Nutrition for Kidney Disease: Kidney-Friendly Diet Tips

Working in a health and fitness role exposes me to a variety of clients. A thorough intake and monitoring process can help identify each one’s challenges and concerns. It can also reveal whether modifications are needed to better support any medical issues. Based on the numbers, one condition that I’ve encountered is chronic kidney disease. 

Kidney Disease is Incredibly Common in the U.S.

More than one in seven adult Americans are thought to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What’s even more surprising is that roughly nine in 10 adults aren’t aware that they have it. They may not feel the effects until the disease is advanced. So, some of individuals might have CKD and not even know it.

Also referred to as renal disease, this condition causes kidney damage. The damage to these organs prevents them from effectively removing toxins from the body. CKD can also cause the body to hold onto excess fluid. This is because the kidneys are partially responsible for balancing the body’s fluids. 

When the kidneys don’t work as they should, this increases a person’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. CKD progression can also lead to kidney failure. At this point, peritoneal dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed. Renal failure can also potentially result in early death.

How Diet Impacts Kidney Disease

The foods a person eats can affect kidney function. One of the best-known examples of this is kidney stones. Harvard Medical School shares that consuming high-oxalate foods can lead to stone development. This includes beets, spinach, nuts, and chocolate. Eating too much red meat and other animal proteins can also lead to a kidney stone by raising uric acid levels.

Because the kidneys help control blood pressure, diet can either help or hinder this process. Take in too much sodium and blood pressure may become elevated. If kidney function is decreased, the body can struggle even more to keep blood pressure in check. It becomes harder to control due to both disease and diet. 

Diet can also impact kidney function via its effects on other types of disease. For instance, the Mayo Clinic reports that one of the risk factors for kidney disease is diabetes. Research indicates that a poor diet can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Since diabetes increases the risk of CKD, following a healthy diet can help lower this risk.

Nutrition for Kidney Disease

A client’s dietary needs can change based on the CKD stage. There are five stages of kidney damage, each of which is determined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A lower eGFR signifies greater kidney damage or more advanced CKD. The less the kidneys are able to do on their own, the more important the diet becomes to limit the build-up of toxins and excess fluids.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) suggests that individuals with kidney disease follow three nutritional guidelines:

  • Keep daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams or less. Following this advice helps with blood pressure control. 

  • Watch your protein intake. Processing dietary protein increases waste. This waste forces the kidneys to do more work. For CKD patients, their kidneys may not be able to keep up with an increased demand.

  • Eat heart-healthy foods. The NIDDKD also recommends that people with kidney disease eat foods that are good for the heart. This helps keep fat from building up in the kidneys, as well as within the circulatory system. 

Those with advanced kidney disease may benefit from two additional recommendations:

  • Choose foods low in phosphorus. When kidney disease is advanced, phosphorus levels can increase. High phosphorus levels cause calcium to be pulled from the bones, making them weak.

  • Monitor your potassium consumption. Phosphorus isn’t the only nutrient impacted by kidney disease. Potassium is another. And if your potassium gets too high, it can lead to heart issues.

These guidelines can serve as the basic foundation for a healthy renal diet, regardless of stage.

Foods That Can Negatively Affect Kidney Function

Individuals diagnosed with kidney disease benefit from learning which foods can impact how the kidney works. Since sodium is a concern, this includes packaged and processed foods. These items often include added salt to boost flavor. However, this also boosts sodium intake. 

Limiting boxed and canned foods can help keep sodium lower. Seasoning with herbs and spices versus salt is another option to consider. Cooking your own meals provides greater control over the sodium in your meals, making this a better alternative to eating out.

Foods high in fat—especially saturated fat and trans fat—can also negatively impact those with kidney disease. Reduce these fatty acids by selecting lean cuts of meat. It’s also helpful to choose healthier cooking methods. Bake, broil, and grill your foods versus frying them in fat.

While the body needs protein for muscle growth and repair, too much can be harmful to someone with kidney disease. Monitoring intake helps ensure that the body gets enough protein to support healthy function, yet not enough to cause more damage to the kidney.

The same is true for foods high in potassium and phosphorus. Once the kidney disease is advanced, these nutrients can build up in the blood. Thus, finding foods that contain lower amounts helps keep this from getting worse.   

Best Foods for Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

If you should avoid foods high in sodium and fat while potentially limiting protein, potassium, and phosphorus intake, you may be wondering what you should be eating instead. Here are a few items to consider, depending on your individual dietary recommendations:

  • To lower sodium intake: eat more whole, unprocessed foods; reduce sodium in canned and boxed food by buying low-sodium options; rinse canned vegetables to lower sodium content

  • When watching protein intake: balance high-protein and low-protein foods to stay within a healthy range based on your kidney function; choose high-quality proteins such as lean meat, eggs, and Greek yogurt to keep your fat intake lower

  • To reduce your dietary fat: consume lean meat and other heart-healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and beans

  • Foods low in phosphorus: (for those with more advanced disease) fruits, veggies, corn, and rice are all low in phosphorus

  • Foods low in potassium: (also for those with advanced kidney disease) apples, peaches, carrots, and green beans are low potassium food choices

Stay Within Your Scope of Practice

If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, a renal dietitian can provide nutritional guidance based on your health and disease severity. A health coach or nutrition specialist, offering medical advice is outside of their scope of practice so be sure to consult with a licensed physician. 

Working with a dietitian specializing in kidney disease helps those in which the disease is more advanced. This includes dialysis patients and those awaiting transplant. That said, you can still make changes for building better health habits. These suggestions can benefit all individuals, whether they have kidney disease or not.

References:

"Chronic Kidney Disease In The United States, 2021". 2021. Cdc.Gov. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/ckd-national-facts.html.

"5 Steps For Preventing Kidney Stones - Harvard Health". 2021. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-steps-for-preventing-kidney-stones-201310046721.

"Chronic Kidney Disease - Symptoms And Causes". 2021. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521.

Sami W, Ansari T, Butt NS, Hamid MRA. Effect of diet on type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2017;11(2):65-71.


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