17 Foods to Avoid With Kidney Disease

It's important to watch how much salt, potassium, and phosphorus you take in if you have kidney disease. Cola, brown rice, bananas, processed meats, and dried fruits are some foods that have a lot of it.

If you have bad kidneys, be careful with these 17 foods.

Are you trying to change what you eat because you have kidney disease? This video lists 17 foods that people with this illness should stay away from or eat less of.

Your kidneys perform many important functions, including:

filtering your blood
removing waste through urine
producing hormones
balancing minerals
maintaining fluid balance

If your kidneys get hurt and can't work right, waste and water can build up in your body.

A kidney-friendly diet that includes avoiding or limiting certain foods can help lower the amount of junk in your blood, make your kidneys work better, and stop further damage.

Here are 17 things that people on a kidney diet should try to avoid or eat less of.

1. Dark-colored soda

drinks have phosphorus-containing additives, especially dark-colored drinks. They also have a lot of calories and sugar.

Many companies that make food and drinks add phosphorous during processing to make them taste better, keep them fresh longer, and keep them from turning colors.

Your body takes in more of this extra phosphorus than phosphorus that comes from plants, animals, or food.

Phosphorus that is added to food is not linked to proteins like natural phosphorus is. Instead, it comes in the form of salt and is easily absorbed by the gut.

You can usually find additive phosphorus in the list of ingredients for a product. On the other hand, food companies are not allowed to put the exact amount of phosphorus added on the label.

Different types of drink have different amounts of phosphorus added to them, but a 12-ounce (oz) or 355 milliliters (mL) cola has 33.5 mg of phosphorus.

Because of this, people on a renal diet should generally stay away from sodas, especially dark ones.

If you are on a renal diet, you should stay away from dark-colored drinks because they contain phosphorus in the form of an additive that is easily absorbed by the body.

2. Avocados

People often talk about how healthy avocados are and how they contain heart-healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins.

Avocados are usually a good thing to eat, but people with kidney disease should stay away from foods that are high in potassium.

In fact, a normal-sized avocado has a huge 690 mg of potassium.

If people with kidney disease need to reduce potassium in their diet, they can still eat this food by cutting the serving size to a quarter of an avocado.

If you are on a kidney diet and have been told to watch how much potassium you take in, you should limit or avoid avocados, including guacamole.

But keep in mind that everyone has different needs. The most important thing to think about is your general diet and health goals.

If your doctor or chef has told you to lower your potassium intake, you might want to stay away from avocados while on a renal diet.

3. Canned foods

People often buy canned foods like soups, veggies, and beans because they are cheap and easy to use.

However, most canned foods have a lot of sodium because salt is added to them to keep them fresh longer.

Because of the amount of salt in canned foods, people who have kidney disease are often told to avoid or limit their intake.

Pick types with less sodium or ones that say "no salt added" most of the time.

Also, draining and rinsing canned foods like tuna and beans can greatly lower the amount of salt they contain.

A lot of canned foods have a lot of salt. The best way to lower your sodium intake is probably to avoid, limit, or buy low sodium versions.

4. Whole wheat bread

People who have kidney disease may find it hard to pick the right bread.

Whole wheat bread is generally better for you than refined white flour bread if you are trying to stay healthy.

Some people think that whole wheat bread is healthier, mostly because it has more fiber. White bread, on the other hand, is generally better for people with kidney disease than whole wheat bread.

This is due to the phosphorus and potassium that are in it. There is more phosphorus and potassium in bread when it has more wheat and whole grains.

A standard 36-gram (g) slice of whole wheat bread, for instance, has about 76 mg of phosphorus and 90 mg of potassium. A regular slice (28 g) of white bread, on the other hand, has about 32 mg of phosphorus and potassium.

You can cut down on your potassium and phosphorus intake without giving up whole wheat bread by eating one slice instead of two.

Also, keep in mind that most bread and bread goods, whether they are whole wheat or white, have pretty high amounts of sodium.

It is best to look at the nutrition facts of different kinds of bread, pick one with less salt if you can, and watch how much you eat.

Because it has less calcium and potassium, white bread is usually better for people with kidney disease than whole wheat bread. Since all bread has sodium in it, it's best to read food labels and pick a loaf with less salt.

5. Brown rice

Both brown rice and whole wheat bread are whole grains. Brown rice has more potassium and phosphorus than white rice.

It has 149 mg of phosphorus and 95 mg of potassium per cup (155 g) of cooked brown rice. But it only has 69 mg of phosphorus and 54 mg of potassium per cup (186 g) of cooked white rice.

You might be able to eat brown rice as part of a kidney diet, but only if you watch how much you eat and make sure you get enough potassium and phosphorus from other foods.

You can use bulgur, buckwheat, pearled barley, or couscous instead of brown rice because they are healthy and lower in phosphorus.

