diabetic renal diet: what is left to eat?

Diabetic Renal Diet: What is Left to Eat?

Navigating how to eat healthfully for BOTH diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be overwhelming.  It is easy to feel like there is absolutely nothing left to eat on a diabetic renal diet.  Which is frustrating and not the case…I promise!

A healthy diet for kidneys and diabetes really isn’t that complicated.  Recommendations for kidney disease go right along with recommendations for diabetes.  Don’t believe me?  Keep reading!

The Science

Diabetes

The goal for healthy eating for people with diabetes is to control blood sugar (or glucose).  Any food that has carbohydrate in it will break down to glucose during digestion.  So, any food that has carbohydrate has potential to raise your blood sugar.

Foods that have carbohydrate include:

  • Starches (bread, pasta, rice, bread, cereals)
  • Fruit (and fruit juice!)
  • Dairy (milk and yogurt)
  • Starchy Vegetables (corn, green peas, potatoes)
  • Sugar (desserts, sugar sweetened drinks like soda, lemonade or sweet tea)

Good news! You CAN (and should!) eat foods with carbohydrate if you have diabetes.  The key is portion size of foods with carbohydrate and to avoid too many of these foods in 1 meal1.

If you eat only 1 or 2 meals per day, you will eat more food at one time, which likely means eating too much carbohydrate at one meal.  This large load of carbohydrate will break down into blood and cause a huge spike in your blood sugar.  Also, especially for people who take insulin, going a long time without eating can cause blood sugar to go dangerously low.

graph showing blood sugar too high and too low

Instead, our goal is to eat carbohydrate more consistently throughout the day.  For most people, this means 3 meals per day with 1-2 snacks.    Ideally, the amount of carbohydrate at each meal is the same.  Most people should aim for 3-4 servings of carbohydrate at meals and 1-2 servings at snacks.  These smaller loads of carbohydrate will cause small increases in blood sugar and help keep blood sugar steady in a healthy range.

graph showing consistent blood sugar

One serving of carbohydrate is about 15 grams of carbohydrate.  Check out the “Total Carbohydrate” line on Nutrition Facts Labels to determine how many servings of carbohydrate a food has.

Your dietitian will tell you exactly how many servings of carbohydrate are right for you based on your body, blood sugar history, insulin prescription and other medications.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The goal for healthy eating for kidney disease is to control the amount you eat of certain minerals and nutrients2.  For example, diseased kidneys cannot get rid of phosphorus as well as they should.  So, people with kidney disease should limit how much artificial phosphorus they eat.

People with kidney disease should limit sodium (or salt) to no more than 2,300mg per day2.  A low sodium diet will help control blood pressure, which is very important as high blood pressure can hurt kidneys3.  This is especially important because high blood pressure is both a symptoms and risk factor for kidney disease4Edema (or fluid building up in the body in places like your ankles and calves) is common in kidney disease.  A low sodium diet can help control edema and help people feel much more comfortable!

High protein diets have been associated with faster progression of kidney disease toward dialysis2,3,5. Our kidneys are responsible for getting rid of byproducts from the metabolism of protein (primarily acid), which makes them work harder.  High protein diets can also contribute to symptoms of kidney disease such as acidosis and uremia.

Some people with kidney disease need to limit how much potassium they eat2.  However, this is not the case for everyone!  Learn more about potassium and kidney disease.

Going through all this science and which nutrients are important to avoid in kidney disease can be overwhelming.  But, I have some good news! You CAN eat foods with these nutrients.  Similar to diabetes and foods with carbohydrate, the key is portion size.

What to Eat on a Diabetic Renal Diet

Whew! Since we are through the science of healthy eating.  Let’s get to the good stuff.  What should people with both kidney disease and diabetes eat!?

The answer for both really boils down to this:  eat mostly vegetables and fruit, some protein and some healthy whole grain carbohydrates.  Really!  That’s it!

Check out this table for more specifics about what foods are healthy to eat.

