{"id":58416,"date":"2023-05-15T09:30:22","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T13:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=58416"},"modified":"2026-04-29T11:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:39:15","slug":"kidney-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"The best diet for kidney disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost 30 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and about 661,000 of those affected have kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, according to a study in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advances in Nutrition<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Interestingly, 24% of CKD cases are associated with poor diet. In this article, learn how your diet impacts kidney function and how to follow a kidney-friendly eating plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-kidney-diet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a kidney diet?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cA kidney-friendly diet reduces the risk of developing chronic kidney disease or furthering its progression. It includes foods low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus and foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium,\u201d says <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kelsey Costa<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, RDN, a certified wellness coach based in Dayville, Connecticut.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, for kidney health, your diet matters. \u201cThe kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products and fluids from the blood, and a healthy diet supports this function by providing essential nutrients while reducing the workload on the kidneys,\u201d says Raj Singh, MD, a board-certified nephrologist with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and an assistant professor at the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.physiology.org\/doi\/full\/10.1152\/ajprenal.00068.2011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western-style diet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> made up of high-fat foods, high-sugar desserts, red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products, and low in fruits and vegetables plays a role in the development of many chronic diseases, including CKD. This diet produces excessive acid and makes your kidneys work harder to create a balance and prevent acidosis. Acidosis occurs when acid builds up in the blood. It may also lead to increased excretion of protein into the urine, which is one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2658722\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">early signs of kidney disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, the two common causes of kidney diseases in U.S. adults\u2014high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes\u2014are also influenced by diet and lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/news\/ekidney\/august14\/10_Signs_You_May_Have_Kidney_Disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">early warning signs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of kidney disease include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen feet and ankles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased urination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bloody or foamy urine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor appetite\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check with your healthcare if you have any of these symptoms occurring over a long period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"9-foods-for-kidney-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9 foods for kidney health<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good diet for kidney health includes the right kinds of protein, fats, and carbohydrates\u2014mainly from fruit and vegetables. Here are nine foods to include in a kidney-friendly diet:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Leafy greens:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A diet emphasizing leafy greens, such as the DASH diet, is good for the kidneys because it produces less acid compared to a typical Western diet, and provides good sources of magnesium. However, if you are on dialysis, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/Dash_Diet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">avoid the DASH diet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Oats:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8825222\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests that a fiber-rich diet lowers the progression of chronic kidney disease, and most people with CKD are often deficient in fiber. Incorporating a whole grain loaded with fiber, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/whole-grains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oatmeal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, instead of processed cereals can help. Oatmeal is also a magnesium-rich food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apples:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/apples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apples<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. More importantly, apples are low in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium\u2014all of which should be avoided on a kidney-friendly diet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Broccoli:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broccoli is a green vegetable that you should eat <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/broccoli\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if you have kidney problems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because it contains low amounts of nutrients you should restrict: potassium, phosphorus, and sodium.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Blueberries:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blueberries are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and low in calories, sodium, and phosphorus. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/blueberries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes them safe and recommended when you\u2019re diagnosed with a kidney problem or undergoing treatment for CKD.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Low-fat dairy products:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/kidney-disease\/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd\/eating-nutrition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low-fat or fat-free milk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and yogurts are good sources of protein in a kidney diet (renal diet).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Olive oil: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olive oil is rich in healthy, monounsaturated fat and it also provides <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/nutrition\/is-extra-virgin-olive-oil-extra-healthy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antioxidant and anti-inflammatory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lean meat:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though a kidney-friendly diet is low in protein, you need some for muscle building and repair. Chicken and fish are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">good sources of protein<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and omega-3s for people with kidney disease. If you have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/low-cholesterol-diet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high cholesterol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is a good idea to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/content\/how-increase-calories-your-ckd-diet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remove all visible fat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and skin from meat before consumption.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Egg whites:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Egg whites<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are a good low-fat source of protein to include in your diet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"4-foods-to-avoid-with-kidney-disease\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 foods to avoid with kidney disease<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A kidney diet aims to reduce foods that put stress on the kidneys, including sodium, phosphorus, purine, and alcohol. The following are foods to avoid with kidney disease:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Salty foods: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should follow a low- or no-sodium diet if you have kidney disease. Avoid bacon, canned foods, frozen vegetables with sauce, and instant soups.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Phosphorus-rich foods: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit or avoid foods that are high in phosphorus if you have CKD. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/phosphorus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> beer, chocolate milk, dark cola, canned iced tea, pizza, bacon, sausage, and beef liver.