low in potassium. Some medications can increase your potassium levels. Review your list of your current medications with your healthcare provider to determine if any changes are needed. 

Protein

Protein is an essential nutrient for building muscle and repairing tissues in the body. When the body breaks down protein, it creates waste that the kidneys need to remove. Eating a diet rich in protein in excess of what your body needs can be stressful for the kidneys. 

Protein is present in both animal products and plants. Protein-rich foods include red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based protein sources include grains, beans, and nuts. 

What to Avoid

People following the renal diet need to limit foods that are rich in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, fat, and fluids. They may also want to avoid calorie-dense foods that provide few nutrients. 

Consider avoiding the following foods when following the renal diet:

• Dark-colored sodas and fruit punch (which may have added phosphorus) 
• Fast food 
• Packaged foods
• Table salt 
• Alcoholic beverages

Benefits and Risks

The renal diet is an eating plan rich in healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. It is known to promote kidney health and slow the progression of kidney disease. The renal diet may improve energy levels in people with chronic kidney disease. 

The renal diet is safe for most people with kidney disease. However, this eating plan limits certain nutrients that are essential for health. The body needs sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein. Completely cutting these nutrients out of your diet would cause health problems. 

When your protein intake is too low, you may lose muscle mass and become weaker. If you are currently receiving dialysis treatment, your healthcare team may recommend eating more protein because dialysis removes it from the blood. Talk with your healthcare providers and dietitians to determine the right balance of protein and minerals in your diet. 

Who Is the Diet Right For?

The renal diet is usually right for people with CKD or any chronic health condition that affects kidney function. It may also be helpful for people with diabetes. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States with diabetes also has chronic kidney disease. 

Other Renal Diet Tips

The renal diet promotes fresh, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and some lean proteins. Helpful tips for getting started with the renal diet include:

• Cook your meals from scratch as often as you are able. 
• Enjoy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. 
• When cooking with canned beans or vegetables, rinse them first to lower the sodium content. 
• Choose unprocessed meats and poultry instead of processed kinds. 
• Grill, bake, roast, or sauté your meals instead of frying them. 
• Add flavor to your meals with fresh herbs and spices. 
• Limit the amount of alcohol and soda you consume. 
• Track your water intake as people with advanced kidney disease may need to monitor their fluid intake. 

Summary 

The renal diet is an eating plan that promotes kidney health and slows kidney damage. It has been proven to slow disease progression in people with chronic kidney disease. 

The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the abdomen. They are responsible for absorbing nutrients from the diet and filtering out waste and extra fluid from the blood. The diet affects kidney health and function. 

People with kidney disease or damage may need to limit the amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein in their diets. Talk with your healthcare provider about meeting with a dietitian to develop the right renal diet for you and your unique health needs. Following the renal diet can slow kidney disease progression, lower the risk of complications, and increase quality of life. 

Read the original article on Verywell Health

2025-01-02T18:01:36Z