Foods to EatFoods to AvoidPortion Size & Comments
GrainsWhole Grain Bread
Brown Rice
Whole Grain Pasta
Non-Sugary Whole Grain Cold Cereals (bran flakes, wheat chex, etc.)
Hot Cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat)
Corn tortillas
White bread
White pasta
Biscuits, cornbread
Commercial breadcrumbs
Flour tortillas

Grains with "phos" ingredients
Kidney Disease: no strict limit on portion size.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup or 1 slice = 1 serving of carbohydrate.
DairySkim or low fat milk
Soy and nut milks
Low-fat or fat-free yogurt
Low sodium cottage cheese
Small amounts of natural cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, etc.)
American cheese, Velveeta, nacho cheese
Buttermilk
Whole milk
Kidney disease: with advanced disease (GFR <20ml/min), consider limiting daily dairy to 1 serving per day or choosing rice milk instead of cow's milk.

Diabetes: 1 cup of milk or yogurt = 1 serving.

ProteinFresh meat, poultry, fish and seafood.
Starchy beans (black, pinto, kidney, garbanzo beans)
Lentils
Unsalted nuts and seeds
Low sodium canned fish
Eggs
Deli or lunch meat
Fried meats
Processed meats (bacon, sausage, bologna, salami, corned beef, ham

Products with "phos" ingredients
Kidney disease: limit animal proteins to 3-4oz or 1-2 eggs per meal. Consider choosing more plant-based proteins such as nuts, beans or lentils instead of animal proteins.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup starchy beans or lentils = 1 serving carbohydrate.
Vegetables
Non-Starchy VegetablesLow Potassium: asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, spaghetti squash, turnips, yellow beans

High Potassium: artichokes, avocado, beets, Brussels sprouts, greens, kohlrabi, spinach, tomato, zucchini

Fresh or frozen vegetables are great choices! Low sodium or no salt added canned vegetables are great too!
Frozen vegetables with added cheese or sauce.

Canned vegetables with salt
Kidney disease: if the amount of potassium in your blood is high, choose mostly low potassium vegetables. No strict limit on portion size. Enjoy lots of these!

Diabetes: no strict limit on portion size.
Starchy VegetablesLow Potassium: Turnips

High Potassium: acorn squash, butternut squash, pumpkin, parsnips, rutabaga
Kidney disease: if the amount of potassium in your blood is high, choose mostly low potassium vegetables. No strict limit on portion size.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw = 1 serving of carbohydrate.
FruitLow Potassium: apples, apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, fruit cocktail, grapes, honeydew lemon, lemons, limes, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, rhubarb, tangerines, watermelon

High Potassium: bananas, cantaloupe, dates, figs, kiwi, mango, nectarines, papaya, pomegranate, prunes, raisins

Fresh, frozen or fruit canned in "lite syrup" or "juice" are great choices!
Fruit canned in heavy syrup.Kidney disease: if the amount of potassium in your blood is high, choose mostly low potassium fruits. No strict limit on portion size.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw = 1 serving of carbohydrate.
FatsOlive or canola oil
Small amounts of unsalted butter
Salted butter
Coconut oil
Lard
Kidney disease & diabetes: no strict limit. Generally try to include a little fat with each meal for flavor and to help you feel full! Aim for 1-2 teaspoons of fat with meals.
DessertEnjoy your favorite dessert in moderation!Be mindful that ice cream and pudding are dairy desserts. If you have a GFR of less than 20ml/min, these would count as your dairy serving for the day.

