Chronic Kidney Disease and Nutrition

Protein

Stages 1–2: Adhere to the Recommended Dietary Allowance.

Stages 3–5: Decreased

Dialysis: Increased

Builds and repairs muscle tissue. In stages 3–5 of kidney disease, it becomes more difficult for your body to filter out protein waste. Proteins then accumulate in the blood and the disease progresses.

During dialysis, a machine helps you filter the waste that has built up in your blood. During this process, some proteins will be lost, and thus more protein is needed to help the recovery process.

Beans, legumes, soy, and animal-based foods such as chicken, pork, fish, red meat, dairy, and eggs.

Fiber

Adhere to the Recommended Dietary Allowance.

Maintains digestive health. During kidney disease, consuming fiber may improve gut function and reduce inflammation.

Apricots, beets, figs, berries, eggplant, and summer squash.

Calcium

Decreased

Maintain bone and muscular strength. During kidney disease, there is an imbalance in bone metabolism, and thus more calcium may be stored in the blood vessels, which leads to heart disease.

Beans, figs, fortified orange juice, dark leafy greens, and dairy.

Phosphorus

Decreased

Aids in the formation of bones and teeth. During kidney disease, the body is unable to remove phosphorus well; excess phosphorus in the body may weaken the bones and lead to a buildup of phosphorus in the blood vessels, which contributes to heart disease.

Beans, legumes, and animal-based foods such as chicken, fish, and dairy.

Potassium

Decreased

Regulates heartbeat and muscle function. During kidney disease, excess potassium cannot be removed, which builds up in the body and leads to heart issues.

Fruits such as bananas, cantaloupe, and orange juice. Vegetables such as white and sweet potatoes, and tomato juice.

Sodium

Less than 2300 mg

Regulates nerve and muscle function. During kidney disease, excess sodium is not removed, which builds up in the body and increases your blood pressure.

Naturally found in animal-based foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Added to foods such as chips, crackers, sauces, desserts, dressings as well as a variety of processed foods to enhance flavor and texture and to preserve freshness.

Vitamin D

Increased

Forms and maintains bone strength and enhances the immune system. During kidney disease, your kidneys are not able to activate the vitamin D that you obtained through the sun or food sources. Low levels of vitamin D causes higher levels of parathyroid hormone to be excreted; this contributes to calcium being pulled from the bones into the blood and leads to weakened bones.

Eggs, fish such as salmon, fortified orange juice, and mushrooms.

Breakfast Ideas

Oatmeal with fruit and almonds

(1 serving)

Ingredients

• ½ cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup 0% fat plain Greek yogurt (to bulk)

• ½ cup frozen mixed berries or ½ cup diced medium apples (depending on the season)

• 1 tsp sliced almonds

Preparation

1. Add the oats, water, and cinnamon to a small pot.

2. Prepare oats according to package directions. The oatmeal is done when all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are thick and fluffy.

3. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Greek yogurt.

4. Serve in a bowl and top with fruit and almonds.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 14 g

Fiber: 7 g with mixed berries, 5 g with apple

Phosphorus: 233 mg with mixed berries, 236 mg with apple

Potassium: 236 mg

Sodium: 20 mg

Calcium: 122 mg

Vitamin D: 40 IU

Egg omelet (1 serving)

Ingredients

• ½ cup diced mushrooms (fresh or frozen)

• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper (fresh or frozen)

• 2 tbsp diced yellow onion

• 1 medium-sized egg

• cooking spray

• pinch of black pepper

Preparation

1. Apply cooking spray to the pan and sauté the mushrooms, red bell peppers, and onions for 5 minutes or until they are soft. Place on a plate.

2. Beat the egg and place in the sprayed pan. Season the egg with black pepper and cook over medium heat.

3. When the top surface of the egg has thickened, add the cooked vegetables. Fold in the vegetables and continue cooking until the omelet is set.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 7 g

Fiber: 2 g

Phosphorus: 133 mg

Potassium: 257 mg

Sodium: 70 mg

Calcium: 37 mg

Vitamin D: 40 IU

Peach pancakes (2 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized eggs

• 1 medium peach, chopped

• ½ cup quick oats

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• cooking spray

Preparation

1. Using a blender, blend oats until they resemble flour.

2. In the same blender, add the remaining ingredients and blend it thoroughly.

3. Heat up a pan and spray it with cooking spray. Pour half of the mixture into the pan and cook for 3 minutes or until bubbles are visible on the top. Turn the pancake over and cook it for 3 more minutes. Repeat this step once more for a total of 2 pancakes.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 9 g

Fiber: 3 g

Phosphorus: 177 mg

Potassium: 278 mg

Sodium: 65 mg

Calcium: 43 mg

Vitamin D: 40 IU

Lunch/Dinner Ideas

Penne pasta with chicken and asparagus (4 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 6 minced garlic cloves

• 8 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast cut in cubes.

