A renal diet (kidney-friendly diet) is a special way of eating made for people who have kidney problems or are at risk of getting them. The goal of this diet is to protect the kidneys by reducing certain foods that can be hard for them to handle. Since everyone’s condition is different, it’s important to follow a meal plan made just for you by a renal dietitian to keep your kidneys healthy while still getting the nutrients your body needs.
Main Highlights of a Renal Diet:
- Low Protein – Helps reduce the workload on the kidneys.
- Low Sodium (Salt) – Controls blood pressure and prevents fluid build-up.
- Limited Potassium – Protects the heart from rhythm problems.
- Low Phosphorus – Keeps bones healthy and prevents itching or weakness.
- Right Amount of Fluids – Avoids too much or too little water in the body.
- Balanced Nutrition – Gives enough energy, vitamins, and minerals despite food restrictions.
- Personalized Plan – Diet is tailored to each person’s kidney condition, lab results, and overall health.
“Know Your Renal Diet” Series
Struggling to figure out what kind of diet or foods are safe for your kidneys?
You’re not alone, many patients are caught up in the confusion of what to eat and what to avoid. So, I’m here to make it simple, colorful, and kidney-friendly!
In this series, I’ll be sharing about what you can safely enjoy in a renal diet. From the safest fruits to the best veggie choices, this is your go-to guide for eating well while protecting your kidneys.
Let’s take the confusion off your plate—one healthy option at a time!
“Know your renal diet” Series
Vegetables
- In every meal, our plate is mostly filled with Vegetables; whether in the form of dry veg or curries or salads or soups or mixing it with other food groups like Dalia or Dal (Sambhar) etc.
- Known for their low-fat content, cholesterol-free quality, loaded with anti-oxidants, providing vitamins and minerals and health-friendly, vegetables can be the best friends to those who are on a weight loss journey, for better digestive health, reducing cancer risk, maintaining blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular health, and even kidney diseases
- Not every vegetable can be served on your plate, as being high in mineral potassium, which should be taken in controlled amounts by a CKD patient or those on dialysis.
“Know your renal diet” Series
Fruits
- Fruits are considered to be easy-to-go, natural, handy snacks. Being loved by everyone, it provides immense benefits for keeping our health in check.
- When the kidneys are damaged, they can’t remove waste properly, leading to a buildup in the body that causes other health issues. To reduce this burden, CKD and dialysis patients are advised to limit fruit intake, as many fruits are high in potassium, antioxidants, and other minerals.
- Limiting potassium will protect your heart.
- With the limited fruit options, the size of the fruit per serving that you eat is also important.
- 📌Many servings of low-potassium fruit can easily turn it into a high-potassium fruit.
“Know your renal diet” Series
Fluid Intake
- If you are on dialysis; then you need to be extra cautious on your fluid and salt intake.
Why ?
- Because once the kidneys are damaged and no longer function properly; it causes the retention of excess fluid in our body and are unable to produce enough urine.
- Here, dialysis helps to remove this extra fluid from the body. However, they cannot remove enough.
- Therefore, it becomes important to restrict your daily fluid intake and sodium (salt) intake to prevent fluid retention and fluid overload.
- If any extra fluid cause build-up between dialysis sessions, it will result in the following issues such as headaches, low energy, swelling in your face, hands and feet known as oedema, shortness of breath or breathlessness and increased blood pressure.
As discussed, the impact of fluid overload on a dialysis body; here, below are listed some tips for fluid management and to keep the body cool without gulping down extras and stay safe during warmer months:
Easy Tips to Manage Fluid Intake in Kidney Disease:
- Say no to too much salt and spices
- Keep sour candy or chewing gum handy
- Watch for hidden fluids in food
- Stay in cool environments
- Sip, don’t gulp your drinks
- Prefer ice cubes over liquids
- Take medicines with meals (if allowed)
- Use mouthwash or brush teeth for dry mouth
- Keep blood sugar well-controlled (if diabetic)
- Use small glasses for drinks
- Maintain a daily fluid journal
- Plan your fluid allowance ahead
- Adjust intake for social events
- Weigh yourself regularly
- Freeze your allowed fruits as treats
- Prefer coolers or humidifiers over AC
- Use sun protection gear outdoors
- Drape skin with a cool, moist cloth
- Avoid heavy physical activity
- Choose cold drinks over hot ones
- Take a cool head shower to feel refreshed