Commercially prepared desserts with "phos" ingredients
Kidney disease: enjoy your favorite desserts 1-2 times per week.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup of ice cream/sherbet/sorbet, 2-inch piece of cake or 2 oreo-sized cookies = 1 serving of carbohydrate.
Condiments & FlavoringsLemon, lime juice
Pepper
Dry or fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley or cilantro
Salt-free seasoning mixes such as Mrs. Dash
Vinegar (white, red/white wine, balsamic, apple cider)
Large amounts of:
Ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce
Gravy
Soy or Worcestershire sauce
Commercial salad dressing
Salt, onion, salt, garlic salt

Seasonings and condiments with "phos" ingredients.
Kidney disease & diabetes: no strict limit on portion size. All of the flavorings in the "foods to eat" column are freebies! Go crazy with them to add tons of flavor to your food!
BeveragesWater
Diet clear sodas (7-Up, Sprite)
Sugar-Free Flavorings (i.e Crystal Light)
Unsweetened Iced Tea
Cola

Drinks with "phos" ingredients.
Kidney disease: if the amount of potassium in your blood is high, avoid juices.

Diabetes: 1/2 cup of any sugar sweetened drink (regular soda, juice, sweet tea, punch, lemonade) = 1 serving carbohydrate.
Work with your dietitian to determine how many servings of carbohydrate at meals is right for you if you have diabetes. Your dietitian can also help you figure out if you should be eating high or low potassium fruits and vegetables.

Putting Together a Healthy Meal on a Diabetic Renal Diet

For a general guideline about what a healthy plate should look like, I love using the general recommendations from the USDA.  You may have seen this image before, which provides guidelines on what healthy people should eat.  The same is true for people with kidney disease and diabetes!

myplate icon

This graphic highlights the most important thing to remember when meal planning: make ½ of your plate fruits and vegetables.  If you have diabetes, really focus on those non-starchy vegetables to avoid using up all your carbohydrate servings on fruit.  Meals should also include some protein and some grain.

Diabetic Renal Diet Meal Ideas

You may be thinking: “Great, Melanie. I know I should eat more vegetables, but how can I make a meal out of those!”  Here are some ideas for building a healthy meal that fits with making ½ of your plate vegetables along with a little grain and a little protein.

  • Stir fry your favorite vegetables (I love broccoli, carrots, bok choy and onions) with a small amount of chicken or shrimp. Serve over brown rice or whole grain pasta.
  • Stuff bell peppers with a mix of whole grains (try couscous, brown rice or quinoa) and veggies.
  • Make pizza! Make your own whole grain pizza crust and top it with vegetables.  My favorite veggie pizza toppings are zucchini, tomato, onion, mushrooms and arugula.  Choose low sodium cheese such as fresh mozzarella or swiss and go easy on the sauce to avoid too much salt!
  • Spice up your salad! Salads are the obvious way to eat your vegetables. Make them exciting!  Add a little pasta to your salad.  Throw on some toasted nuts or a little fancy cheese to make the salad extra special.  I also love adding fruit to salads: try blueberries, strawberries, grapes or pineapple. Make your own dressing out of olive oil and flavored vinegar or lemon/lime juice.  Or, you can even make your own ranch dressing!
  • Try spiralizing. If you haven’t jumped on the zoodle craze yet – try it!  Spiralizing zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potatoes, beets or carrots is a fun way to prepare a vegetable heavy meal.
  • Make a bowl. Top your favorite whole grain with tons of delicious vegetables and a little of your favorite sauce.
  • Sneak veggies into breakfast. Never miss an opportunity to get in more vegetables!  Mix 1-2 eggs with vegetables to make an omelet.  Try a savory oatmeal.  Or, try some (very trendy!) avocado toast by mashing 1/4-1/2 an avocado on whole grain bread and top it with some vegetables.  My favorite toppings for avocado toast are chopped tomato and feta cheese.  I also love pickled shallots and balsamic drizzle.

Check out my recipes for more meal ideas for people with kidney disease and diabetes.

Conclusion

Hopefully you feel less overwhelmed and have a better understanding of what you should be eating.  The same diet can help slow the progression of kidney disease and control blood sugar.

Happy Eating!

