Basic Renal Diet - First Care Medical

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Medical Clinic
Basic Renal Diet
Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition where your kidneys are not working as well as what they used to.
When your kidneys are not working well, it is important to change what you eat and drink in order for
your kidneys to be happy and for you to feel better.
Fluids
Depending upon which stage of kidney disease you are in, your doctor may have you on medication to
help clear fluids, so you may not have to limit how much fluid you drink. However as kidney disease gets
worse, you doctor will tell you how much fluid to have per day.
Protein
Limit the amount of meat or other protein you eat to only 1 serving at each meal. Example 1 egg for
breakfast, ½ cup of tuna for lunch, and 1 piece of chicken for dinner. Different stages of kidney disease
require different restrictions to protein. Talk with your healthcare provider or dietitian to learn more.
Sodium and Blood Pressure
It is important to control your blood pressure if you have kidney disease, and watching your salt intake is
the first line of defense.
Too much salt intake can make you thirstier over they day, which can lead to fluid retention. Ideally you
want to stay below 3 grams (3,000 mg) per day. However, speak with your healthcare provider or dietitian
to learn about how much salt is recommended for you.
Avoid using all salt and salt substitutes. Salt substitutes (Lite Salt, No Salt Salt, Sea Salt) can still have
sodium or be very high in Potassium.
Potassium
High potassium levels can be dangerous to your heart. In chronic kidney disease, your potassium may or
may not be high. Because potassium is a mineral found in a lot of the foods we eat (fruits, vegetables,
dairy), it is important to talk with your health care team and know if you need to avoid it.
Phosphorus
High levels of phosphorus in the diet may be a sign your kidney disease is advancing and affecting your
bones. If your phosphorus continues to be high after monitoring your intake, talk with your healthcare
provider about a medication called a phosphorus binder.
Blood Sugar
High blood sugar can damage your kidneys. So if you are known to have diabetes or pre-diabetes it is very
important to monitor your carbohydrate intake and talk with your health care team or dietitian.
SAFE FOODS TO EAT
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Desserts
Vanilla Wafers • Graham Crackers
Beverages
(May be limited)
Apple Juice • Grape Juice
Cranberry Juice • Lemonade
Beef • Chicken • Fish
Sandwich Crackers
Peach nectar • Apricot nectar
Lamb • Turkey • Pork
Animal Crackers
Clear Soda or Root Beer
Veal • Eggs • Tofu
While or yellow cake
Kool Aid • Snapple
Angel Food Cake
Crystal Light • Coffee
Vegetables
Milk/Dairy
(Amount may be limited)
Broccoli • Cabbage • Carrots
Cauliflower • Celery • Corn
Cucumbers • Eggplant
Green Beans • Green Peas
Lettuce • Mushrooms
Whole, 2%, 1%, skim
Yogurt • Frozen yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Onions • Peppers • Radishes
Mozzarella Cheese
Turnips • Water Chestnuts
Swiss cheese • Cheddar Cheese
Zucchini • Summer Squash
Breads/Starches
White Bread • Pita Bread
Bagels • Dinner Rolls
English muffin • Plain Doughnut
Waffles (regular)
Pasta (noodles, spaghetti)
Rice • Tortilla and Taco Shells
Grits • Rice Cakes • Flour
Cooked or Dry Cereal
(without fruit, nuts, bran, or granola)
Unsalted popcorn, pretzels, or crackers
Fruits
(Fresh, Frozen, Canned)
Tea • Fruit Flavor Drinks
Calorie Boosters
Butter • Mayonnaise
Salad Dressing • Cooking Oil
Sour Cream • Cream Cheese
Non-dairy whipped topping
Non-dairy creamer
Jelly or jam/honey or syrup
Candy: hard, jelly beans,
mints, gumdrops,
taffy, lollipops
AVOID:
Apples • Applesauce
Blueberries • Cranberries
Processed/Seasoned or Salted Foods
Fruit Cocktail • Grapefruit
such as canned soups, seasoned
Grapes • Limes • Peaches
rice/pasta, potato chips, hot dogs
Pears • Pineapple • Plums
Tangerines • Watermelon