Chronic kidney disease: Changing your diet
What foods do you need to limit?
Most people with chronic kidney disease need to limit salt (sodium), protein, and fluids. Some also have to limit minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus.
There is no one diet that is right for everyone with chronic kidney disease. Your doctor or dietitian can tailor a diet for you based on how well your kidneys are working.
To be successful with your diet, you will need to:
- Read food labels and look for hidden sodium. For example, sodium may be listed as monosodium glutamate (MSG) or disodium phosphate.
- Learn about sources of protein. Most people know that meats, fish, and dairy products are high-protein foods. But you may not know that foods such as breads, cereals, and vegetables also contain protein.
- Know which foods have minerals you need to limit. For example, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and beans have a lot of phosphorus. Potatoes and bananas are sources of potassium, but it is also found in other fruits and vegetables as well as many meats, grains, and milk.
It may seem like there is a lot to learn, but your doctor or dietitian can help. A dietitian can plan meals for you that are healthy and give you the right amounts of foods you need to limit.
It may be hard to change your diet. You may have to give up many foods you like. But it is very important to make the recommended changes so you can stay healthy for as long as possible.
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| Author: | Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: November 13, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology | |
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