Melanie

References

  1. Nutrition Overview | ADA. Accessed May 3, 2020. https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition
  2. NKF KDOQI Guidelines. Accessed April 18, 2020. https://kidneyfoundation.cachefly.net/professionals/KDOQI/guidelines_bp/guide_11.htm
  3. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Fouque D. Nutritional Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(18):1765-1776. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1700312
  4. Judd E, Calhoun DA. Management of Hypertension in CKD: Beyond the Guidelines. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2015;22(2):116-122. doi:10.1053/j.ackd.2014.12.001
  5. Jhee JH, Kee YK, Park S, et al. High-protein diet with renal hyperfiltration is associated with rapid decline rate of renal function: a community-based prospective cohort study. Nephrol Dial Transplant Off Publ Eur Dial Transpl Assoc – Eur Ren Assoc. 2020;35(1):98-106. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfz115

41 thoughts on “Diabetic Renal Diet: What is Left to Eat?”

  1. Christopher Davila


    I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to have found you, or how excited I will be to spend every available minute consuming your material! I am speechless and almost in the point of tears, and feel a tremendous relief as a way in the dark is finally being lit for me. My girlfriend was just diagnosed with stage 4 CKD, diabetes and high blood pressure this week. The poor girl is overwhelmed with a bombardment of new information, abbreviations, metrics, restrictions, and an overall sense of doom and gloom. All these numbers, and ratios, and levels are a tough combination to juggle for me. Useless is the only word to describe what I’ve felt, watching her put back on the grocery shelf all the healthy fruits and veggies she used to eat daily (Avocados, Bananas, pecans, oranges, etc). And then, I found this wonderful page/website. I’ve already spent 50 minutes more than I should have and am VERY late for my errands… but I’ll be able to make her a meal tonight that I know she’ll enjoy, I can’t wait to have those little arms of hers hug me tighter, and this crushing burden of helplessness lifted!
    As I said earlier, I can’t wait to spend more time on this site and I wish there was a way to show you the amount of relief my heart and soul feel. Oh… le wonderful sigh… Thank you.
    -Christopher

  2. This article and your others have been so informative and honestly a relief! (I found myself near tears at Trader Joe’s today trying to figure out what I could eat…and was sad to pass on the figs.)
    Anyhow, my gfr is 57 and my other bloodwork shows I’m pre-diabetic, with high cholesterol. My potassium levels are right on the high edge of normal for someone my age. I’m a pretty healthy eater so this is all a shock. Also I might add that my PCP is not concerned about my kidneys but has suggested I eat to lower my cholesterol and control the pre-diabetes; they also agreed to retest me in a few weeks for the kidney function/creatinine results.
    I love this list but noticed that potatoes are not on it. Are they totally off- limits, even if they’re leached? I read that leaching some veggies will lower their potassium levels.
    Thanks again for such a comprehensive list!

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND

      Hi Carmen – I’m so glad this was helpful! And ABSOLUTELY NOT. Potatoes are NOT off limits. My guess is for you they are totally fine as is. I ONLY recommend restricting dietary potassium unless absolutely necessary. From what you’ve told me, I wouldn’t for you. Likely getting those blood sugars more normal will help get your potassium under control. Here is my article about potassium that might be helpful. I’d HIGHLY recommend working with a renal dietitian to learn what you can do to help ALL of those conditions and help protect your kidneys. It is NEVER too early to work with a dietitian for kidney disease! Here is a list of dietitians I highly recommend!

  3. Melanie – What is the date of this article. Is the info out-of-date?

    Have you checked recent guidelines for what can be eaten for a CKD – stage 3b patient with type 2 diabetes and being a kidney stone “factory” (2 kidney surgeries is 4 months) and where weight loss (need weight gain) or cardiac disease are not issues.

    So therefore: No nuts; No whole grains (e.g., pasta, bread, rice, etc.); No leafy vegetables (e.g., kale); No low fat or skim milk or yogurt or anything else (10 years ago: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y – trying to gain weight); No rice, brown or otherwise.

    Nectarines and peaches have the same level of potassium so are they both low potassium per your list? Fruit in “lite syrup” – not a good choice;

    What does “Large amounts of Condiments and Flavorings” mean? 1 tsp/tbl per serving/meal?

