Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a Kidney Diet

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis from a physician.

When you’ve been diagnosed with  or told that you need, you face making considerable changes to how you go about your everyday life, including starting a diet . Depending on what kidney disease  you’re in, your diet will be prescribed for your particular needs. Here are some tips to help make a kidney diet fit into your life.

Talk to a renal dietitian

Your renal dietitian, along with your doctor, will help you figure out what foods and beverages are best for your individual needs.

Track your nutritional values

One way to make following a kidney diet easier is to track your nutritional values (if you are a DaVita® patient) or ask that they be printed for you at your next doctor visit. You can discuss your results with your dietitian to make sure you are within your target range for certain nutrients.

Get extra help with meal-planning tools

For some, thinking about planning meals for the day, let alone an entire week, can feel like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. the online kidney diet tool that can do the work for you. Wake up to daily meal plans, save your favorite recipes, track your nutrition goals and view shopping lists all in one place—even on your mobile device.

Read labels when you go grocery shopping

Being a choosy consumer can be good for your health, especially when you’re tackling your grocery list. Check food labels to view the sodium, potassium and phosphorus contents, as these are nutrients that should be limited in a kidney diet. Unfortunately, not all nutrition fact labels are required to list nutrient amounts for phosphorus and potassium. 

Flavor your meals without the salt shaker

Monitoring your consumption of sodium is another way to adjust to the kidney diet. A low-sodium meal plan helps regulate blood pressure and reduces fluid retention in the body. Ask your dietitian about herb blends, spices or lemon juice to help flavor your favorite foods.

Dine out with a game plan in mind

If you know you’re going out to eat, try to consume less sodium during the rest of the day. A typical meal at a restaurant has more sodium than foods you cook at home. Also, look up the restaurant’s menu online to find foods that are closest to your diet requirements. And consider portions—share a dish with others or ask your waiter to box half of your entrée when it gets to your table.