Diet Chart for Kidney Patients: Best Foods for Kidney Health

Nearly 10% of Indians suffer from kidney diseases.

 But did you know that you can manage it with a healthy diet?

Kidneys are vital for keeping the body fit. They help flush out waste, regulate blood pressure, balance electrolytes, and produce urine. However, unhealthy habits, conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, and poor dietary choices can harm kidneys. 

You may need to change your diet if you are a kidney disease patient. 

This article will discuss an Indian diet chart for kidney patients, foods to eat and avoid, and essential steps to choose the right foods for kidney health.

Diet Chart for Kidney Patients

You must limit certain foods to protect your kidneys if you have kidney disease. Your diet depends on whether you're in the early or late stages of kidney disease. Here is the 7-Day Indian Diet Chart for Kidney Patients. It includes kidney-friendly foods with limited sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Day	Early Morning	Breakfast	Mid-Morning Snack	Lunch	Evening Snack	Dinner
Monday	Warm water with lemon	Poha with mint chutney	Apple	White rice, Lauki sabzi, Curd	Herbal tea, Marie biscuit	Roti, Tinda sabzi, Cucumber raita
Tuesday	Tulsi tea	Dalia with a little jaggery	Guava	Jeera rice, Turai sabzi, Dal (moong)	Roasted makhana	Roti, Cabbage sabzi, Curd
Wednesday	Coconut water	Vegetable upma	Papaya (small)	Rice, Palak paneer (low salt), Curd	Unsalted murmura chaat	Roti, Lauki dal, Steamed beans
Thursday	Cumin water	Besan chilla with mint chutney	Pear (small)	Rice, Aloo gobi sabzi, Curd	Unsalted khakhra	Roti, Bhindi sabzi, Lauki raita
Friday	Ginger tea	Oats with almond milk	Small banana	Rice, Arhar dal (less salt), Ghia sabzi	Fruit chaat (apple, pear)	Roti, Tinda sabzi, Curd
Saturday	Warm water with honey	Idli with coconut chutney	Watermelon (small)	Rice, Methi sabzi, Curd	Herbal tea with puffed rice	Roti, Parwal sabzi, Lauki dal
Sunday	Lemon water	Moong dal dosa with coconut chutney	Apple (small)	Rice, Carrot beans sabzi, Curd	Unsalted popcorn	Roti, Baingan bharta, Lauki sabzi

Foods for Kidney Patients

Here is a list of foods the kidney can eat to support kidney function and maintain a proper balance of nutrients.

• Fruits for kidney patients- apples, pears, guavas, papayas, berries
• Vegetables for kidney patients- Bottle gourd (lauki), ridge gourd (turai), carrots, cabbage, cauliflower
• Ideal Protein sources for Kidney patients- Moong dal, masoor dal, paneer (in moderation), egg whites
• Grains- Brown rice, oats, whole wheat
• Healthy Fats- Olive oil, coconut oil, ghee (in moderation)
• Healthy Drinks for kidneys- -Coconut water, buttermilk, herbal teas

Read more: Discover the Top Foods to Eat for Kidney Health

Foods to Avoid in Kidney Disease

Certain foods can strain the kidneys and should be avoided.

• High-sodium foods- Pickles, papads, chips, salted nuts
• High-potassium foods: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach
• High-phosphorus foods: Dairy products, processed meats, colas, packaged foods
• Excess protein sources: Red meat, poultry, excessive lentils, Dairy products
• Sugary foods: Tea/coffee with sugar, processed juice, sweets, chocolates, sweetened beverages

Follow Simple Steps To Choose the Right Foods for Kidney Disease

Here is how you can choose the right diet for kidney patients.

1. Choose Low Salt and Sodium Food options

Your diet should have less than 23mg of sodium daily to control your blood pressure. 

• Choose fresh home-cooked meals instead of packaged foods.
• Use herbs and spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger instead of salt.
• Always read the food labels and avoid food that contains high sodium content.
• Rinse canned foods like beans, meats, and vegetables to remove excess sodium.

2. Eat the Right Amount and the Right Types of Protein

Use the right amount and type of protein to protect your kidneys. Kidney patients should eat protein in moderation to reduce strain on the kidneys. Talk to your dietitian about how to choose the right combination of foods for you. 

Animal-based protein sources

• Chicken
• Fish
• Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy

Plant-protein foods:

• Beans
• Nuts
• Lentils
• Tofu
• Grains

Also Read: Protein Intake & Kidney Health: What's The Connection?

3. Choose Heart-Healthy Foods

• People with kidney disease are at a higher risk of heart disease, so heart-healthy foods are essential.
• Use healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, and seeds in moderation.
• Limit the use of trans fats and saturated fats.
• Consume fiber-rich foods like vegetables, whole grains, and fruits to maintain heart health.
• Limiting alcohol is important, as drinking too much can affect your heart health. 

Heart-healthy foods:

• Fruits
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Fish
• Vegetables
• Beans

4. Choose Low Phosphorus Foods for Kidneys

Choose low-phosphorus foods to protect your bones and blood vessels. Excessive phosphorus in the blood draws calcium from your bones, making them thin and weak. 

Low in Phosphorus Foods	High in Phosphorus Foods
White rice, White bread, Rice noodles, Cornflakes	Whole wheat bread, Brown rice, Oats, Quinoa, Bran cereals
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Onion, Carrots	Spinach, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Potatoes
Apples, Pears, Watermelon, Guava, Pineapple, Berries	Bananas, Oranges, Mangoes, Kiwi, Dried fruits
Almond milk, Low-fat yogurt (in moderation)	Cow’s milk, Cheese, Paneer, Buttermilk
Egg whites, Chicken, Moong dal	Red meat, Fish like salmon and tuna, Egg yolks, Lentils,

• High phosphorus levels can cause bone and heart problems.
• Prefer freshly cooked meals over restaurants or fast food.

5. Choose Foods with the Right Amount of Potassium

When potassium levels are too high, they can damage the kidneys and cause serious heart problems. Therefore, limit your potassium intake. 

Low-Potassium Foods	High-Potassium Foods
Apple, Pear, Guava, Watermelon, Pineapple, Blueberries	Banana, Mango, Orange, Kiwi, Dates, Avocado, Pomegranate
Bottle gourd (Lauki), Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Eggplant (Baingan), Tinda	Spinach, Tomato, Potato, Sweet Potato, Beetroot
White rice, White bread, Poha,	Brown rice, Whole wheat bread, Quinoa,
Makhana (Fox nuts), Unsalted popcorn,	Nuts, Chips, Salted snacks

Read more: Blood Test for Kidney Function: Importance Analysis

The Key Takeaways

Maintaining a kidney-friendly diet will help slow down the disease progression and prevent complications. Follow a proper diet chart and focus on limiting salt, phosphorus, potassium, and protein. For a personalized diet plan, consult your dietitian or nephrologist.