• 1 lb frozen asparagus cut in 2" pieces

• 2 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 8 oz whole-wheat penne pasta, uncooked

• ¼ cup shredded low-sodium parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, omitting salt.

2. In a medium-sized skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic for 2–3 minutes. Add the cubed chicken pieces to the pan and let cook for 8 minutes.

3. Add asparagus, lemon juice, and black pepper to the skillet and cook for 6 min until crisp.

4. Drain pasta and transfer to a bowl. Toss pasta with the asparagus and chicken mixture. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 25 g

Fiber: 2 g

Phosphorus: 93 mg

Potassium: 282 mg

Sodium: 45 mg

Calcium: 83 mg

Vitamin D: 0 IU

Hearty vegetable soup (6 servings)

Ingredients

• 32 oz sodium-free vegetable broth

• 16 oz can low-sodium kidney beans

• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)

• 2 medium carrots (sliced)

• 3 celery stalks (diced)

• 2 cups frozen chopped green beans

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice

Preparation

1. Dice the onion and celery, and slice the carrots.

2. In a two-quart saucepan, mix all the ingredient and simmer at medium heat for 18 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the carrots are soft. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 8 g

Fiber: 10 g

Phosphorus: 197 mg

Potassium: 441 mg

Sodium: 210 mg

Calcium: 79 mg

Vitamin D: 0 IU

Salmon with cabbage and quinoa (4 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 lb head of green cabbage, cut into 1" thick slices

• 16 oz salmon, skin on (2 fillets)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 6 smashed garlic cloves

• ⅔ cup quinoa (uncooked)

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Prepare quinoa according to package instructions, omitting the salt. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. In a bowl, mix the garlic, black pepper, and olive oil, and fully coat the cabbage. Roast the coated cabbage for 30 minutes on the middle rack of the oven. After this time, carefully flip the cabbage.

3. Season salmon fillet with pepper and roast it on top of the cabbage for an additional 30 minutes.

4. After this time, the cabbage edges should be brown and crispy and salmon fully cooked. Serve with a portion of quinoa.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 11 g

Fiber: 2 g

Phosphorus: 122 mg

Potassium: 577 mg

Sodium: 340 mg

Calcium: 78 mg

Vitamin D: 0 IU

Snack Ideas

Berry oat shake (1 serving)

Ingredients

• ½ cup cooked and chilled oatmeal

• ⅔ cup rice milk

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup frozen mixed berries

Preparation

1. In a blender, add the oatmeal, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and berries to the preparation and blend until the desired consistency. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 4 g

Fiber: 3 g

Phosphorus: 182 mg

Potassium: 152 mg

Sodium: 70 mg

Calcium: 224 mg

Vitamin D: 80 IU

Apple slices with honey and cinnamon (1 serving)

Ingredients

• 1 medium gala apple

• 1 tbsp honey

• cinnamon powder to taste

Preparation

1. Cut apple into slices and place the slices on a plate.

2. Drizzle honey over the slices and top them with cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 0 g

Fiber: 1 g

Phosphorus: 18 mg

Potassium: 180 mg

Sodium: 0 mg

Calcium: 14 mg

Vitamin D: 0 IU

Hummus (3 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz can) low-sodium chickpeas

• 1 fresh lemon (juice)

• ¼ cup tahini

• 1 tbsp chopped garlic

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• 3 tbsp water or as needed

• 1 tbsp olive oil to decorate

Preparation

1. Drain the chickpeas and reserve.

2. In a food processor, blend the lemon juice and tahini for 1 minute, scraping down the sides of your blender after 30 seconds. Add the olive oil, garlic, and cumin. Blend it for another 1 minute, scraping after 30 seconds.

3. Add half of the chickpeas and blend for 1 minute, scraping after 30 seconds. Add the remaining chickpeas and blend for an additional 1 minute, scraping after 30 seconds.

4. Add water to your hummus, to obtain the desired consistency.

5. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Drizzle the remaining olive oil on top.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Protein: 5 g

Fiber: 7 g

Phosphorus: 138 mg

Potassium: 159 mg

Sodium: 100 mg

Calcium: 43 mg

Vitamin D: 0 IU

For further information about CKD and kidney-friendly recipes, visit:

National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org/nutrition

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition