A renal diet is a diet aimed at keeping levels of fluids, electrolytes, and minerals balanced in the body in individuals with chronic kidney disease or who are on dialysis. The kidneys filter out excess nutrients and make urine, but if you have kidney disease, some nutrients can build up and damage your kidneys. A renal diet can help protect you from kidney damage by controlling important nutrients such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. A renal diet is typically low in sodium, phosphorus, and protein, and emphasizes the importance of consuming high-quality protein and usually limiting fluids. Some patients may also need to limit potassium and calcium. Every person’s body is different, and therefore, it is crucial that each patient works with a renal dietitian to come up with a diet that is tailored to their needs. Here are some tips to follow for a renal diet:
- Reduce salt/sodium intake
- Limit high-potassium foods
- Limit high-phosphorus foods
- Limit high-protein foods
- Choose fresh foods and cook from scratch as much as possible
- Work with a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan that includes foods that you enjoy eating while maintaining your kidney health
