Eating with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can involve more thought than simply choosing foods that seem healthy. You may find yourself reading labels, reconsidering familiar snacks, or trying to balance kidney health with other medical needs.

There isn’t one eating plan that’s right for everyone with CKD. Individual nutrition needs may depend on your:

MyKidneyDiseaseTeam members have shared the challenges and strategies they’ve encountered while figuring out what to eat. Their experiences can offer ideas, but your healthcare team or a registered dietitian with expertise in kidney disease — sometimes called a renal dietitian — can help you understand which dietary changes are appropriate for you.

Here are six practical lessons from members’ experiences.

After a CKD diagnosis, grocery shopping may start to feel different. Some members said they spend more time looking at labels and ingredients.

When one MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member asked about ways to lower their potassium levels, another responded, “You have to be careful reading all labels on foods. You will be very surprised by the amount of potassium.”

“You have to be careful reading all labels on foods. You will be very surprised by the amount of potassium.”

 

— A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member

Comparing labels can be frustrating at times, so be prepared: “I am literally walking around the grocery store with a magnifying glass so I can read labels and compare things. It’s enough to drive you nuts.”

Reading labels can help you compare foods, but you may not need to monitor every nutrient on every package.

Know What Matters for You

People with CKD may receive different nutrition recommendations based on their health needs. Depending on your situation, your doctor or dietitian may recommend monitoring your intake of:

Rather than following nutrient limits shared by another person, ask your healthcare team which parts of a label you need to pay particular attention to.

A renal dietitian can help you turn those recommendations into practical choices at the grocery store.

“What can I snack on?” sounds like a simple question. For people with CKD, however, the answer may depend on their individual nutrition needs.

As one MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member put it, “It’s a real challenge trying to find foods that are safe for our kidneys. I eat blueberries and pears daily. My diet is limited, though, because I can’t eat any dairy or gluten.”

Members sometimes find that changing a familiar food gives them another option. One shared, “I switched from bananas to strawberries on my cereal in the morning.”

“I switched from bananas to strawberries on my cereal in the morning.”

 

— A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member

Bananas, along with several other foods, are high in potassium, a nutrient some people with CKD are advised to limit.

That doesn’t mean everyone with CKD needs to make the same swap. Foods that fit one person’s eating plan may not fit another person’s needs. Fortunately, there are plenty of kidney-friendly snacks out there.

Build a Short List of Go-To Foods

Instead of trying to memorize long lists of foods to eat or avoid, consider asking a renal dietitian for several snacks and simple meals that fit your individual needs. Include foods you enjoy and can easily get. Having a few reliable options can make everyday decisions less overwhelming.

Some people with kidney disease need to follow a low-protein diet to protect their kidneys and prevent complications like proteinuria and kidney damage. Members have discussed plant-based sources of protein, including beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu.

One MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member described making their own hummus: “Hummus is great for a late-night snack while relaxing. I rinse a can of chickpeas, add it to my food processor with tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, etc,, and blend it.”

Another shared, “Lentils are really good. Chickpeas too. Look for low-sodium versions or rinse well to get rid of some salt. You can use lentils for tacos instead of beef or chicken.”

“Lentils are really good. Chickpeas too. Look for low-sodium versions or rinse well to get rid of some salt.”

 

— A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member

These are examples of what individual members eat, not a meal plan for everyone with kidney disease.

Ask How Much Protein You Need

Rather than making major changes to protein intake based on someone else’s CKD diet, ask your healthcare team or renal dietitian what is appropriate for you. Your needs may differ depending on factors such as your kidney health and whether you receive dialysis. A professional can also help you fit protein choices into the rest of your eating plan.

CKD often isn’t the only consideration at mealtime. Some MyKidneyDiseaseTeam members are also managing diabetes, heart conditions, food intolerances, or other health concerns.

One member described how difficult eating can feel when several issues are involved: “I have absolutely no appetite! I don’t know what to eat. … I have type 2 diabetes and other issues.”

Another member described the ongoing challenge of making food choices while managing multiple conditions: “What I eat is still a struggle since I have diabetes and high blood pressure.”

Trying to combine several sets of food rules on your own can quickly become confusing. According to the National Kidney Foundation, a kidney-friendly eating plan may need to account for your:

Make One Plan for the Whole Person

Tell your healthcare team if recommendations for different conditions seem to conflict. A renal dietitian can consider your kidney disease alongside your other health needs and help you understand which dietary priorities apply to you. Individual guidance may be more useful than trying to combine several generic diet lists.

Sometimes the biggest food challenge isn’t choosing what to eat. It’s having little interest in eating at all.

One MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member said, “I’ve been on a renal diet for the past few years. I’ve been doing good. Drink mostly water. But for the past almost two weeks, I’ve lost my appetite, and this intermittent itching is driving me crazy.”

Another member described an even bigger change: “I’ve lost all sense of taste and smell and have dropped from 195 pounds down to 159 pounds. I have no pleasure in eating. I can’t even enjoy popcorn.”

Loss of appetite, changes in taste or smell, and unintentional weight loss can have different causes. They shouldn’t automatically be assumed to be a normal part of CKD.

Tell Your Healthcare Team About Changes

Let a healthcare professional know about new or persistent appetite changes, problems eating, changes in taste or smell, or unintentional weight loss. They can evaluate what may be contributing and determine whether additional medical or nutrition support would be helpful.

Some members have found that moderation helps them think about food without dividing everything into allowed or forbidden foods.

“I eat a variety of things and find it best if I eat in moderation. I stay away from salts as best as possible and watch how much protein I consume,” one MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member shared.

“I eat a variety of things and find it best if I eat in moderation. I stay away from salts as best as possible and watch how much protein I consume.”

 

— A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member

Another member’s experience was very different: “My nephrologist did not restrict my diet. I think he was happy I ate, given all the medical issues I have to deal with throughout my life.”

The contrast is important. One person with CKD may have been told to monitor certain nutrients closely, while another may have different priorities. “Everything in moderation” doesn’t override individualized medical advice.

Your Eating Plan May Change

Your nutrition needs may change as your health, treatment, lab results, or other medical needs change. Check in with your healthcare team before adding restrictions simply because another person with CKD follows them.

The reverse is also true: Someone else’s lack of restrictions doesn’t mean you should stop following recommendations you’ve received.