    How about those sugar-free/low calorie beverages that contain “cancer-causing” Aspartame. I bet other artificial sweeteners will be discovered to also not be healthful.

    Your note for Kidney Disease avoid juices. How about the requirement to drink at least 4 oz lemon juice daily to help mitigate kidney stones.

    No words on Phosphorus which is critical in CKD management, etc.

    Several registered dieticians I have consulted with over the past several years with access to my medical records have had difficulty advising me due to the combination of CKD, Type 2 diabetes, Kidney Stones and Gastric Bypass (what a dietary puzzle). The nutritional requirements are so disparate that it is hard to keep up.

    I don’t know whether the author will respond. I’d be surprised.

    Regards, Joe

    1. Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND

      Hi Joe,
      This article is up to date. It sounds like you might be operating under some of the old nutrition guidelines – and general advice that isn’t specific.

      -A strict low oxalate diet isn’t necessary for everyone – in fact, could be harmful for many people with kidney stones. With a history of gastric bypass, a low oxalate diet may be more appropriate, but that was not the focus of this article.
      -There is nothing wrong with fruit in lite syrup or juice. The key message here was to avoid the higher sugar heavy syrup.
      -There isn’t an official definition of “large amounts” of condiments and flavorings. The key here is to check the sodium in these things and make sure how much you are using fits into your daily sodium allotment.
      -The amount of aspartame you’ll realistically consume will likely not cause cancer. The media and social media influencers have completely blown this out of proportion lately. Here is a good article.
      – There is not a recommendation to drink 4oz of lemon juice daily for kidney stone prevention. For SOME people (depending on their 24-hour urine test), getting in more citrate could be helpful, but making sure you are eating the right amount of protein and enough produce is actually a much more effective way to increase citrate than drinking lemon juice. Learn more about citrate here.
      Here is a my complete article about phosphorus.
      I hope this helps!

      1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND

        I’m SURE this article is very different than many pieces of advice you’ve received in the past. The guidelines for CKD have changed significantly in the past decade – unfortunately advise from MANY (even reputable) websites, doctors and dietitians just hasn’t caught up. I’d encourage you to check out my credentials and experience in this area.

  4. hello, my husband has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, kidney failure (@20% for both kidneys), a rare kidney disease (Glomerulonephritisis), diabetes, low potassium and some other. His doctor recommended weightloss and a change in his diet. I’ve tried to do my best to help him but he doesn’t listen. he says he don’t like the taste of the food because he’s never had it like that before, he continues to go hours without eating anything in which then he goes and grabs a candy bar because he’s feeling lightheaded. He has options but chooses not to eat and just make up excuses. I am exhausted in trying to help him and take care of my kids, the house and school. He expects me to make sure I make him food or he can’t eat. 🤦🤦🤦. How can I get him to start taking responsibility for himself?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      This is such a tough situation. It is hard to see the people you love making choices you know are bad for them. People HAVE to choose to make change for themselves. Pushing him to make these changes might backfire and make him even MORE resistant to change. I’d just kindly let him know you care about him and wait. It is hard, I know. But likely the best for him in the long run!

  5. Hello! I am so happy I found your article it is exactly what I have been looking for. My Question is can I use any of the Keto recipes be used such as baking?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Jo! I’m glad you found me! Keto recipes vary widely in terms of what ingredients are used. There isn’t a standard definition. So, I can’t really say if they are “ok” or not. As a general rule, I advise against keto diets for people with kidney problems as they tend to be lacking in fruits and veggies and have WAY too much protein for kidney patients. However, everyone is different! Ask your dietitian what is right for you!

  6. Hi!! I’m a bad diabetic and have very high potassium. My kidney functions are great, but I have to keep the potassium down. I’m at a crossroads. What I can eat for the potassium goes against my diabetes and vice-a-versa. Do you have any advice or could you recommend a particular cookbook that I could use? Thanks

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      It can be tough to balance those 2 things sometimes! I find that really working on getting rid of potassium additives can open up tons of healthy fruit, veggie and whole grain options! This article dives into potassium a bit more. I also have lots of cookbook recommendations at my resources page!

