![If you have chronic kidney disease, it is crucial to track food and fluid intake because diseased kidneys can't remove waste products from the body like healthy kidneys can. Good foods that help repair your kidneys include apples, blueberries, fish, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/strawberries.jpg?output-quality=75)
If you have chronic kidney disease, it is crucial to track food and fluid intake because diseased kidneys can’t remove waste products from the body as healthy kidneys can.
Here are the top kidney-friendly foods that can help repair your kidneys and help you stay healthier longer:
- Apples: Apples are a good source of pectin, a soluble fiber. It can lower cholesterol and glucose levels. It has high antioxidant levels. Fresh apples are also a good source of vitamin C.
- Blueberries: Blueberries are a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C. Studies say it has the potential to protect against cancer and heart disease and provides brain health benefits.
- Fish: Certain fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is an essential nutrient to control blood clotting and build cell membranes in the brain. Studies say it may decrease the risk of an abnormal heartbeat, decrease triglyceride levels, and lower blood pressure slightly. They may potentially provide benefits in conditions such as cancer, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Kale: Kale is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and many minerals. It is also a source of carotenoids and flavonoids, which are beneficial for eye health and cancer protection. It also contains vitamin K, which is a natural blood thinner. It has a moderate potassium level. Therefore, people on dialysis must avoid it.
- Spinach: Spinach is high in vitamins A, C, and K and folate. The beta-carotene found in spinach helps to boost your immunity and protect your vision. It is also a good source of magnesium.
- Sweet potato: Sweet potato is low in sugar and high in soluble fiber. This helps you feel full.
Other 25 healthy foods that can fight kidney disease include:
- Cranberries
- Arugula
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Plums
- Pineapples
- Peaches
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Radishes
- Summer squash
- Garlic
- Egg whites without yolks
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Water
- Olive oil
- Skinless chicken has less potassium and sodium than the skin on
- Macadamia nuts
- Turnips are a great alternative to potatoes and winter squash
What does a kidney-friendly diet do?
Your kidneys' major function is to get rid of waste and extra fluid from your body through your urine. They also balance the body’s minerals and fluids and make a hormone that regulates your blood pressure.
A kidney-friendly diet will help protect your kidneys from further damage. You must limit some food and fluids, so other fluids and minerals such as electrolytes do not build up in your body. Also, you must ensure that you are getting the right intake of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals in your daily diet.
If you have early-stage kidney disease, there are a few food items you must limit. But as your disease worsens, you must be more careful about your daily food intake.
What are the ways to make a kidney-friendly and diabetic diet work together?
If you have diabetes along with kidney disease, you need to control your blood sugar to prevent more damage to your kidneys. A diabetic diet and a kidney-friendly diet share a lot of the same food items, but there are some important differences. There are some ways your kidney-friendly diet and diabetic diet can work together.
Below are a few food items that are good for you, if you’re diagnosed with both diabetes and kidney disease.
- Fruits: Berries, papaya, cherries, apples, and plums
- Vegetables: Cauliflower, onions, and spinach
- Proteins: Lean meats (poultry, fish), eggs, and unsalted seafood
- Carbohydrates: Whole-wheat bread, sandwich buns, unsalted crackers, and pasta
- Fluids: Water, clear soups, and unsweetened tea
- If you drink orange juice to treat low blood sugar, switch to kidney-friendly apple juice. It will provide the same blood sugar boost with a lot less potassium.
- Late-stage disease: Your blood sugar levels get better with late-stage kidney disease, possibly because of changes in how the body uses insulin.
- Dialysis: If you are on dialysis, your blood sugar can increase because the fluid used to filter your blood contains a high blood sugar level. Your doctor will monitor you closely and decide whether you will need insulin and other diabetes medicines.
Your doctor and/or dietician will help you to create a meal plan that helps you control your blood sugar level while limiting sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and fluids in the body.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/kidney_stone_s1_crystal.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment See SlideshowWhat food items should you limit in kidney disease?
Many food items that are part of a typical healthy diet may not be right for you if you’re suffering from kidney disease.
