Living with kidney disease can prove to be challenging when it comes to dietary restrictions. Depending on the level of kidney damage, dietary restrictions can vary from patient to patient. It’s important to follow a renal diet to decrease the accumulation of waste products in the blood, improve overall kidney function, and prevent further damage. The first step is always to consult with your doctor before changing or starting a new diet
Foods to Enjoy
Creating delicious meals that follow a renal diet is completely attainable. Here are a few of our favorite kidney-friendly ingredients:
Following a renal diet does not mean restriction to a small selection of foods. This can be an amazing opportunity for patients to learn more about the purpose of the foods they are consuming.
Indulge in Something Sweet
Candies do not need to be completely thrown out of a kidney-friendly diet. These are a select few that can still be enjoyed:
Like all foods, sweets should be consumed in limited quantities and you should consult with a renal dietitian or your health team prior to integrating any new foods into your diet.
Foods to Avoid
Before exploring the variety of nutrient-rich food that can increase kidney function, let’s look at which foods should be avoided.
What do all these foods have in common? They are high in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Those with kidney failure cannot adequately remove excess levels of these minerals.
The KidneySPA team is here to guide you toward a healthy, kidney-safe diet that is nutritious and delicious -- and not just dialysis patients! We see non-dialysis patients for regular consultations to help them be their healthiest selves.
Foods to Enjoy
Creating delicious meals that follow a renal diet is completely attainable. Here are a few of our favorite kidney-friendly ingredients:
- Vegetables: garlic, onion, cabbage, bell peppers, radish, and turnips
- Fruits: blueberries, pineapples, and cranberries
- Grains: bulgur and buckwheat
- Protein: sea bass, skinless chicken, and egg whites
- Macadamia nuts
- Shiitake mushrooms
Following a renal diet does not mean restriction to a small selection of foods. This can be an amazing opportunity for patients to learn more about the purpose of the foods they are consuming.
Indulge in Something Sweet
Candies do not need to be completely thrown out of a kidney-friendly diet. These are a select few that can still be enjoyed:
- Hard Candy
- Jelly Beans
- Gummy Bears
- and more!
Like all foods, sweets should be consumed in limited quantities and you should consult with a renal dietitian or your health team prior to integrating any new foods into your diet.
Foods to Avoid
Before exploring the variety of nutrient-rich food that can increase kidney function, let’s look at which foods should be avoided.
- Vegetables: avocados, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Fruits: bananas, oranges, apricots
- Greens: swiss chard, spinach, beet greens
- Grains: brown rice and whole wheat bread
- Packaged, instant, premade, and canned foods
- Pickles, olives, relishes
- Pretzels, chips, crackers
- Dark-colored soda
- Dairy
What do all these foods have in common? They are high in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Those with kidney failure cannot adequately remove excess levels of these minerals.
The KidneySPA team is here to guide you toward a healthy, kidney-safe diet that is nutritious and delicious -- and not just dialysis patients! We see non-dialysis patients for regular consultations to help them be their healthiest selves.