    2. What ingredients can I include in a Kidney and diabetic healthy smoothie that can also be drank as a meal replacement….?

  7. Hi!
    In doing some research I came across your blog and appreciate the information you provide as there is not a lot of practical and easy to understand information out there about this type of lifestyle! I am T2 diabetic, and starting to feel the stress it is putting on my kidneys. I have not been diagnosed with kidney disease, but I know I am at risk and trying to live a healthier lifestyle before it gets worse, but like many here trying to do both is hard. My diet for diabetes avoids a lot of carbs in general, and I find myself snacking on lots of cheese, cured meats etc, but with a kidney-friendly approach it seems like these are not good choices anymore. Some of the material I read seems to contradict itself…especially when it comes to foods like avacados, whole grains, leafy greens, and whole eggs (vs egg whites only). What is your take on these foods, as I love them but read things that say to avoid them on a kidney diet. Also…what are some good easy snack options? Finding it hard to eat things in an on-the-go lifestyle that follow both diabetic and kidney friendly rules. I also use a lot of almond flour in my baking, and alternative milks like soy and almond, what is your take on these ingredients for optimal kidney health? Thanks!

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Becky! Thanks for your comment! I think the key here is that there is no single “kidney diet” – nutrition really is different for everyone based on your medical history and labs. So, I can’t really comment on these particular foods, or give specific food recommendations, for YOU! This overview article summarizes how a “kidney diet” is different for everyone and might be helpful! Honestly, working with a dietitian is the best way to get answers to all of these questions and learn how to protect your kidneys. I have a list of renal dietitians who work with patients on my resources page. I hope that helps!

  8. Iam a caregiver Indeed a liston foods for a dibectic and renal client, had a strokes so foods that she to eat isn’t appealing, I also need. Snacks for her. God bless !

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Victoria! Thank you for your comment. There is no single diet that is right for everyone, so it is hard to simply provide a list of foods. I would check out this overview article. Also, here is my snack and grocery list posts if you’d like to check them out!

  9. Help! I need a diet very low in sugar, carbs, protein, fat, salt, potassium and phosphorus. A diabetic, renal, and cardiac diet. I hate any kinds of vegetables due to sensory disorder.what can I eat and not eat?
    Thanks, April

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi April! That is a a lot of restrictions you are trying to juggle! I’d HIGHLY recommend working with a renal dietitian to help you figure out what exactly would be best for your kidney health! I have a list of dietitians who work with patients individually on my resources page.

  10. Hi Melanie,
    It seems to be nice to read your blog. My mom has chronic kidney issues GFR 22 and also dibetic before b’fast blood sugar is 14. I get lost when I am trying to give her a diet as she is 79 yrs old. I would really be thank ful if I get a nice diet chart for her , as I live by myself and look try my best to feed her the right stuff but her blood sugars are always high. Please assist as I am so confused.

    Thank you,
    Inascio

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Inascio. Thank you so much for your comment! A healthy diet for both diabetes and kidney disease can get confusing. It would be very tough to put together a list of foods for her to eat as it would be based on her lab values and other medical conditions. Have you asked her doctor for a renal dietitian referral? That is really the best way to know exactly what would be best for her!