Brown rice has a lot of phosphorus and potassium, so people on a renal diet will probably need to reduce their intake or watch how much they eat. You can also use white rice, bulgur, buckwheat, or couscous instead.

6. Bananas

Bananas are known to have a lot of potassium.

One medium banana has 422 mg of potassium and is usually low in sodium.

If you are told to limit the amount of potassium you eat, it might be hard to do if you eat bananas every day.

Sadly, a lot of other tropical foods also have a lot of potassium.

But pineapples have a lot less potassium than other tropical fruits, so they may be a better choice while still being tasty.

If you are on a renal diet, you may need to reduce the amount of bananas you eat because they are high in potassium. Pineapple is good for your kidneys because it has a lot less potassium than some other tropical foods.

7. Dairy

There are a lot of vitamins and nutrients in dairy goods.

The natural sources of calcium and potassium make them a healthy food choice.

Whole milk, which is 1 cup (240 mL), has 205 mg of phosphorus and 322 mg of potassium.

Still, people with kidney disease should not eat too much cheese or other foods high in phosphorus because it can hurt their bones.

This might come as a surprise, since milk and other dairy products are often said to help keep bones and muscles healthy.

When your kidneys are hurt, though, eating too much phosphorus can lead to a buildup of phosphorus in your blood, which takes calcium from your bones. This can weaken and thin your bones over time, making them more likely to break or crack.

Also, a lot of protein can be found in dairy goods. About 8 grams of protein are in every cup (240 mL) of whole milk.

To keep protein waste from building up in the blood, it may be best to limit the amount of dairy you eat.

Almond milk, rice milk, and other dairy options are lower in protein, phosphorus, and potassium than cow's milk. This makes them a good choice for people who are on a renal diet.

Dairy products are high in phosphorus, potassium, and protein, so they should only be eaten by people who are on a kidney diet. Even though milk has a lot of calcium, the phosphorus in it may make bones weaker in people with kidney disease.

8. Oranges and orange juice

While oranges and orange juice may be best known for having a lot of vitamin C, they also have a lot of potassium.

There are 333 mg of potassium in a big orange (184 g). Besides that, 1 cup (240 mL) of orange juice has 458 mg of potassium.

Oranges and orange juice probably need to be avoided or eaten in small amounts on a kidney diet because they are high in potassium.

Because they don't have as much potassium, grapes, apples, cranberries, and their drinks are all good alternatives to oranges and orange juice.

Oranges and orange juice are high in potassium and should only be eaten by people who are on a kidney diet. You could also use apples, cherries, grapes, or their juices.

9. Processed meats

Processed meats have been linked to chronic diseases for a long time, and most people think they are dangerous because they contain preservatives.

Meats that have been aged, dried, pickled, or canned are called processed meats.

Hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, jerky, and sausage are all examples.

A lot of salt is usually added to processed foods to make them taste better and keep their flavor.

So, if you eat a lot of processed meat, it might not be easy to stick to a daily sodium intake of less than 2,300 mg.

Also, processed foods have a lot of protein.

If your doctor has told you to watch how much protein you eat, you should also limit processed foods.

Processed foods are high in salt and protein, so people on a renal diet should eat them in moderation.

10. Pickles, olives, and relish

Some foods that are cured or pickled are pickles, prepared olives, and relish.

During the drying or pickling process, a lot of salt is often added.

One pickle spear, for instance, can have around 283 mg of salt. In the same way, 2 tablespoons (30 g) of sweet pickle relish have 244 mg of salt.

In order to make them taste less bitter, processed olives are also often salty. Five green pickled olives have about 211 mg of sodium, which is a big chunk of the daily value in such a small amount of food.

There are versions of pickles, olives, and relish that have less sodium than the regular ones that you can find in many grocery shops.

But some foods, even ones with less sodium, can still have a lot of salt, so you should still watch how much you eat.

Pickles, processed olives, and relish are all high in salt, so people who are on a renal diet should eat less of them.

11. Apricots

Apricots are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber.

A lot of potassium is also in them. Fresh, sliced apricots have 427 mg of potassium per cup (165 g).

On top of that, dried apricots have even more potassium than fresh ones.

Dried apricots have more than 1,500 mg of potassium in just 1 cup (130 g).

Which means that just one cup of dried apricots gives you 75% of the 2,000 mg potassium limit.

In order to keep your kidneys healthy, you should stay away from apricots and especially dried apricots.

If you are on a kidney diet, you should stay away from apricots because they are high in potassium. When dried, one cup (165 g) has more than 1,500 mg. When eaten raw, it has more than 400 mg.

12. Potatoes and sweet potatoes

Vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes are high in potassium.

One medium-sized baked potato (156 g) has 610 mg of potassium, while a regular-sized baked sweet potato (114 g) has 542 mg of potassium.