If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, your doctor may recommend limiting certain food items such as:
- Salt: Avoid table salt and high-sodium seasoning food items. Sodium affects your blood pressure and helps maintain the water level in your body. If you have ankle swelling, high blood pressure, breathing difficulty, and fluid build-up around your heart and lungs, you must avoid salt. You must aim for less than 1,500 milligrams of salt in your daily diet. Use spices or herbs instead of salt. Stay away from packaged food and read labels while shopping. Focus on fresh, home-cooked food. You will get used to food with less salt or no salt within a week or two.
- Potassium: In kidney disease, high potassium levels can build up in your blood and cause serious heart problems. The right level of this mineral keeps your nerves and muscles working well. Avoid tomatoes, oranges, bananas, potatoes, avocados, broccoli, and whole-grain bread, as they are high in potassium. Eat apples, carrots, and salads. Your doctor may recommend a potassium binder to help your body get rid of extra potassium. The doctor may recommend eating foods such as apples, cranberries, strawberries, cabbage, cauliflower, and cucumber.
- Protein: Though protein is important for your body, more protein makes your kidneys work harder and may worsen kidney disease. Consult your dietitian to determine the right combination and amount of protein for you. You may need to cut foods such as meat, seafood, and dairy products.
- Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a mineral that keeps your bones strong and healthy. In kidney disease, your kidneys can’t remove extra phosphorus from your blood very well. It may weaken the bone and may damage your blood vessels, eyes, and heart further. You may even get heart disease. Avoid high phosphorus-containing food items such as meat, fish, dairy, beans, nuts, whole-grain bread, packaged foods, and dark-colored sodas. If you have late-stage kidney disease, your doctor may advise you to have less than 1000 milligrams of phosphorus-rich foods in your diet daily. Choose low-level phosphorus foods such as fresh fruits, veggies, corn, rice, and cereal.
- Calcium: Your doctor may also advise you to avoid over-the-counter calcium supplements and to cut back on calcium-rich foods such as dairy foods. Foods that are high in calcium also tend to be high in phosphorus.
- Fluids: Generally, you need to maintain the water level in your body. However, in early-stage kidney disease, you must limit your fluid levels. Because damaged kidneys do not get rid of extra fluid, too much fluid can be dangerous for you. It can even cause high blood pressure, swelling, and heart failure. It can also build up extra fluid around your lungs and you may have difficulty breathing. You must also need to cut back on some foods that contain a lot of water such as ice cream, gelatin, watermelon, and grapes.
Depending upon the stage of your kidney disease, your doctor will advise you to reduce the potassium, phosphorus, and protein levels in your diet.
Health News
- One Death, 10 Hospitalizations in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Peaches, Plums
- Charity Scams Get Active Over the Holidays: Expert Tips to Avoid Them
- Too Few Seniors Get Follow-up Care After a Serious Fall
- AI Could Predict a Nonsmoker's Risk for Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
More Health News »
What fruit is bad for kidneys?
![are bananas bad for kidneys?](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/what-is-difference-between-banana-and-plantain.jpg)
Most fruits are not harmful in individuals with healthy kidneys. When the kidneys are damaged or people suffer from renal disease, the filtration process is disrupted and waste products are retained in the body. Accumulation of waste or toxic substances in the blood may further damage the kidneys.
- Foods heavy in minerals, such as salt, potassium, and phosphorus, stress the kidneys and may cause further renal damage.
- Among these compounds, avoiding potassium-rich foods and high sodium diet is highly essential in situations, especially kidney damage.
- Dietary modifications are recommended to avoid these substances that increase stress in the kidneys.
The kidneys are essential organs of the body that perform multiple functions, such as:
- Filtration of toxic and waste substances from the body through the urine
- Production of hormone that stimulates red blood cells production
- Maintenance of the body’s mineral balance
Although fruits are typically quite beneficial to have in the diet, certain fruits are high in potassium and should be avoided by patients with renal disease, which include:
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges and grapefruit
- Prunes and prune juice
- Apricots
- Dried fruits, such as dates and raisins
- Melons, such as honeydew and cantaloupe
The citric acid in oranges may increase the risk of developing kidney stones in patients with kidney damage. Salt and salt substitutes that are made with potassium are to be avoided. If levels of potassium or other toxic substances increase in the body, the patient may undergo dialysis.
Dialysis is a procedure used to eliminate waste products and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys do not function properly. This procedure is usually performed by redirecting the blood into a machine for cleaning.
How to extract potassium from fruits
If possible, substitute fresh or frozen fruits with canned fruits. The potassium in canned products leaches into the water or juice, thus reducing potassium levels in the fruits. If a person includes this juice in their meal or consumes it, their potassium levels may rise.