  11. Hi, Melanie! I have stage 3 CKD and was recently also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Navigating this world has created a sea change that is mentally tasking and incredibly stressful for both myself and my poor husband, who has to deal with me as I struggle to cope! On top of this, I also recently adopted a plant-based lifestyle. Obviously, I should avoid non-dairy alternatives that are fortified with protein, phosphate, and potassium, and with added salt and sugar. Are there other considerations for vegans struggling to navigate a diabetic renal diet? Also, what blood potassium levels are considered borderline “high”?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hello! Thank you so much for sharing your story and I know it can be SO frustrating and defeating trying to navigate all of this information yourself. I’d HIGHLY recommend asking your doctor for a RD referral if you can. Without knowing your medical history and labs, it is impossible for me to give individual advice. But, know that a more plant based diet is very beneficial for both kidney disease and diabetes. Even though a plant based diet may be slightly higher in carbohydrate, if done right (aka, lots of “real” food like beans, nuts, seeds whole grains, fruits and veggies and not relying on plant based meat substitutes!), all the extra fiber is amazing for blood glucose control. When looking at potassium, I’d start to get concerned if it is consistently above 4.5 or so – there isn’t really a definitive cut-off. If you are really interested in diving into all of this, I’d check out Jen Hernandez’s Plant Powered Kidneys course. Her course is fantastic and really breaks down how to eat a plant based diet for YOU! Enrollment is closed for her course right now, but let me know if you are interested and I’ll make sure to let you know when it opens!

      1. Thank you SO much! My last test showed potassium at 4.9, but that’s the first CMP I had in a while, with the previous one being 2+ years ago. Still, your advice was extremely helpful. I do plan to make an appointment with the RD at the nephrology office, but I won’t see that dr for the first time until early April, and they want me to see her first. Fortunately, my internal medicine NP happens to be plant-based, and will hopefully give advice when she follows up with me tomorrow. It’s so hard to figure out everything between now and then! The good news is my GFR is exactly the same as it was 2 years ago (42).

        1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

          Yay! That is amazing! Glad to hear your GFR is stable – that is the goal. It’s also great to hear that you have an appointment with a renal RD. I’m sure you’ll get a lot more clarity about what is good for you at that appointment. I hope my site gives you some general direction in the meantime!

  12. I am more than a little confused about the foods that you can and cannot eat. My boyfriend was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease and he also has diabetes. Everything that I have read says that he cannot have whole wheat bread or pasta nor brown rice due to the potassium but here you say to eat those and avoid the white bread, rice and regular pasta.

    Can you help with my confusion?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Tracy! Thank you for your comment. And yes, the “renal diet” can be incredibly confusing. There has been a HUGE shift in how the field thinks about whole grains over the past few years. This is true for lots of plant proteins like beans, nuts, seeds and lentils as well! Outdated nutrition guidelines and client education materials likely recommend limiting whole grains due to their higher phosphorus content, however, we now know that very little of that phosphorus actually gets absorbed. Read more about that here. In terms of potassium, the differences between whole and refined grains is usually minimal. I always recommend whole grains for my patients. However, everyone with kidney disease is different and the diet must be individualized to labs. I’d work with your doctor or dietitian to see what is best for your boyfriend. I hope that helps and doesn’t make it even MORE confusing!

  13. I am renal diabetic patient, GFR 13. We do not have renal diatitians in Sri Lanka. But with the help of Internet I make my own meal plans. I am not swollen, not vomiting, and generally alright. But feeling very week. May be you could help with some recipes. I love food and those might make my life enjoyable.

      1. I love your blogs. Recently found you due to first ever kidney stone.
        Now I have a non insulin diabetic client, who is on low potassium diet, but also has diverticulitis and chronic constpation. Yoou would think the VA would send him to an RD, but, no. They ordered nursing, me! Can you recommend a good source for the diverticulitis part?

        1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

          Hi Kim! Thank you so much! I assume the VA has a RD on staff? I’d probably start there for this patient to find someone close to home!

          1. If they do, it’s over an hour away. It’s pretty difficult for him to leave the house. I’ll speak to his wife about it. Someone there gave him a list of low K foods, but that’s about it.

          2. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

            Ugh. That is so typical. I wish that RDs were routine for people with CKD (and stones, for that matter!). This overview article might be helpful to begin to understand what actually matters for him!

  14. Do you have more recipe ideas? Loved the ones you suggested. Am really trying my best to get healthier. Thanks for your helpj

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Jacquelyn! Thank you so much! I am so very happy to hear you’ve found some good ones. My goal is to really focus on adding more recipes to my site over the next few months. See what I have so far, and make sure to come back to see what I’ve added!

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