| | | Managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complex. Questions like "What should I eat?" often get the dreaded "It depends!" response. If you have CKD, it's important to work with your healthcare team to modify intake of certain nutrients, such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and protein. | | Below, Lindsay Mahar, a registered dietitian at Healthline, shares a few general tips for healthy eating during each stage of CKD. | | | | | | | Hope this helps!
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
June 12, 2025 • 3 min read | | | | | |  | | | | Q: | What foods should I eat and avoid during each stage of kidney disease? | | | A: | For stages 1 and 2, the kidneys are still functioning pretty well and are able to filter out waste. It's recommended to eat a standard, balanced diet. Following the MyPlate guidelines (which are also compatible with other healthy eating plans like the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet) is a good place to start. These all focus on eating lots of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, while minimizing overly processed foods, such as saturated fats and sodium.
For stages 3 to 5 (not on dialysis), the kidneys may have trouble filtering out waste and fluid, both of which begin to build up in the blood. In addition to reducing sodium, you may also need to reduce your intake of potassium, phosphorus, and protein. You may want to limit the foods highest in those nutrients, while practicing portion control with foods that contain less.
Limit foods that are high in: - phosphorus: such as dairy products, processed meats (deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage), chocolate, dark colas, and beer
- potassium: such as apricots, avocados, bananas, melons, squash, Brussels sprouts, cooked broccoli, legumes, potatoes, and tomatoes
- sodium: such as ultra-processed snack foods like chips and pretzels, processed meats, and canned foods
- protein: such as meats, dairy, and beans (once on dialysis, protein needs increase as the waste is being filtered out)
Prioritize foods that are low in: - phosphorus: such as almond or rice milks, vegan cheeses, eggs, minimally processed meats, poultry, and fish
- potassium: such as apples, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, cauliflower, peppers, and raw broccoli (note that you should still only eat small portions of these foods as they contain some potassium.)
- sodium: such as minimally processed meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts
| | | | | Lindsay Mahar, Registered Dietitian | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | Sponsored by | |  | | | | | Simplified healthcare | | | | |  | | LifeMD | LifeMD gives you easy online access to setting up appointments with healthcare professionals, including primary, urgent, and chronic care. You'll also find discounts on many prescription drugs, such as GLP-1 medications, to help you manage your weight.
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