Diet for Kidney Disease

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To limit phosphorus:

  • Limit your phosphorus intake to 800 to 1000 mg a day.
  • Limit your intake of dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, or ice cream.
  • Avoid nuts, peanut butter, seeds, lentils, peas, and beans.
  • Avoid drinks such as beer, cola drinks, and cocoa.

To limit potassium:

  • Ask your doctor if it is all right to use a salt substitute. Some people with kidney disease need to limit their potassium intake.
  • Use lemon, herbs, and other spices to flavor your meals. Most commercially available salt substitutes are very high in potassium.

If you are having trouble keeping your weight up, keep the following in mind:

  • You may eat bread, tortillas, and cereals, but avoid bran breads or cereals. Do not eat pretzels, chips, or other salted snack foods.
  • You may use margarine, oil, and mayonnaise to add calories to your diet. Vegetable oils like olive oil, canola oil, or safflower oil are the healthiest choices.
  • Unless you have diabetes, you may use honey and sugar to increase energy and add calories.
  • It is important to continue to eat meals and snacks at regular times.

If you are overweight:

  • Limit the amount of calories you take in daily.
  • Increase your overall physical activity.

References

Other Works Consulted

  • Curhan GC, Mitch WE (2008). Diet and kidney disease. In BM Brenner, SA Levine, eds., Brenner and Rector's The Kidney, 8th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1817–1847. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

  • Kopple JD (2006). Nutrition, diet, and the kidney. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 10th ed., pp. 1475–1511. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

  • Wilkens KG, Juneja V (2008). Medical nutrition therapy for renal disorders. In LK Mahan, S Escott-Stump, eds., Krause’s Food and Nutrition Therapy, 12th ed., pp. 921–958. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Author: Jeannette Curtis
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology
Last Updated: September 17, 2009

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