A Guide To The Best Foods For Kidney Health (2024)

“When someone is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it means that their kidneys have lost some amount of function,” explains Jeff Giullian, M.D., chief medical officer for DaVita Kidney Care based in Denver.

If your kidneys aren’t working properly, toxins can build up in your body that can negatively impact how hormones function, particularly ones that regulate bone health, vitamin D status and red blood cell production, adds Melanie Betz, a dietitian and founder of The Kidney Dietitian based in the greater Chicago area.

Kidney Disease: Stats and Stages

CKD affects a lot of people, typically not showing symptoms until it is very advanced, with serious impacts for your overall health.

For example, approximately one in seven people in the U.S. (37 million people) ^[1]Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed 12/31/23. experience CKD and 90% of people with CKD may not even be aware of their diagnosis.^[2]Kidney Disease: The Basics. National Kidney Foundation. Accessed 1/1/24.

The two most common risk factors for CKD are high blood pressure and diabetes. These two conditions account for about 75% of CKD cases.^[3]Chronic Kidney Disease Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 12/31/23.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, there are five stages of CKD, with stage one being the least severe and stage five the most severe. Stage five is when an individual may need a kidney transplant or to start dialysis (a treatment that filters and purifies the blood using a machine).

CKD is ranked the tenth cause of death for Americans by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.^[4]Kidney Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 1/9/24.

Following a healthy diet can usually prevent the development of CKD in at-risk people (for example, people with diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease) and slow the loss of kidney function in those with established CKD, notes Joseph Vassalotti, M.D., chief medical officer for the National Kidney Foundation based in New York City.

Diets like the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet or a plant-based diet are linked with a lower risk of developing CKD or delaying the progression to a worsening state of CKD. That’s likely due to the fact that these diets do a good job of controlling for risk factors like elevated blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and blood lipids like cholesterol that can lead to additional strain on kidney function.

Foods included in these diets primarily consist of:

• Animal or plant-based proteins (including small portions of chicken, fish, eggs, tofu and some beans, or lower phosphorus cheeses like brie)
• Complex carbohydrates (such as fruits, vegetables and grains) high in fiber and antioxidants
• Healthy fats (like oils, seeds or nuts)

People living with CKD may also need to avoid ultra-high protein diets, ultra-processed foods and limit sodium, phosphorus or potassium intake, as these nutrients can put additional stress on the kidneys, explains Dr. Giullian.

But, when it comes to CKD, there’s no one-size-fits-all diet that works for everyone.

Because diet is such an essential part of keeping the kidneys healthy, it’s important to work with a nephrologist (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of CKD) who can refer you to a registered dietitian; an expert in developing personalized diet plans that can be used to manage CKD and work for your taste, budget and cultural needs.

Can Diet Actually Repair the Kidneys?

It’s possible to prevent CKD through early detection, managing blood sugar and blood pressure, regular exercise, eating a kidney-friendly diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, explains Dr. Giullian.

However, once the kidneys are damaged, they cannot be “repaired” in the same way that other tissues in the body might regenerate, adds Kristen Carli, a registered dietitian and owner of Camelback Nutrition and Wellness in Arizona.

“There is less evidence that healthy eating patterns can reverse kidney disease,” explains Dr. Vassalotti. He adds that while he has cared for people who improved their CKD with healthy eating and healthy weight, these people are probably outliers.

Betz explains that at the very least, making small dietary changes can play a huge role in slowing or stopping the progression of CKD.

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Researchers, like Casey M. Rebholz, Ph.D., an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studying CKD, suggest the evidence on the top foods for CKD is evolving beyond restricting individual nutrients, like potassium, to more holistic aspects of the diet.

“For example, current clinical guidelines now mention the benefits of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing dietary acid load and adhering to an overall Mediterranean dietary pattern,” she adds.

Here are 10 of the top foods that experts recommend for kidney health.

Red Grapes

Red grapes are rich in flavonoids and resveratrol (a plant-based compound found mostly in red colored fruits), which may help slow aging, explains Holly Mattix-Kramer, M.D., who has expertise in nephrology at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. “Loss of nephrons (the working unit of the kidney) occurs with aging, so foods that may slow the aging process will benefit the kidneys,” she says.

Berries

Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in plant-based antioxidants, including anthocyanins. “These antioxidants help protect the kidneys from oxidative stress and inflammation,” adds Carli.

Salmon

Oily fish, like salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation, says Dr. Mattix-Kramer. Lowering inflammation in CKD is important because it can directly impact how well the kidneys function and can even worsen the progression of CKD. Oily fish is also a source of vitamin D, she adds. Because people with CKD are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, including foods high in this nutrient is important.

Tofu

Tofu is a plant-based protein that provides all the essential amino acids (which is important, since the body cannot produce these essential amino acids on its own), is low in phosphorus and potassium, and rich in omega-3s and minerals like magnesium. Because it’s a good source of protein and fiber, it’s a nutritious option for those who are trying to protect their kidneys but also looking to keep their protein levels in a good place.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Raw kale and green cabbage are leafy greens that are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, according to Carli. “They are also relatively low in potassium, making them suitable for individuals with kidney disease who need to manage their potassium intake,” she says.

Avocadoes

Heart health is crucial for people with CKD, and avocados are full of heart-healthy fats, says Betz. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart health is directly linked to kidney health because when the kidneys do not work properly, the heart needs to work harder to move blood around the body. Poor heart health is also a significant risk factor for CKD. Avocados are not a significant source of sodium or phosphorus, but they are rich in potassium. Potassium from foods like avocados in CKD should be managed on an individual basis.

Egg Whites

Egg whites provide complete protein with less phosphorus than other protein sources such as meats or even the egg yolk, explains Dr. Giullian. The ratio of phosphorus-to-protein in a whole egg is 13.4 milligrams of phosphorus per gram of protein, but an egg white contains only 1.4 milligrams of phosphorus per gram of protein. ^[5]Tallman DA, Sahathevan S, Karupaiah T, Khosla P. Egg intake in chronic kidney disease. Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1945.

Apples

“Apples are high in fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds and can be eaten many ways,” explains Dr. Giullian. A diet high in antioxidants is helpful for reducing inflammatory processes that are experienced by people with CKD, he adds. Leave the peel on for the most antioxidants.

Lentils

Lentils are a plant-based protein and excellent source of fiber. “Eating more protein from plant foods, rather than animal protein foods, can help reduce acidosis [a buildup of acid in the bloodstream] in kidney disease and ultimately slow the progression of disease,” notes Betz.

Zucchini

If you need to watch your phosphorus intakes, zucchini is a low-phosphorus vegetable, notes Carli. “It can be incorporated into various dishes, such as stir fries or casseroles,” she adds.

While a healthy diet should be part of your CKD management plan, it’s often not enough to stop progression or support treatment alone across all stages of disease, especially if you have moderate to severe CKD, explains Dr. Mattix-Kramer and Betz.

Toward the later stages of CKD (stage five, also known as end-stage renal disease), the kidneys have failed or are very close to failing, and more comprehensive treatments beyond diet or nutrition, such as dialysis or a kidney transplantation, may be required.

“Check with your physician if your kidney disease indicates medication or medications to slow disease progression,” explains Dr. Mattix-Kramer. Several medication classes are available to treat many different types of kidney diseases, she adds.

Ultimately, there is no cure for CKD, but there are treatments and lifestyle choices to support kidney health, notes Dr. Giullian and Dr. Vassalotti. That’s why it’s important to follow up with a doctor to regularly assess your kidney function, blood sugar and blood pressure, and review your management options, including diet.