Whether you’re just starting to learn about the kidney diet or you’re already familiar with it, you’re in the right place.

👉 Here are a few tips I like to share with people right away:

💎 There’s no “good” or “bad” food: It’s all about balance! What matters most is how much and how you combine foods. For example, if your phosphorus limit is 900 mg per day, you can eat foods with phosphorus until you hit that limit – yes, meat, beans, eggs, cheese, etc. Your restriction numbers help you set your daily maximums, so it’s important to stick to those. Under-eating can cause other health issues!

💎 You may need to monitor potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and protein: If you’re in stages 3, 4, or 5, these are things to keep an eye on. In the later stages, you might also need to consider fluids.

💎 Protein guidelines: A common recommendation is about 3 to 4 ounces of protein per meal, but your specific needs will depend on many factors. It’s also possible that you won’t need to restrict protein at all.

💎💎 Your kidney diet is unique: CKD diets aren’t one-size-fits-all. Tailoring your meals to your specific needs is key, so you can avoid complications and get the right nutrition.

💎 Advice can vary: Expect to get a lot of advice from others, but remember, everyone's CKD journey is different. What works for one person might not work for you, and it could even be harmful. Stay focused on your needs and health factors.

💎💎 Managing CKD takes a team: Here’s who you need on your side:

• Nephrologist: Manages the medical side, monitors kidney function, and prescribes treatments.

• Renal Dietitian: Helps you adjust your diet based on lab results and medical needs (often covered by insurance).

• Renal Nutritionist: (That’s me!) Guides you in creating a kidney-friendly diet based on the dietitian’s recommendations.

• You: The most important part of the team! You’re the one who takes action, advocates for your health, and stays engaged.

Together, this CKD Dream Team helps you manage your kidney health!

“What can I eat?” is usually the first question people ask. The kidney diet can seem impossible with all the conflicting information and (harmful) options available. The best way to help slow down or pause progression is by managing your diet.

Right off the bat - Expect a lot of advice from others, but remember, everyone’s journey with kidney health is unique. What works for one person may not work for another and could even be harmful.

So, by managing your diet, what we mean is, ignore all the stuff you hear from everyone one else because the kidney diet must be tailored to your specific and unique needs and situation.

First, to tailor your diet, you need your restriction numbers. To get these, you need to see a renal dietician. They will help you determine your numbers by reviewing your eGFR, medications, labs, activity levels, etc., and establish your maximum daily intake and nutrient limitations.For CKD stages 3, 4, or 5, you may need to monitor potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and protein. If you have diabetes, carbohydrates are also essential to consider. In the late stages, fluids may also come into play.

Second, you are going to read and hear a lot of crap. Here’s the reality -There’s no “good” or “bad” food: What matters most is the amount and combination of foods you consume. Let me explain… If your phosphorus limit is 900 mg per day, for example, you can include any food with phosphorus until you reach that 900mg limit. Your restriction numbers help you set daily maximums, which are important to meet—under-eating can lead to other health issues! (click) Here's a video to help explain it.

If you’re looking for help with your kidney diet, here’s the difference between a renal dietitian and a renal nutritionist:

Renal Dietitian: A renal dietitian is a healthcare professional with medical training in kidney nutrition. They can help you manage your diet based on lab results and medical needs, working closely with doctors. They’re qualified to adjust your diet specifically to slow down kidney disease progression, especially if you’re in advanced stages or on dialysis. Insurance may even cover their services.

Renal Nutritionist: A renal nutritionist focuses on helping people make kidney-friendly food choices and build healthy habits. They’re great if you’re looking for guidance on what to eat and how to cook for kidney health, especially in early stages of kidney disease. While they aren’t typically involved in medical management, they provide valuable support for maintaining a healthy kidney diet.

In short: if you need medical-level adjustments to your diet, go with a renal dietitian. If you’re looking for lifestyle and meal guidance, a renal nutritionist would be a good fit.

When it comes to eating for CKD, the first thing we usually do is find recipes. That's perfectly fine as long as you are sure the recipes you are using are not supplying too much or too little of those nutrients you need to monitor.

Look at it this way... Someone in stage 2 AND someone in stage 4 are both using that "kidney friendly" recipe. Who's harming their kidneys by using it?

Most recipes out there are geared for stage 3, and you stage 3-ers aren't off the hook! Within stage 3, there is a considerable gap between upper 3A and lower 3B. Therefore, the nutritional requirements are completely different.

We MUST make sure the recipes we choose fit us.

I'm not saying this to worry you; I want to inform you that things aren't as easy as finding recipes, but it's where we start!

So, please keep that in mind :-)

Check out the Recipe Reliance Trap Video on my Media page for a more in depth explanation.

PS. The answer is BOTH. One is under consuming nutrients (new health issues) and the other is over consuming nutrients (progression).