Navigating the Renal diet is no easy task for the dialysis patient. As clinicians, it is easy to provide endless amounts of handouts that show lists-on-lists of what not to eat and nutrient contents of foods to avoid. However, from the patient’s perspective, putting all of these lists into practice can be overwhelming, and the difficult task of building their own menu ideas may further deter the patient from actually following a Renal diet.Â
In addition to educating on the constituents of the Renal diet–low phosphorous, low potassium, low sodium, fluids, and increased protein–this handout is perfect to tie it all together to provide the Dialysis patient with real meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks too!
Meal ideas that you will find on this handout don’t simply include conventional items such as an omelette or oatmeal for breakfast, but how about a homemade sausage! For lunch ideas you’ll find soups, salads, and even quiche– and dinner foods include pizza, pasta, and tips for creating the perfect Renal friendly sheet pan meal! All ideas are delicious, nutritious, and sure to help your dialysis patient construct the right Renal appropriate meal plan!
No need to recreate the wheel Save time by downloading this handout from the Renal Education Library or by going to RD2RD.com
How much milk are we allowed each day. I like the Lactaid milk but have tried almond,soy,coconut and their not my cup of tea taste wise.. same with breads,starrches? I’m at CKD Stage 4 and my nephrologist just says keep drinking water. Has never mentioned eating any certain way. I’ve been searching by myself. I don’t have the symptoms for him to say I need dialysis but need to improve my numbers.
Hi Sharon.
Thanks for your question! We know that there is a lot of confusion around what to eat and most don’t get a lot of guidance from their Nephrologist.
Unfortunately, we can’t make any recommendations via comment because everyone has such individual needs. If you are looking for some clarity we have several great options that you can find right on the home page of the KidneyRD.com! You can download our free Mini Nutrition Guide to Preserve Kidney Function, book a nutrition strategy call for individualized help, or join our free monthly class .
I am an 84 year old diabetic well controlled on 500mg metformin daily. About 5 years ago I have hand two stents implanted due to two blockages in my coronary arteries. I have had arrhythmia due to atrial fibrillation. The frequency is now less following the discovery and treatment of hypothyroidism and electrolyte imbalance – hyperkelemia with hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia and diagnosed as having Chronic Kidney Disease. The dietary restrictions have left me having to eat bland meals. I hope you can advise and help me.
Hi Kirthi,
We’d love to help! You can book a Nutrition Strategy Call to find out more about how we can help!
My mother n law is now on dialysis and all her doctor said was watch your salt. Never said anything else. We are now on the renal diet. She is allowed 1/2 cup of milk. If you have ice cream that counts as milk. She has to be very careful of phosphates and potassium. Now she is on a fluid restriction and if you cook things with water that counts. It is a very very hard diet to follow. No salt…no tomatoes, tomatoes sauce, catchup, anything with tomatoes. No potatoes. Wish the doctor had shared a little more about what she:should have been eating.
Hi Betty,
We know that all of the diet restrictions can be quite overwhelming when starting dialysis. Each person with kidney disease is unique, and potassium and fluid needs are different for everyone. Fortunately, there is a Registered Dietitian at each dialysis facility that can help your mother-in-law (and you) understand what foods she may need to limit and how much fluid she should aim for each day. Please feel free to contact us if we can help with anything!
I was told that all beans are bad for ckd.. Also egg yolks and beans as well. I am really confused. Why then do your recipes include them.
Hi Sonia, there are differences in opinion about the use of beans for people with CKD. We love including beans because they are a great plant-based source of protein and fiber. This great article highlights why plant based phosphorus is not fully absorbed compared to phosphorus additives and animal based sources of phosphorus such as dairy and meat. If you would like further clarification on this we’d love for you to join our monthly class!
What is the best renal diet regarding restrictions for someone with 3a CKD
Hi Judy,
In general for CKD 3a we recommend reducing sodium and protein and increasing fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins. However, each person is unique and what we recommend may change slightly based on the underlying cause of CKD. We’d love for you to join our monthly class to learn more about our whole person approach to kidney health!
Good day,
My son has heart issues which has him on many medicines for kidney and liver as well as diabetes medicine. I am unsure which diet to follow. So took salt down to less then 2 tsp but unsure about the effects of whole wheat, beans, and potatoes. Please suggest what would be best.
Hi Vicki,
You’re off to a great start with limiting sodium! Unfortunately, we are not able to give any specific recommendations in our comments section because everyone has such unique needs and circumstances. We would love to help you find more clarity in what foods are best for your son. You can learn more by signing up for our monthly class or by scheduling a session with one of our expert Renal Dietitians.
if someone have one kidney , it’s mean this kidney patient , should be follow diet plan for kidney people ??
Hi Etab,
That is a great question! We recommend having your kidney function monitored with routine bloodwork for Creatinine, GFR, and BUN to identify any concerns. The principles that we recommend for kidney health including a low sodium diet with less meat and plentiful fruits and vegetables is beneficial for everyone, however, there is no one size fits all diet for kidney disease.
Feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns about your individual needs.
I’m on this very new journey for my husband. Seeing as I’m the one to grocery shop and make meals, I’m trying to do a lot of research on all of this. He’s at 2, that’s all I know. Water, reduced salt, no potassium, he can have chicken or turkey(that’s our normal), and no sweet tea, and walking as close to daily as we can(weather permitting), is what he was told by his doctor. We have 4 children, so meals right now seem overwhelming. Is drinking nettle tea okay?
Hi Holli,
That’s amazing that you are doing all that you can to help your husband preserve his kidney function with diet and exercise. We understand that it can get overwhelming, especially when also feeding your family.
We hope that you are finding the meal ideas and other recipes helpful. We also offer a free monthly class all about kidney health!
We do not recommend nettle tea for people with CKD. This article from the NKF is a great resource about what herbal teas and supplements to avoid for people with CKD.
My GFR is down to 38. That is a decrease of 10 within one month. What can I do to save my kidney ( only have one) or is it too late?
Hi Brenda,
It is definitely not too late to help preserve your function and delay further progression. We recommend working with a Renal Dietitian to get a personalized plan. We also offer a free monthly class that outlines our approach to kidney health.
Interested in free monthly class.
Hi Pam,
Our classes are typically held on the third Thursday of the month. You can find out more about the class and register here.
I was just told my kidneys are functioning right have to see kidney Dr but it not for a month what can i do to help kidneys until than no salt sugar
Hi Patricia,
Low sodium is the best first step! working towards a more Mediterranean-style diet with more plant-based foods and smaller amounts of lean protein is also recommended for overall health. Above these basic recommendations, each person is unique and requires an individualized plan. You can find out more about our approach to kidney health by joining our free monthly class or booking a free 20-minute discovery call.