Background Information

The kidney has many important functions in the body. One of these functions is getting rid of the waste products that build up in the body as a result of metabolizing food. Specifically, the waste product UREA is produced from the protein you eat in foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. When your kidneys are not functioning properly the accumulation of urea in the blood can make you feel ill- weakness, nausea and confusion are some of the symptoms described by patients. Food may taste metallic or you may find that food has little taste at all.

Another function of the kidney is to regulate the amount of potassium, phosphorus and other minerals in the blood. When the kidneys are not doing this job, unhealthy levels can accumulate in the blood, causing problems.

Dietary Guidelines (pre-dialysis)

The purpose of the chronic kidney disease diet is to limit the amount of protein in the diet so that less urea is produced. It is thought also that by giving the kidney less “work” to do (less urea to get rid of) it is possible to preserve the kidney function you have or slow down the loss of function. Another goal of the diet is to control blood pressure, since many people with chronic kidney disease also have high blood pressure. This is done by limiting sodium, or salt in the diet. Some patients also must limit potassium in the diet. Your doctor will tell you whether this is the case for you. In later stages of chronic kidney disease you may also have to limit another mineral, phosphorus.

Sodium

• SODIUM is restricted to about 3000 mg per day.
• Do not add salt to food.
• Avoid any canned soups, sauces, vegetables, etc. unless labeled “low sodium” or   “no added salt”.
• Avoid all processed foods such as frozen dinners, seasoned convenience foods, such as “Rice-a Roni”, soup mixes, etc.
• Avoid salted snack foods such as chips, crackers, nuts unless labeled “no added salt”.
• Avoid seasoning mixes containing sodium or monosodium glutamate as an ingredient.
• Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium chloride, or seasoning or broth mixes containing this as an ingredient.
• Do read labels and avoid products with more than 200 mg of sodium per serving.
• Be aware that “reduced sodium “ products can be fairly high in sodium and use them sparingly.
• Do use fresh or dried herbs, or spices such as chili powder, garlic powder, and curry to season food.

Protein

• PROTEIN is restricted to about 60 grams per day.
• This means limiting your total intake for the day of meat, poultry and fish to 6 ounces.
• Ideally this should be divided between lunch and dinner- 3oz. at lunch and 3oz. at dinner (or 2oz. and 4oz. if you prefer a larger portion at dinner).
• A 3 oz. portion is about the size of a chicken thigh, small lamb chop or small hamburger patty.
• A 2 oz. portion would be 2 slices of turkey or ½ small can of tuna.
• A 4 oz. portion of meat is the size of a deck of cards.
• Other sources of protein are eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt. One egg or 1 oz. cheese contains as much protein as 1 oz of meat and can be substituted if they have not been restricted in your diet for other reasons. You may use a small amount of milk in your coffee and/or cereal. Limit to 1 cup per day or less. If you do not use milk, one cup of yogurt can substitute.

Potassium

POTASSIUM may need to be restricted in later stages of chronic kidney disease. Ask your doctor if you need to restrict this mineral in your diet. 

Foods high in potassium are:

Potatoes, plantains and other root vegetables, bananas, oranges, tropical fruits such as mango and papaya, tomato products such as tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato soup, tomato or V-8 juice, dried fruits, nuts and peanut butter, dried beans, chocolate, sports drinks.