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alcohol:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your alcohol intake. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/news\/kidneyCare\/winter10\/AlcoholAffects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Kidney Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, regular heavy drinking doubles the risk of chronic kidney disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Purine-rich foods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dr. Singh recommends avoiding foods that contain a lot of purine, such as red meat, shellfish, and organ meats. These produce high amounts of uric acid, which accumulates in the kidneys and causes inflammation, kidney stones, and other complications.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"diet-tips-for-kidney-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diet tips for kidney health<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The general principles for a kidney-friendly diet include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1-monitor-your-protein-consumption\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Monitor your protein consumption<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your protein needs will change based on the stage of your kidney disease. Eating too much protein can put stress on your kidneys, as they might not filter wasted protein as effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kidneyhi.org\/dietitian-blog\/how-much-protein-do-i-need-on-a-ckd-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for CKD stages 1 and 2 (early-stage kidney disease). For CKD stages 3-5 (late-stage kidney disease), 0.55-0.60 grams of protein per kilogram are needed. If you are on dialysis, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/kidney-disease\/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd\/eating-nutrition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NIDDK) notes that you may need to increase intake because the dialysis process causes protein loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dietitian specializing in kidney disease, also known as a renal dietitian, can help you determine the right amount of protein depending on the stage of kidney disease, your weight, the amount of protein excreted in the urine, and your nutritional status.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-reduce-sodium-intake\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Reduce sodium intake<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sodium is a mineral found in salt, and in terms of diet, the two terms are used interchangeably. It is present in a lot of canned foods, fast foods, condiments, meats, and seasonings. \u201cOne key aspect of a kidney-friendly diet is reducing salt intake, as high levels of salt can lead to elevated blood pressure,\u201d Dr. Singh says. \u201cWhen blood pressure is continuously high, it can damage blood vessels in the kidneys (impairs their ability to filter waste products) and lead to a decrease in kidney function. By reducing salt intake, individuals can protect their kidneys and reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salt sensitivity increases with the progression of kidney disease, notes a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2921029\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cSalt-sensitive individuals are less able to eliminate salt, which may cause fluid retention and an increase in blood volume and blood pressure,\u201d Dr. Singh explains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can follow a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/-\/media\/files\/health-topics\/answers-by-heart\/why-should-i-limit-sodium.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">low-sodium diet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by cooking food from scratch, eating fresh foods, choosing unprocessed meats, rinsing canned foods, checking nutrition labels, and using salt-free seasonings, condiments, and spices.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-consume-the-right-type-of-fat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Consume the right type of fat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a general rule, you should avoid eating too much fat. \u201cA high-fat diet can lead to oxidative stress and conditions such as heart disease and stroke\u2014which can negatively affect kidney health,\u201d says Dr. Singh. \u201cHigh-fat diets increase calcium and uric acid in the urine, which contributes to the formation of kidney stones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the type of fat you consume matters. Avoid saturated and trans fats found in butter, fatty meats, and fried foods. They increase blood cholesterol, which blocks blood vessels. Instead, opt for healthy fats and fatty acids\u2014the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, salmon, and oatmeal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-talk-to-your-provider-about-phosphorous-and-potassium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Talk to your provider about phosphorous and potassium<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potassium and phosphorus are important minerals. Potassium keeps the heart, nerves, and muscles functioning and regulates body fluid balance. Phosphorus helps in the formation of bones and teeth. Healthy kidneys filter out phosphorus and potassium into the urine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the kidneys are not working properly, potassium and phosphorus accumulate in your blood and may affect kidney health. People with moderate to severe kidney disease are recommended to consume <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/low-potassium-diet-beyond-the-basics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">less than 3000 mg of potassium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/FS273\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">800 mg of phosphorus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per day. How much of each you should eat depends on your stage of kidney disease, which correlates with your phosphate and potassium levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"5-choose-complex-carbs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Choose complex carbs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High blood sugar is linked to kidney disease. It may destroy kidney filters, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/Diabetes-and-Kidney-Disease-Stages1-4#if-i-have-diabetes-and-kidney-damage-what-should-i-do\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nerves, and blood vessels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Eventually, these cause waste products to build up in the blood, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/content\/sugar-and-your-kidneys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Kidney Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You don\u2019t have to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet completely. However, you should make swaps like choosing fruit over fruit juice and whole grains instead of refined pasta and bread.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"6-watch-your-water-intake\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Watch your water intake<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The general rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water daily. But, for someone who has kidney disease, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/content\/6-tips-be-water-wise-healthy-kidneys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you need to be \u201cwater-wise.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you are diagnosed with CKD stage 1 or 2, 64 ounces (or eight glasses) of water daily is okay to keep you hydrated. But, at CKD stages 3-5, it\u2019s important to limit the amount of water consumed. People on dialysis are recommended to keep fluid intake within 32 ounces (or four glasses) of water per day, notes the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kitchen.kidneyfund.org\/fluids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Kidney Fund<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You should discuss this with a renal dietitian and nephrologist, as the recommendation varies individually. If you notice signs of water retention, such as swelling in your feet and ankles and difficulty breathing\u2014inform your healthcare provider right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"7-keep-track-of-laboratory-reports\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Keep track of laboratory reports<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In your journey to healthy eating, you must track your performance. Regular blood testing is one method that your healthcare provider uses to assess your well-being and evaluate how well your kidney is working. Take note of your lab results, and work with your provider and dietitian to make healthy food choices based on the findings\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div class=\"singlecare-dynamic-newsletter-wrapper