Luckily, some foods that are high in potassium, like potatoes and sweet potatoes, can be boiled or leached to lower their potassium levels.

Some study even shows that boiling potatoes can make them much lower in potassium, especially if you start with cold water.

Potatoes that have been soaked in water for 5–10 minutes could also lose up to 20% of their potassium.

This method is also called the double-cook method or potassium washing.

Even though double-cooking potatoes lowers their potassium level, it's important to keep in mind that this doesn't get rid of it.

Double-cooked potatoes can still have a lot of potassium in them, so it's best to watch how much you eat to keep your potassium levels in check.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes are veggies that are high in potassium. If you boil or double-cook potatoes, they will lose a lot of their potassium.

13. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are another food that may not be good for people with kidney disease because they are high in potassium.

They are often used to make sauces and can be eaten raw or cooked.

There are 728 mg of potassium in 1 cup (245 g) of tomato sauce.

Tomatoes are used in a lot of meals, but there are other foods that can be used instead.

Choosing an option that has less potassium in it mostly comes down to personal taste. But roasted red pepper sauce can be used instead of tomato sauce and taste just as good while having less potassium per serve.

Tomatoes are another food that is high in potassium and should probably be eaten less by people who are on a renal diet.

14. Packaged, instant, and premade meals

A lot of the salt we eat can come from processed foods.

Most of the time, packed, instant, and ready-made meals are the most processed and, as a result, have the most sodium.

Frozen pizza, microwaveable meals, and quick noodles are all examples.

If you eat a lot of highly processed foods, it might be hard to stay below 2,300 mg of salt per day.

Not only do heavily processed foods have a lot of salt, they often don't have many nutrients either.

Packaged, instant, and ready-made meals are highly processed foods that often have a lot of salt and not many nutrients. If you are on a renal diet, you should eat less of these things.

15. Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens

Leafy greens like Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens are very healthy and full of vitamins and nutrients, like potassium.

Potassium levels range from 136 mg to 290 mg per cup (30–38 g) when eaten raw.

When leafy veggies are cooked, they get smaller, but the amount of potassium stays the same.

For instance, spinach that is raw can get a lot smaller when it is cooked. So, eating half a cup of cooked spinach will give you a lot more potassium than eating half a cup of raw spinach.

To avoid getting too much potassium, it's better to eat raw Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens instead of cooked ones.

But don't eat too many of these things because they also have a lot of oxalates. Oxalates can make people more likely to get kidney stones if they are allergic.

Kidney stones can hurt kidney cells even more and make the kidneys work less well.

Leafy greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and beet greens are high in potassium, especially when they are cooked. The amount of potassium in them stays the same, even though the serving sizes get smaller when they're cooked.

16. Dates, raisins, and prunes

Dried fruits are often things like dates, raisins, and prunes.

There are more nutrients in veggies when they are dried. This has potassium in it.

One cup (174 g) of prunes has 1,270 mg of potassium, which is almost five times as much potassium as one cup (165 g) of plums, which are the same fruit but not cooked.

In addition, four dates have 668 mg of potassium.

As these popular dried fruits have a lot of potassium, it's best to stay away from them while on a renal diet to keep your potassium levels in check.

When veggies are dried, the nutrients inside them are concentrated. Because of this, dried fruit like dates, prunes, and raisins has a lot of potassium and should not be eaten by people on a kidney diet.

17. Pretzels, chips, and crackers

Ready-to-eat snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers often don't have many calories and have a lot of salt.

It's also easy to eat more of these foods than the serving size suggests, which can make you eat even more salt than you meant to.

Also, potato chips will have a lot of potassium in them.

It's easy to eat a lot of pretzels, chips, and crackers, and they usually have a lot of salt in them. Potato chips also have a lot of potassium.

Lesson Summary

Heavily processed foods are high in salt and low in nutrients, making them unsuitable for those on a renal diet. Including the following foods in moderation can help maintain balanced nutrient levels:

• Leafy greens like Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens are rich in potassium and other nutrients.
• Dried fruits such as dates, raisins, and prunes are high in potassium due to concentration during drying.
• Potato chips are high in both salt and potassium.

Individuals with kidney disease should be cautious with the following 17 foods due to their high salt, potassium, and phosphorus content:

• Cola
• Brown rice
• Bananas
• Processed meats
• Dried fruits
• Avocados
• Canned foods
• Whole wheat bread
• Brown rice
• Dairy products
• Oranges
• Processed meats
• Pickles
• Olives
• Relish
• Apricots
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Packaged or instant meals

By monitoring the intake of these foods, individuals can help reduce waste and water accumulation in the body, support kidney function, and prevent further kidney damage. It is advisable for those with kidney disease to follow a kidney-friendly diet, avoiding or moderating consumption of the listed foods to manage their condition effectively.