Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFoodsWhat to AvoidMore Kidney-Health Foods

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Foods

What to Avoid

More Kidney-Health Foods

Keeping your kidneys healthy is important for your overall health. Kidneys have the important job of cleaning  waste and extra fluids from your blood, balancing your body’s fluids, and even controlling blood pressure. For people with kidney disease, eating the right foods is especially important, since their kidneys may not work as well and might have trouble removing waste from the body.Those living withkidney diseasemay have restrictions on how much fluid, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus they can have.Keeping this in mind can help guide the best food decisions. Certain fruits, vegetables, and otherfoods can help support kidney healthand make it easier for your kidneys to do their job.1. FruitsFruits are a great addition to arenal dietbecause they provide important nutrients the body needs without putting too much strain on the kidneys. Many fruits are low in potassium, which is important for people with kidney problems who need to watch their potassium intake. These fruits are also high in fiber, which helps with digestion and can keep blood sugar levels steady.Eating a variety of fresh fruits can provide vitamins and minerals that support kidney health and overall wellness. Some helpful nutritious fruits are:ApplesBlueberriesCherriesGrapefruitOrangesPomegranates2. VegetablesVegetables are also an important source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Many vegetables are low in potassium and rich in fiber. Including a variety of vegetables in the diet helps support kidney health, energy levels, and the immune system.Some helpful vegetables are:BeetsBell peppersCabbageCauliflowerBroccoliLeafy greensPotatoesSquashSweet potatoesTomatoes3. ProteinsProtein is an important part of a kidney-friendly diet, but managing the amount and type of protein (animal protein versus plant-based protein) is important for people with kidney issues. The body needs protein to build and repair muscle and support other functions, but too much protein can strain the kidneys.Good protein choices for the kidneys are:BeansChia seedsChickenEggsFishFlaxseedTofuYogurt4. Carbs​​Carbohydrates are an important energy source in a renal diet, as they provide fuel for the body without putting much strain on the kidneys. However, for those who have kidney disease and diabetes, monitoring carbohydrate intake is important. For carbohydrates, it often is best to focus on whole-food sources and not processed foods.Sources of carbohydrates can include:FruitsLegumes (peas, beans, lentils, peanuts)VegetablesWhole grains5. Nuts and Nut ButtersNuts and nut butters can contain healthy fats, protein, as well as other nutrients. However, they can also be high in phosphorus and sometimes potassium, which may need to be limited for some.  Choosing unsalted varieties is usually important for kidney health.Examples of nuts and nut butters are:Almond butterAlmondsHazelnutsMacadamia nutsPeanut butterPeanutsPecansSunflower seed butter6. Healthy OilsHealthy oils are an excellent addition to a renal diet, as they provide essential fats. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. These type of oils include:Avocado oilFlaxseed oilOlive oilSunflower oilWalnut oil7. DrinksFluid balance is an important factor in kidney health.Water is generally the best option for hydration, as it has no added sugars, sodium, or phosphorus.Other drinks that are OK with kidney disease include black coffeeand unsweetened green tea.What to Avoid If You Have Kidney DiseaseFor those with kidney disease, certain foods and drinks should be avoided or limited to ensure the kidneys function as well as possible.Foods that are high in sodium should be avoided, as they can alter the fluid balance and cause fluid retention.High-sodium foods include:Canned soupsMany processed foodsSalty snacksIn addition to sodium, potassium may be another electrolyte that needs to be avoided or taken in moderation.For some people with kidney disease, potassium can be difficult for the kidneys to process.Foods high in potassium include:BananasDairy foodsOrange juiceTomatoesPhosphorusis another nutrient that may need to be limited, as kidneys that do not function well cannot process phosphorus. Foods high in phosphorus include:DairyNutsDark soft drinksMeatPoultryOther Ways to Improve Kidney Function NaturallyIn addition to a kidney-friendly diet, there are several other ways to support and improve kidney function.Maintaining a healthy weight is important to help kidney function.A healthy weight can help reduce blood pressure and manage blood sugar levels, all of which help improve kidney health. Getting regular exercise is an important part of maintaining kidney health.Managing stress is helpful for kidney health.Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and inflammation, which can damage kidney function over time. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, can help reduce stress and support overall well-being.Getting enough sleep is also important, as poor sleep can negatively affect kidney function.Combining these lifestyle changes with a healthy diet and regular checkups with a healthcare provider can help improve kidney function and prevent further damage.SummaryKeeping your kidneys healthy involves eating the right foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. People with kidney disease may need to watch their intake of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and fluids to prevent overworking their kidneys.Eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins that are easy on the kidneys can be helpful, as well as choosing healthy oils and staying hydrated. Limiting foods high in salt, potassium, and phosphorus is also important.Along with a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep can help support kidney health and improve overall wellness.

Keeping your kidneys healthy is important for your overall health. Kidneys have the important job of cleaning  waste and extra fluids from your blood, balancing your body’s fluids, and even controlling blood pressure. For people with kidney disease, eating the right foods is especially important, since their kidneys may not work as well and might have trouble removing waste from the body.