sin-newsletter-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"heading\">Get our wellness newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t<form class=\"form-wrapper\" data-newsletter-form=\"1\" data-subsource=\"Wellness Newsletter\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"dynamic-email\">Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"dynamic-email\" class=\"email\" required>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"submit-form-btn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Click to sign up\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"success-message\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"supplements-for-kidney-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supplements for kidney health<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a kidney diet may cause <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/common-nutrient-deficiencies\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nutrient deficiencies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as you eliminate certain foods. Plus, dialysis and medications for CKD often cause loss of essential vitamins and minerals. As such, your healthcare provider may <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/atoz\/content\/vitamineral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recommend certain supplements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/b-6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin B6<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/b-12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin B12<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Folic acid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iron<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thiamine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/riboflavin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riboflavin<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-c\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin C<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calcium<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These should be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle that protects your kidneys from further damage. Follow the dietary guidelines provided by your healthcare team, and take the medications prescribed by your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almost 30 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and about 661,000 of those affected have kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, according to a study in Advances in Nutrition. Interestingly, 24% of CKD cases are associated with poor diet. In this article, learn how your diet impacts kidney function and how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":58214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[16414,553],"coauthors":[20915],"class_list":["post-58416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellness","tag-digestive-health","tag-nutrition","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kidney diet: Foods to eat and avoid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A DASH diet is often recommended for kidney disease. Additionally, you will want to avoid salty foods, phosphorus-rich foods, and alcohol. Here\u2019s what you should know.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"If you have kidney disease, try these kidney friendly foods\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What you eat is as important as what you avoid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Checkup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Racheal Ede\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"If you have kidney disease, try these kidney friendly foods\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"What you eat is as important as what you avoid\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Racheal Ede\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Janice Rodden\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/169a1d8c8b88282cc3b792a394fc3575\"},\"headline\":\"The best diet for kidney disease\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1728,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Digestive health\",\"Nutrition\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Wellness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kidney diet: Foods to eat and avoid\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00\",\"description\":\"A DASH diet is often recommended for kidney disease. Additionally, you will want to avoid salty foods, phosphorus-rich foods, and alcohol. Here\u2019s what you should know.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Kidney-friendly foods \u2014 the best kidney diet\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/kidney-diet\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The best diet for kidney disease\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare\",\"description\":\"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SingleCare\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"SingleCare\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/singlecare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/SingleCare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/singlecare\\\/?hl=en\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/singlecare\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/169a1d8c8b88282cc3b792a394fc3575\",\"name\":\"Janice Rodden\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=gd66250315c656457c96a08c8fc87b6bb\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Janice Rodden\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/jrodden\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kidney diet: Foods to eat and avoid","description":"A DASH diet is often recommended for kidney disease. Additionally, you will want to avoid salty foods, phosphorus-rich foods, and alcohol. Here\u2019s what you should know.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"If you have kidney disease, try these kidney friendly foods","og_description":"What you eat is as important as what you avoid","og_url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/","og_site_name":"The Checkup","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","article_published_time":"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Racheal Ede","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"If you have kidney disease, try these kidney friendly foods","twitter_description":"What you eat is as important as what you avoid","twitter_creator":"@SingleCare","twitter_site":"@SingleCare","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Racheal Ede","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/"},"author":{"name":"Janice Rodden","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/169a1d8c8b88282cc3b792a394fc3575"},"headline":"The best diet for kidney disease","datePublished":"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/"},"wordCount":1728,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png","keywords":["Digestive health","Nutrition"],"articleSection":["Wellness"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/","name":"Kidney diet: Foods to eat and avoid","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png","datePublished":"2023-05-15T13:30:22+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-29T15:39:15+00:00","description":"A DASH diet is often recommended for kidney disease. Additionally, you will want to avoid salty foods, phosphorus-rich foods, and alcohol. Here\u2019s what you should know.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blog_051523_Best_diet_kidney_disease.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Kidney-friendly foods \u2014 the best kidney diet"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/kidney-diet\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The best diet for kidney disease"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","name":"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare","description":"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"SingleCare","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"SingleCare"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","https:\/\/x.com\/SingleCare","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/singlecare\/?hl=en","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/singlecare\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/169a1d8c8b88282cc3b792a394fc3575","name":"Janice Rodden","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=gd66250315c656457c96a08c8fc87b6bb","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/52a9a50886f8a50207b3817add6cf041e73c89f3a5b1776ee5f9642e519a0611?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Janice Rodden"},"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/author\/jrodden\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58416"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":636101,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58416\/revisions\/636101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58416"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=58416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}