Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List | 8 Foods

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List

A proper chronic kidney disease food diet can help you fight kidney complications, a common problem affecting almost 10% of the global population.

If you suffer from chronic kidney disease, a qualified healthcare professional can help you develop the ideal diet for your needs.

It is worth mentioning that following a kidney-friendly diet is crucial, especially for people with advanced complications.

Here are some of the nutrients that people living with chronic kidney disease should avoid.

Sodium

Apart from being a major element in table salt, sodium is present in a wide range of foods. Sick kidneys cannot filter excess sodium from your body which often triggers a rise in blood levels.

If your kidneys are damaged, you should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day. 

Potassium

This component plays a vital role in the human body but people with chronic kidney disease should limit their potassium consumption to avoid triggering a rise in their high blood levels.

If you have kidney disease, your potassium consumption should be below 2,000 mg per day.

Phosphorous

Damaged kidneys cannot filter out excess phosphorus in the body. This mineral is present in a wide range of foods and excess amounts in your body can worsen your kidney problem.

Limit your phosphorus consumption to below 800 mg per day to be on the safe side. 

Protein

People with kidney disease should limit protein consumption because their kidneys cannot clean out waste components resulting from protein metabolism.

However, patients living with chronic kidney disease who undergo dialysis require high protein amounts in their bodies. 

Worth mentioning is that every chronic kidney patient is different and has varying needs.

Talk to your professional healthcare provider and work together to develop a personalized diet food list based on your needs. 

Here is the Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List

1. Cauliflower

This vegetable is nutritious and a rich source of numerous nutrients such as vitamin B, folate, vitamin k, and vitamin C.

It contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as indoles and is rich in fiber. Chronic kidney disease patients can replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower to get low potassium, phosphorus, and sodium dish. 

2. Seabass

Seabass is a protein and healthy fats-dense component that facilitate the reduction of inflammation and can lower the risk of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.

Unlike fish which can usually contain high levels of phosphorus, sea bass has low amounts of minerals than any other seafood.

Still, you should consume sea bass in small portions to control your phosphorus levels. 

3. Blueberries

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List – Blueberries

Apart from being nutrient-dense, blueberries are a great source of anthocyanin antioxidants which can protect you against some cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, and cognitive decline.

They are a great addition to your chronic kidney disease food list because they contain low levels of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium.

4. Red Grapes

Apart from their delicious nature, red grapes contain high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants that lower inflammation, and vitamin C.

Further, grapes contain resveratrol, a kind of flavonoid that is associated with improving heart health and protecting humans against cognitive decline and diabetes.

Grapes are kidney-friendly and contain low levels of phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.

5. Garlic

Apart from adding flavor to meals, garlic can be a great salt substitute.

The herb and spice are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and sulfur compounds, which come with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Egg Whites

Egg yolks are nutrient-dense but they contain high levels of phosphorus, making them unfriendly for the kidneys.

Egg whites are a great choice for people with chronic kidney disease. They are a kidney-friendly and good-quality source of protein.

Egg whites are also an ideal choice for people going through dialysis because they require high amounts of proteins but minimal phosphorus levels. 

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil is phosphorus-free and a great source of healthy fat, making it ideal for chronic kidney disease patients.

Many times people living with kidney disease lose a lot of weight, a condition they can manage by consuming high-calorie foods and healthy fats like olive oil. 

Olive oil contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that comes with anti-inflammatory properties. Worth mentioning is that monounsaturated fats remain stable under high temperatures. 

8. Buckwheat

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List – Buckwheat

While many whole grains contain high levels of phosphorus, buckwheat is an exception. This nutrient-dense grain contains sufficient amounts of magnesium, B vitamins, fiber, and iron.

It’s also gluten-free, making it an ideal choice for chronic kidney and celiac disease patients and people with gluten intolerance. 

Other Foods you Should Include in Your Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Include:

  • Cabbage
  • Bulgur
  • Skinless chicken
  • Onions
  • Bell peppers
  • Arugula
  • Radish
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Turnips
  • Cranberries 
  • Pineapple

Foods you Should Eliminate from Your Chronic Kidney Disease Diet

Dark-Colored Soda

Soda contains artificial sugars, additives, and high-calorie levels. Some beverage and food manufacturers often add phosphorus to prolong the product’s shelf life, boost flavor, and discourage discoloration. Such additives can worsen your condition. 

Canned Foods

Avoid Can foods

Many people often canned foods like vegetables, soups, and beans due to their convenience and low cost.

However, a big percentage of canned foods contain high levels of sodium, seeing that manufacturers add salt as a preservative to prolong their shelf life. If you have to consume canned foods consider those with a “no salt added” label. 

Avocados

Avocados are by no doubt, nutrient-rich and come with lots of heart-friendly fiber, fats, and antioxidants.

However, people with chronic kidney sickness should reduce their avocado intake because they contain a lot of potassium. 

Brown Rice

This whole grain contains high amounts of phosphorus and potassium than white rice.

While you can still include brown rice in your chronic kidney disease diet, limit your portions to regulate your daily consumption of phosphorus and potassium.

Brown rice alternatives would be pearled barley, couscous, buckwheat, and bulgur because they contain low amounts of phosphorus

Whole Wheat Bread

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List – Avoid Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread is usually ideal for healthy people because it contains high amounts of fiber. However, choosing the appropriate bread for people with chronic kidney disease can be a difficult task.

In this case, professionals recommend white over whole wheat bread because the latter contains high amounts of potassium and phosphorus.

Still, both white and whole wheat bread contains high levels of sodium. If you suffer from chronic kidney disease, you may want to avoid bread altogether. 

Other Foods You Should Eliminate from Your Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Include:

  • Bananas
  • Orange juice and oranges
  • Dairy products
  • Apricots
  • Processed meat
  • Tomatoes 
  • Relish, pickles, and processed olives
  • Sweet and Irish potatoes
  • Premade, instant, and packaged meals
  • Beet greens, spinach, and Swiss chard
  • Prunes, raisins, and dates
  • Crackers, chips, and pretzels

Takeaway

Determining the proper chronic kidney disease diet food is not easy. Patients should discuss their food choices with a professional to ensure they are following the appropriate diet that meets their needs. 

Following a chronic kidney disease, a diet food list can feel restrictive but there are numerous delicious, well-balanced, healthy, and kidney-friendly meals that patients can enjoy. 

Dietary restrictions often vary based on your level or type of kidney damage and any medications a patient could be under. 

Printable Chronic Kidney Disease Diet Food List (PDF)

Foods to IncludeFoods to Avoid
Vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, turnips, radishes, cabbage, onions, Protein foods like processed meats and dairy products
Sea bassMinerals like phosphorous, potassium, and sodium
Fruits like blueberries, red grapes, pineapple, cranberries, Dark-colored soda
Herbs and spices like garlicCanned foods
Proteion like skinless chicken, and egg whiteAvocados
Olive oilGrains like brown rice
Grains like bulgur and buckwheatFruits like bananas
ArugulaWhole Wheat Bread
Shiitake mushroomsRelish, pickles, and processed olives_x000D_
Macadamia nutsPremade, instant, and packaged meals_x000D_
Prunes, raisins, and dates_x000D_
Orange juice and oranges
Apricots
Tomatoes
Sweet and Irish potatoes
Beet greens, spinach, and Swiss chard
Crackers, chips, and pretzels

See Also

List of Keto Vegetables

Candida Diet Food List

Diabetic Diet Food List

BRAT Diet Food List