Early Kidney Disease and Diet: Just the Basics

Contributed by Elaine M. Koontz, RD, LD/N

Review Date 8/13R-0627

Provided Courtesy of Nutrition411.com

Nutrition and Early Kidney Disease

• It is recommended that all people with kidney disease see a registered dietitian• A registered dietitian’s expertise will help

you plan a menu that meets your individual needs

Protein and Early Kidney Disease

• Protein—you may need to limit your protein intake to help you:– Preserve your kidney function– Prevent wastes from building up in your blood

Protein and Early Kidney Disease (cont’d)

• Protein is found in many foods, including:– Beans, peas, and lentils– Eggs– Fish – Meat– Milk and milk products– Nuts and seeds– Poultry– Soy products, such as tofu, miso, and tempeh

Sodium and Early Kidney Disease

• Fluids and sodium can build up in your body if you have kidney disease • This can cause:– Edema– High blood pressure

Foods That Are High in Sodium

• Bacon• Buttermilk•Canned meats and fish•Canned vegetables•Cheese•Chips, pretzels, and salted nuts• Flavoring packets for noodle or rice side dishes•Hot dogs and sausages• Ketchup, BBQ sauce, tartar sauce, and mustard• Luncheon meats

•Meal-starter kits •Most restaurant and takeout food• Pasta sauces• Pickles and olives•Quick-cooking oats• Salted crackers• Sauerkraut• Soup• Soy sauce, taco sauce, teriyaki sauce, and Worcestershire sauce• Tomato and vegetable juices

Phosphorus

• People with kidney disease sometimes cannot excrete phosphorus– Phosphorus builds up in the blood– This results in loss of calcium from the bones– This also can cause calcium to build up in the

blood vessels, joints, muscles, skin, and organs, which can result in:• Bone pain• Organ damage• Poor blood circulation• Skin ulcers

Phosphorus (cont’d)

• You may need to:– Take a phosphate binder with your meals– Strictly limit the amount of phosphorus that you

consume

Foods That Contain Phosphorus

• Biscuits• Bran cereals•Cake•Caramels•Cheese•Cola, cocoa, bottled iced teas, and beer•Cottage cheese•Dried beans or peas•Granola• Ice Cream•Milk

•Muffins•Nuts•Nut butters• Pudding• Soy milk•Oatmeal•Organ meats•Oysters and sardines• Pancakes•Waffles•Wheat germ• Yogurt

Potassium

• Potassium facts:– Important for helping your muscles and heart

work properly– Too much or too little potassium is sometimes

dangerous– Your doctor will monitor the level of potassium in

your blood – If your potassium level is too high, you will need

to restrict your intake of potassium-containing foods

Fruits High in Potassium

• Apricots• Bananas•Cantaloupe•Dates•Honeydew• Kiwi•Mangoes•Nectarines•Orange juice• Papayas• Prunes•Raisins

Vegetables High in Potassium

• Artichokes• Avocados• Beets, fresh • Brussels sprouts• Parsnips• Potatoes• Pumpkin• Spinach• Sweet potatoes• Tomato•Winter squash• Yams

Other Sources of Potassium

•Dried beans and peas•Milk•Milk products•Nuts• Salt substitutes

Resources

• National Kidney Foundation. Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease (Stages 1-4): Are You Getting What You Need? http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozcopy.cfm?pdflink=NutriKidFail_Stage1-4.pdf. Published November 9, 2010. Accessed August 22, 2013.