The juice often has a high salt content, which causes the body to retain water. This can result in kidney issues. So, before consuming canned fruits, they must drain the juice and rinse the fruits thoroughly to reduce the salt and potassium content.
Soaking in water and rinsing the fresh fruits thoroughly before consuming helps eliminate unwanted compounds.
What are the effects of high potassium in the body?
Patients with kidney damage or diseases may have high potassium levels in the body even after they consume the daily recommended dose.
Healthy people aged 19 years and older should take at least between 3,400 mg and 2,600 mg of potassium per day, respectively. However, if the kidneys malfunction, the dose should be reduced.
Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the body) may lead to:
- Abdomen pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness in the limbs
- Difficulty breathing
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Palpitations of the heart (fast or fluttering heartbeat)
Consult a doctor if the symptoms worsen.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medscape Medical Reference
American Kidney Fund https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/kidney-friendly-diet-for-ckd.html
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/what-to-eat.html
National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/content/7-kidney-friendly-superfoods
NIDDK https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/eating-right
Cleveland Clinic. Hyperkalemia (High Potassium). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15184-hyperkalemia-high-blood-potassium
WebMD. Potassium Rich Foods. https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-rich-in-potassium#1
https://clevelandurology.net/posts/kidney-health/20-healthful-foods-for-fighting-kidney-disease/
Top What Foods Help Repair Kidneys Related Articles
Can You Live With Stage I Kidney Disease?
Because you can halt further kidney damage with diet modification and supportive treatment, patients can live an extra 30 years following their stage I CKD diagnosis.How Can I Check My Kidneys at Home?
Albumin home test kits and smartphone-enabled home urinalysis devices are available to check your kidney function at home.How Do I Get Rid of a Cyst on My Kidney?
Learn what medical treatments can help get rid of your kidney cysts and speed up your recovery.How Long Can You Live With Stage 5 Kidney Disease?
Although the lifespan of stage 5 kidney disease depends on certain factors, the average length of time a patient lives ranges from 5-10 years.How Long Do Kidney Transplants Last?
The duration for which a transplanted kidney lasts may vary from person to person. On average, kidney transplants may last for around 10-12 years.Kidney Disease Quiz
Kidney disease is common. Take this kidney disease quiz to test your knowledge and learn the symptoms, causes and types of kidney disease and what foods to eat and avoid!Kidney (Renal) Failure
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, or medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure include sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis.
Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones.Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
Kidney Health: Conditions That Affect Your Kidneys
Your kidneys help filter all the waste products your body builds up in its natural processes. Learn more from WebMD about the medical problems that can harm them.Kidney Stone Slideshow
What causes kidney stones? Where is kidney stone pain located on your body? Learn the symptoms and signs of kidney stone pain. Explore kidney stone treatment and how to prevent kidney stones.Kidneys Picture
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. See a picture of the Kidneys and learn more about the health topic.How Long Can a Nephrostomy Tube Remain in the Kidney?
A nephrostomy tube can remain in the kidney as long as the obstruction in your urinary tract does not get relieved. It may need to stay in for a short time such as till a stone passes naturally. It may be needed for only two to three days, or it may need to stay in for a much longer period to allow a more permanent solution for the blockage to be organized.Surprising Things That Can Hurt Your Kidneys
Your kidneys do a lot for you. But are you helping or hurting them? Click through the WebMD quiz to find out how you might be damaging your kidneys without even knowing it.Ways to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
You might know that more than a drink or two a day is bad for your health. But in some cases, any alcohol at all may not be a great idea.What Are the Most Common Kidney Diseases?
The most common type of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Other diseases include acute kidney injury, stones, infections, cysts, and cancer.What Is a Kidney Ureter Bladder X-Ray Study?
A kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) X-ray is a diagnostic test that is used for detecting kidney stones and diagnosing multiple disorders of the urinary tract. This diagnostic examination is usually done by injecting contrast media in your veins. The test is usually done on an outpatient basis and you can resume your daily activities as soon as you have finished the scans.What Should You Not Eat With Kidney Stones?
Here are the foods you should avoid when you have kidney stones, which include salt-rich foods, oxalate-rich foods, fatty foods, and more than 3-ounces of meat daily.