Protein
Protein, fat, and carbohydrates are the three main parts that make up food. Protein is found in meats, nuts and seeds, dairy, and some vegetables. Your body must have some protein to build muscle, red blood cells, hormones, and much more. But, most people get far more protein than they really need. And, protein wastes can be hard on weak kidneys. The nitrogen in protein is removed by the kidneys as urea (blood urea nitrogen, or BUN).
Your doctor may ask you to follow a moderate protein diet. If so, you will need to learn to watch protein grams and limit your intake to about 1 gram per kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of body weight each day. A dietitian will help you to:
Weigh yourself and divide by 2.2 to find your weight in kilograms.
Learn the protein content of foods you like.
Eat less meat and more vegetables.
Watch your portion sizes so you stay in the right range.
Find other foods to make up for any protein calories you might be missing.
If your kidneys ever fail and you do dialysis, your meal plan will change. You will need to eat more protein again to make up for what you lose during treatment. If you have questions about protein, ask your care team.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is found in meat, poultry, fish, dairy, nuts, beans, and cola drinks. Weak kidneys can’t remove as much phosphorus from your blood. Try to limit the amount of phosphorus you eat. You doctor may prescribe phosphate “binders” to take with each meal and snack. These take the phosphorus out of your body.
Salt
Your body needs some sodium (found in salt) to help control fluid balance and blood pressure. But, many of us get far more salt in our diets than is healthy. And, if your blood pressure is high, a high–salt diet can make it worse — and further harm your kidneys. Ask your care team how much sodium you should aim for in a day.
Salt has been used for hundreds of years to preserve and “cure” meats like bacon. Today, salt is still found in high levels in many processed foods. Know your daily limit and read food labels. Watch portion sizes, too.
There are low–salt options or home–made substitutes for many of these foods. Avoid salt substitutes — many have too much potassium to be safe for you with CKD.
Some High Sodium Foods
Baking or pancake mixes
Breads, cereals, and crackers (some)
Canned soups and stews
Canned vegetables (rinse well, or try frozen instead)
Condiments, like ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, and salad dressings
Cottage cheese and some other cheeses
Pretzels, chips, cheese puffs
Foods with seasoning packets (like ramen noodles, mac and cheese, flavored rice, or pasta side dishes) and “Helper” foods
Frozen dinners
Pickled foods, olives
Processed meats, like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats
Tomato and vegetable juices; spaghetti sauce
Potassium
Healthy kidneys keep the mineral potassium in a very tight range in your blood. This is vital — since having too much or too little can stop your heart! When you have CKD, your kidneys can be less able to get rid of excess potassium and it can build up in your body to unsafe levels. Your doctor may ask you to limit potassium in your diet to keep you safe and protect your heart. Ask how much to aim for each day. The amount may change if your kidneys get worse. Some medicines, like diuretic (water pill) blood pressure pills, can change your blood level of potassium. You may need to have blood tests to check your level.
Some foods (like potatoes and squash) can be cut into small cubes and cooked to reduce the potassium. Bring the cubes to a boil and then drain. Add fresh water and bring to a boil again until cooked.