Those living withkidney diseasemay have restrictions on how much fluid, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus they can have.Keeping this in mind can help guide the best food decisions. Certain fruits, vegetables, and otherfoods can help support kidney healthand make it easier for your kidneys to do their job.

1. Fruits

Fruits are a great addition to arenal dietbecause they provide important nutrients the body needs without putting too much strain on the kidneys. Many fruits are low in potassium, which is important for people with kidney problems who need to watch their potassium intake. These fruits are also high in fiber, which helps with digestion and can keep blood sugar levels steady.

Eating a variety of fresh fruits can provide vitamins and minerals that support kidney health and overall wellness. Some helpful nutritious fruits are:

2. Vegetables

Vegetables are also an important source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Many vegetables are low in potassium and rich in fiber. Including a variety of vegetables in the diet helps support kidney health, energy levels, and the immune system.

Some helpful vegetables are:

3. Proteins

Protein is an important part of a kidney-friendly diet, but managing the amount and type of protein (animal protein versus plant-based protein) is important for people with kidney issues. The body needs protein to build and repair muscle and support other functions, but too much protein can strain the kidneys.

Good protein choices for the kidneys are:

4. Carbs

​​Carbohydrates are an important energy source in a renal diet, as they provide fuel for the body without putting much strain on the kidneys. However, for those who have kidney disease and diabetes, monitoring carbohydrate intake is important. For carbohydrates, it often is best to focus on whole-food sources and not processed foods.

Sources of carbohydrates can include:

5. Nuts and Nut Butters

Nuts and nut butters can contain healthy fats, protein, as well as other nutrients. However, they can also be high in phosphorus and sometimes potassium, which may need to be limited for some.  Choosing unsalted varieties is usually important for kidney health.

Examples of nuts and nut butters are:

6. Healthy Oils

Healthy oils are an excellent addition to a renal diet, as they provide essential fats. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. These type of oils include:

7. Drinks

Fluid balance is an important factor in kidney health.Water is generally the best option for hydration, as it has no added sugars, sodium, or phosphorus.Other drinks that are OK with kidney disease include black coffeeand unsweetened green tea.

What to Avoid If You Have Kidney Disease

For those with kidney disease, certain foods and drinks should be avoided or limited to ensure the kidneys function as well as possible.

Foods that are high in sodium should be avoided, as they can alter the fluid balance and cause fluid retention.High-sodium foods include:

In addition to sodium, potassium may be another electrolyte that needs to be avoided or taken in moderation.For some people with kidney disease, potassium can be difficult for the kidneys to process.Foods high in potassium include:

Phosphorusis another nutrient that may need to be limited, as kidneys that do not function well cannot process phosphorus. Foods high in phosphorus include:

Other Ways to Improve Kidney Function Naturally

In addition to a kidney-friendly diet, there are several other ways to support and improve kidney function.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to help kidney function.A healthy weight can help reduce blood pressure and manage blood sugar levels, all of which help improve kidney health. Getting regular exercise is an important part of maintaining kidney health.

Managing stress is helpful for kidney health.Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and inflammation, which can damage kidney function over time. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, can help reduce stress and support overall well-being.

Getting enough sleep is also important, as poor sleep can negatively affect kidney function.Combining these lifestyle changes with a healthy diet and regular checkups with a healthcare provider can help improve kidney function and prevent further damage.

Summary

Keeping your kidneys healthy involves eating the right foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. People with kidney disease may need to watch their intake of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and fluids to prevent overworking their kidneys.

Eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins that are easy on the kidneys can be helpful, as well as choosing healthy oils and staying hydrated. Limiting foods high in salt, potassium, and phosphorus is also important.

Along with a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep can help support kidney health and improve overall wellness.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.

Kramer H.Diet and chronic kidney disease.Advances in Nutrition, 2019;10(4): S367-S379. doi:10.1093/advances/nmz011

National Kidney Foundation.Superfoods.

Kushwaha R, Vardhan PS, Kushwaha PP.Chronic kidney disease interplay with comorbidities and carbohydrate metabolism: a review.Life. 2024;14(1):13. doi:10.3390/life14010013

Ikizler TA, Burrowes JD, Byham-Gray LD, et al.KDOQI clinical practice guideline for nutrition in CKD: 2020 update.Am J Kidney Dis. 2020;76(3 Suppl 1):S1-S107. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.05.006

National Kidney Foundation.Nuts and seeds.

National Kidney Foundation.Healthy oils and fats.

Kidney Research UK.Why hydration is important for kidney health.

Kennedy OJ, Roderick P, Poole R, Parkes J.Coffee and kidney disease.Int J Clin Pract. 2017;71(8):e12980. doi:10.1111/ijcp.12980

American Kidney Fund.Top 5 healthy drinks for people with kidney disease.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Preventing chronic kidney disease.

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