Food IQ for People with Kidney Disease (2024)

As kidney function declines, protein waste and minerals become hard to remove, and diseased kidneys must work harder to get rid of them. Each person’s kidney diet prescription is different, but the main nutrients often limited in kidney diets include protein, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Read on for tips to enhance your kidney-friendly food IQ.

Wise up with water

Choose tap or plain bottled water, mineral water or flavored sparkling water. Specialty waters may be enhanced with sodium, potassium or phosphate additives.

Choose your brew

Home-brewed tea and homemade lemonade are ideal alternatives to water. Some bottled or canned beverages are loaded with phosphates, so it’s better to limit them.

Pick your poultry

Choose fresh poultry and pork. Many enhanced and pre-cooked products (including broth, nuggets and strips) contain greater amounts of sodium, phosphate and potassium additives.

Go organic

Make homemade low-sodium soup with organic or homemade stock.

Tap into your vegetarian side

Eat meatless meals or plan entrées that use modest amounts of meat to help reduce protein and thus added stress on your kidneys. Meatless meals typically have fewer saturated fats to boot, which is good news for your heart.

Some cheese, please

Select strong-flavored natural cheeses (such as sharp cheddar and feta) and limit the amount you eat to 1-2 ounces to help decrease your intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and phosphorus.

“A” is for antioxidants

Eat antioxidant-rich apples, berries, cherries, red grapes, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, onions and red bell peppers to help decrease chronic inflammation associated with kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Power up with protein

Choose egg whites and high omega-3 fish as your protein source. Regardless of your protein level, plan at least half from high-quality sources such as these to receive all the essential amino acids. Egg whites are very low in phosphorus; fish such as salmon, trout and tuna can help reduce inflammation associated with kidney and heart disease.

Trim the fat

Replace unhealthy fats such as shortening, animal fats and hydrogenated margarine with healthy fats, such as olive oil and trans fat–free margarine.

Food IQ for People with Kidney Disease (2024)

FAQs

What is the life expectancy of someone with chronic kidney disease? ›

For someone around 60, stage 1 stage 2 kidney disease life expectancy will be approximately 15 years. That figure falls to 13 years, 8 years, and 6 years in the second, third, and fourth stages of kidney disease, respectively.

What foods are bad for kidney creatinine levels? ›

Kapoor says a healthy diet can aid in lowering creatinine levels and one must avoid foods like red meat, salty meals, white bread, processed foods, sugary foods, caffeine, canned vegetables, and foods that may contain high quantities of protein if diagnosed with high levels of creatinine in the blood.

How much water should you drink a day with stage 3 kidney disease? ›

The National Kidney Foundation recommends for people with stages I and II chronic kidney disease (CKD) to consume 8 glasses of water per day and those with stages III, IV, and V CKD to limit water consumption. It is best to discuss your water and salt consumption with your doctor.

How long does it take to go from stage 4 to stage 5 kidney disease? ›

We found that participants with progressive CKD spent a median of 7.9 years in stage 3a, 5 years in stage 3b, 4.2 years in stage 4, and <1 year in stage 5.

Can drinking more water improve GFR? ›

Will Drinking Water Increase My GFR? Increasing your water intake likely won't affect your GFR in the long run. If your water intake is already at normal levels, drinking more won't slow your kidney disease. In fact, drinking too much water can be harmful.

What is poor man's dialysis? ›

Also referred to as prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) —and sometimes derided as "poor man's CRRT"—SLED is a hybrid form of dialysis that takes the best parts of intermittent hemodialysis and continuous RRT. Some of the goals of this modality are: 1.

What is an alarming GFR? ›

A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.

Can you live with 15% kidney function? ›

If your kidney function drops below 15 percent of normal, you are said to have kidney failure. You may have symptoms from the buildup of waste products and extra water in your body. To replace your lost kidney function, you may have one of three treatment options: hemodialysis.

Are bananas good for the kidneys? ›

Damaged kidneys build up potassium in the blood, resulting in serious heart problems. Potassium is present in bananas, other fruits and vegetables (such as potatoes, avocados and melons). People with advanced kidney disease are usually advised to avoid some fruits and vegetables, including bananas.

How many eggs can a kidney patient eat per day? ›

Most people with chronic kidney disease need between 60-70 grams of protein a day, which is the amount in about 7 ounces of meat or 10 large eggs. Individual protein needs will vary based on overall calories needs, activity level, and kidney function.

What improves kidney function? ›

Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Eat healthy meals, and cut back on salt and added sugars. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.

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