People with kidney disease may need to eat a certain way, usually one that is low in potassium, phosphorus, and salt. Your kidneys might not get better, but this can help them stay healthy.
When your kidneys aren’t working right, waste, including waste from food, builds up in your blood. A renal diet is a special kind of food plan that can help people with kidney problems.
Diet and kidney disease:
There are different dietary limits based on how badly the kidneys are damaged. Different rules will apply to people with kidney disease that is further along.Trusted Source from people who have kidney disease early on.
As time goes on, the diet will need to improve kidney function while lowering the chance of more damage.
There are different dietary limits for people with kidney disease, but these nutrients are often what they need to avoid. It’s possible that these nutrients are hard for the kidneys to get rid of or handle, and too much of them can hurt the body.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| sodium, the key ingredient in salt | under 2 gramsTrusted Source per day |
| potassium | restrictions will depend on stage of kidney disease |
| phosphorus | 800–1,000 mgTrusted Source per day |
| protein | restrictions will depend on stage of kidney disease |
If you want to avoid getting kidney disease and heart disease at the same time, you should eat a heart-healthy diet with lots of fresh plant-based foods and not too much heavy fat.
Because kidney disease affects different people in different ways, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your specific food needs.
Here are 10 foods that may improve kidney health or prevent it from worsening:
1. Cauliflower:
Vitamin K, folate, and fiber are just a few of the nutrients that cauliflower offers. There are also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant chemicals in it.
If you want a low-potassium side meal, try mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.
There are about 62 grams (g) of boiled broccoli without salt in half a cup.Known Source
- sodium: 9.3 milligrams (mg)
- potassium: 88 mg
- phosphorus: 20 mg
- protein: 1 g
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in nutrients and antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which may protectTrusted Source against heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.
They’re also low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium.
One cup (148 g) of fresh blueberries containsTrusted Source:
- sodium: 1.5 mg
- potassium: 114 mg
- phosphorus: 18 mg
- protein: 1 g
3. Sea bass
Sea bass is a type of fish that has a lot of good energy. It also has omega-3s, which are good fats. Omega-3s might help stop a number of diseases and improve the health of people who already have long-term illnesses.
Three ounces (85 grams) of cooked sea bass hasWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 74 mg
- potassium: 279 mg
- phosphorus: 211 mg
- protein: 20 g
4. Red grapes
Red grapes have a lot ofit has flavonoids, which are antioxidants that may help lower inflammation and protect against heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems.
There are in half a cup (75 g) of red grapesWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 1.5 mg
- potassium: 144 mg
- phosphorus: 15 mg
- protein: 0.5 g
5. Egg white
Egg whites are a good source of protein that is low in phosphorus and good for your kidneys.
People on a kidney diet might want to eat egg whites instead of whole eggs because egg yolks can be high in phosphorus.
Two big raw egg whites (66 g) haveWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 110 mg
- potassium: 108 mg
- phosphorus: 10 mg
- protein: 7 g
6. Garlic
As a tasty alternative to salt, garlic can be used to add taste to food and is also good for you.
Iron and vitamin B6 can be found in large amounts in it. It also has sulfur molecules in it that can help reduce inflammation.
There are nine grams of garlic in three cloves.Well-Known Source:
- sodium: 1.5 mg
- potassium: 36 mg
- phosphorus: 14 mg
- protein: 0.5 g
7. Buckwheat
It’s a whole grain that doesn’t have much potassium. It also has fiber, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins.
It doesn’t have gluten, so people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can eat it.
Half a cup (85 g) of buckwheat hasWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 0.8 mg
- potassium: 391 mg
- phosphorus: 295 mg
- protein: 11 g
8. Olive oil
Most of the fat in olive oil is unsaturated, which is good for you. Plus, it doesn’t have any phosphorus, so people with kidney problems can eat it.
Oleic acid, which makes up most of the fat in olive oil, can help reduce inflammation.
Also, monounsaturated fats don’t change when heated up, which makes olive oil a good choice for cooking.
It’s in one tablespoon (14 g) of olive oil.Well-Known Source:
- sodium: 0.3 mg
- potassium: 0.1 mg
- phosphorus: 0 mg
- protein: 0 g
9. Bulgur
Bulgur is made from whole wheat and is a good choice for people with kidney problems instead of other whole grains that are higher in potassium and calcium.
As well as plant-based protein and fiber, bulgur has B vitamins, magnesium, iron, and iron. Fiber is also good for your gut health.
About 70 grams (half a cup) of cooked bulgur hasWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 154 mg
- potassium: 48 mg
- phosphorus: 28 mg
- protein: 2 g
10. Cabbage
Cabbage is a cruciferous veggie, which means it is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The people who wrote a study in 2021These are some of the ways that white, green, and red cabbage can help:
Take care of blood sugar
bring down the chance of hurting your kidneys and liver
Stop reactive stress and weight gain
Shredded savoy cabbage, which weighs 70 grams, hasWell-Known Source:
- sodium: 20 mg
- potassium: 161 mg
- phosphorus: 29 mg
- protein: 1.4 g