[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/05\/renal-diet\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/05\/renal-diet\/","headline":"What to Eat on a Renal Diet","name":"What to Eat on a Renal Diet","description":"Following a renal diet requires some careful planning. These food lists and suggestions will help you prepare healthy, delicious, kidney-friendly foods.","datePublished":"2022-05-06","dateModified":"2024-09-03","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/072017BLG_PREVENTBURNSSTOVE.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/072017BLG_PREVENTBURNSSTOVE.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/05\/renal-diet\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Nutrition"],"wordCount":1097,"articleBody":"If you or a loved one must follow a renal (kidney) diet, you probably know meals and snacks require careful planning. You might also worry that a renal diet is daunting and leaves you with few options. But these food lists and suggestions will help you prepare healthy, delicious, kidney-friendly foods.What Is a Renal Diet?A renal diet supports healthy kidney function for those with kidney disease. Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs below your rib cage, on either side of your spine. They perform essential functions like:Filtering your blood.Maintaining fluid balance in your body.Removing waste through your urine.With kidney disease, your kidneys can\u2019t filter your blood the way they usually would. That allows too much sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein byproducts to build up in your blood. This buildup worsens kidney damage and causes your body to retain too much fluid.A renal diet is low in protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. It protects your kidneys so they don\u2019t have to work so hard and helps manage your body’s fluid levels.What Can You Eat on a Renal Diet?With a renal diet, it\u2019s best to eat fresh, whole foods rather than packaged, frozen, or canned foods. Whole foods are naturally lower in sodium and more nutritious, so they\u2019re healthier for your kidneys \u2014 and the rest of your body. With some planning, it\u2019s easy to prepare meals with a variety of lean protein foods and low-potassium fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.Protein choicesProtein is essential for healthy kidneys. But don\u2019t go overboard if your kidneys are unable to remove excess waste. It\u2019s usually OK to eat a small serving of protein at each meal. A dietitian can tell you if you should eat more or less.Some good protein options include:Eggs.Fish or seafood.Lean beef like sirloin or tenderloin.Skinless chicken or turkey.Tofu and beans, like kidney beans or lentils. Note that these are higher in potassium and phosphorus, so you may need to limit the portion size.Fruit and vegetable choicesMany fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. You might have to avoid them or eat small portions. It\u2019s best to work with a renal dietitian who can tell you what and how much to eat. Some tasty lower-potassium fruit and vegetable options include:ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesCabbageCherriesCucumbersEggplantGrapesGreen beansKaleLettucePineappleStrawberriesSweet peppersTangerinesZucchiniGrain and starch choicesWhole grains offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but many are high in potassium. You may need to limit your portion sizes and how often you eat whole grains. Some healthy, lower-potassium options include:BarleyBuckwheatBulgurUnsalted popcornWild riceWhite bread, pasta, or rice are lower in potassium than their whole-grain counterparts. Ask your dietitian if these are better options for you.Renal Diet Foods to AvoidMost snack foods and packaged or canned convenience foods are very high in sodium. The same is true with processed or seasoned meats and pickled vegetables. Read the nutrition facts label and choose foods with less than 240 mg of sodium per serving.You should avoid or limit these high-sodium foods:Canned soups or stews.Chips, crackers, pretzels, and salted popcorn.Deli meats and cheeses (unless they say \u201clow sodium\u201d), hot dogs, sausages, and bacon.Frozen, seasoned meats or fish like chicken strips or fish sticks.Packaged meals like frozen dinners or mac and cheese.Packaged seasoned rice or noodles.Pickles, olives, and pickled vegetables or relishes.Also, limit these high-potassium foods:Apricots.Bananas.Broccoli.Cantaloupe.Carrots.Chocolate.Dried fruits.Granola and bran cereals.Honeydew.Kiwi.Molasses.Nectarines.Nuts and nut butters.Oranges.Parsnips.Potatoes (white and sweet).Salt substitutes that contain potassium.Seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.Spinach.Tomatoes (and tomato sauce or juice).Winter squash.Finally, you may need to limit portions of these high-phosphorus foods and beverages on a renal diet:Beer.Cocoa.Dairy foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream.Dark soft drinks like colas or root beers.Dried beans like kidney, black, or pinto beans.Mushrooms.Oat milk and milk substitutes have become increasingly popular. Depending on the brand, oat milk can have up to 20% phosphorus.Renal Diet Cooking TipsIt\u2019s crucial to read food and ingredient labels and use renal diet grocery lists to identify foods you should avoid. For healthy meal and snack inspiration, you might want to invest in kidney-friendly cookbooks. Ask your dietitian for resources and recommendations.When cooking, try these tips to reduce sodium and potassium in your foods:Choose canned fruits packed in water instead of fresh fruit. Make sure you drain off the water before eating the fruit.Don\u2019t add salt or potassium chloride salt substitute when cooking or seasoning food. Instead, flavor your foods with fresh or dried herbs or salt-free herb blends. Onions, garlic, mustard, flavored vinegar, and citrus zest are also great flavor enhancers.To reduce potassium in foods like potatoes or winter squash, cut and soak them in a large amount of water. When you\u2019re ready to cook, drain the water and replace it with fresh water before boiling.When choosing canned foods like beans, vegetables, or tuna, choose low-sodium or no-added-salt versions. Drain and rinse them in a colander to reduce salt even more.Shopping and cooking for a renal diet takes a bit of practice. But once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature. With time and support, you can cook healthy and delicious meals like a pro.Sodium, potassium, and phosphorus limits in a renal dietEveryone is different, so your exact renal diet will depend on factors like your size and age. The specific amounts of protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus you can eat also depend on the extent of your kidney disease. These amounts may even change throughout the disease and treatment. If you have advanced kidney disease, your doctor will tell you what and how much to limit.A dietitian can also teach you how to count the milligrams of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus in your diet. So even if a food is higher in one of these elements, you may have small or occasional servings depending on your kidneys\u2019 health. The best thing to do is speak with your doctor to learn what works for you.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 6, 2022, and was last reviewed on September 3, 2024.SourcesNational Kidney Foundation. Potassium and Your Diet. LINKNational Kidney Foundation. Sodium and Your Diet: How to Spice Up Your Cooking. 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