When you have kidney disease, it can be hard to know what to eat and drink. The good news is that a kidney-friendly diet is similar to healthy diet for everyone. Learn the five dietary principles to keep your kidneys healthy.  

Quick guide:  

There are simple things you can do for your diet, regardless of your stage of kidney disease. These tips are a good starting point if you want to know what you can do right now to look after your kidneys.  

What you need to know: 

A healthy diet includes plenty of fresh, wholefoods and limits ultra-processed foods and foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.  

1. Eat 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables every day. Fresh or frozen are best! 
2. Choose lean proteins, fish, eggs, beans, seeds, and nuts. Eat the right amount of protein for your stage of kidney disease.  
3. Reduce the salt by eating less packaged foods and takeaways. Don’t add salt to foods when cooking or at the table.  
4. Swap to whole grain, seeded, and high fibre carbohydrates. If you have diabetes, consider talking to a dietitian about portion sizes for your carbs.  
5. Drink water instead of sugary soft drinks, juice, and flavoured coffee.  

Do I need a dietitian? 

An Accredited Practicing Dietitian is the best person to talk to about diet. They can teach you how to enjoy your favourite foods while getting the right balance of nutrients. You will get personalised advice specific to your stage of kidney disease, blood tests, and other health conditions 

Seeing a dietitian can help at any stage of chronic kidney disease. Consider seeing a dietitian if you: 

• have questions about what you should be eating for your kidney health  
• are about to start dialysis 
• currently are on dialysis 
• have had a kidney transplant 
• have had problems with your blood potassium or blood sugar levels  

Support:

• Need more help? Join Kidney Health 4 Life and review courses on eating well with kidney disease. 
• Still have questions? Call the Kidney Health 4 Life team: 1800 454 363 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST).  

Key takeaways:  

• There are simple steps you can take today to improve your diet. Eat your fruit and vegetables, choose lean proteins, limit salt, have wholegrains, and drink water instead.  
• Limit processed foods and takeaway, which can be high in fat, salt, and sugar.
• Getting advice about what to eat when you have kidney disease is important. Arrange to see a dietitian for advice that is specific to you

What’s next:

• Explore: Recipes and meals
• Learn more: Diet and nutrition 
• Take a short course: Eating well with kidney disease  
• Download our Factsheet “Eating well with kidney disease”