Twin Cities Kidney Disease Support Group
The Renal Diet is the recommended way for people diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease to consume food and beverages which limit waste products in their blood and promote healthy living despite the lack of or absence of necessary kidney functions.
DISCLAIMER: Information provided on this page is generally applicable to patients with kidney disease. However, each person is unique with respect to their condition and what is suitable for their situation.
Consult with your dietitian or medical team before implementing any changes to your diet!
Renal Diet basics
There are four main components to the diet which patients must work to maintain by watching what is consumed on a regular basis due to the reduction or lack of kidney function. The medical team, in particular the dietitian, monitors many of these components through monthly lab work. The components (and the lab value ranges) consist of:
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potassium (3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L) - plays a role in keeping your heartbeat regular and your muscles working right. Too much potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat or heart attack.
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phosphorous ( 3.0 to 5.5 mg/dL) - is needed to build strong healthy bones and keep other parts of your body healthy. High phosphorus levels can result in weak bones.
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protein [albumin] (4.0 g/dL or higher) - Albumin is a type of body protein made from the protein you eat each day. A low level of albumin may lead to health problems such as difficulty fighting off infections.
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sodium [salt} (N/A - limit intake to 2000 mg or less daily) - too much can cause swollen ankles, puffiness, a rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath, and/or fluid around your heart and lungs
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Two other items which play a role in the diet are fluid and sugar, if you are diabetic.
Fluid - levels are normally maintained by the kidneys. Due to their reduced functioning, too much fluid builds up in your body and can have harmful effects on your health, such as difficulty breathing and swelling. Patients on dialysis must limit their daily intake. Consult with your dietitian to determine how much liquid you can consume.
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Sugar - you must still monitor and control your blood sugar levels with kidney disease. It can be more challenging due to the dietary limitations. You must work with a dietitian to develop a game plan for your conditions!
Posters, flyers, & other resources
Adjusting to a renal diet can be challenging! There are many foods and beverages to consider coupled with your personal likes and dislikes. It can be overwhelming.
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Just take your time and make a few changes each day. You will adapt over the course of integrating the various items into your diet. Sometimes you will forget about a food or beverage you should avoid OR perhaps you want to treat yourself. It is OK. Get back on track the following day. It is consistent consumption of items you should avoid that can result in harm to your body.
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If you are finding it difficult to follow the diet, talk to your dietitian or others with chronic kidney disease for ideas on how to proceed. You aren't doing this alone. Reach out for help!
Use the information provided below to help you figure out what is acceptable to eat and drink. Everyone learns differently, so there are a variety of presentations of the topics which will allow you to select formats that make the most sense to you.
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Bon appétit!
