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Diet in Kidney Disease & Transplant

Food is one of the few parts of kidney care you control every single day. The Diet in Kidney Disease & Transplant section explains how eating changes across the kidney journey: chronic kidney disease before dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, life after a transplant, kidney stone prevention, and the overlap with diabetes. Work by condition guide, dig into the ten nutrients that matter most — sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, fluid and more — or look up everyday foods one at a time, each rated for potassium, phosphorus and sodium and matched with a healthier swap. This section is written from a transplant nephrology practice, so transplant food safety and the grapefruit warning get the attention they deserve.

Guides for your situation

Eating with CKD (Not on Dialysis)Eating with CKD (Not on Dialysis)Eating on HemodialysisEating on HemodialysisEating on Peritoneal DialysisEating on Peritoneal DialysisEating After a Kidney TransplantEating After a Kidney TransplantEating to Prevent Kidney StonesEating to Prevent Kidney StonesEating with Diabetes and CKDEating with Diabetes and CKD

The nutrients that matter

SodiumSodiumPotassiumPotassiumPhosphorusPhosphorusProteinProteinFluidsFluidsCalciumCalciumVitamin DVitamin DIronIronAdded SugarAdded SugarFood Safety After TransplantFood Safety After Transplant

Foods at a glance

Everyday foods rated for potassium, phosphorus and sodium — higher, moderate or lower — with the bottom line for CKD, dialysis and transplant readers and a healthier swap for each.

Fruits

AppleAppleAvocadoAvocadoBananaBananaBlueberriesBlueberriesCantaloupe (Melon)Cantaloupe (Melon)GrapefruitGrapefruitGrapesGrapesMangoMangoOrangeOrangePeachPeachPineapplePineappleRaisins & Dried FruitRaisins & Dried FruitStrawberriesStrawberriesWatermelonWatermelon

Vegetables

Beets (Beetroot)Beets (Beetroot)Bell PeppersBell PeppersBroccoliBroccoliCabbageCabbageCarrotsCarrotsCauliflowerCauliflowerCornCornCucumberCucumberEggplant (Aubergine)Eggplant (Aubergine)Green BeansGreen BeansLettuce & Salad LeavesLettuce & Salad LeavesMushroomsMushroomsOnionsOnionsPotatoPotatoSpinach (Cooked)Spinach (Cooked)Sweet PotatoSweet PotatoTomatoes & Tomato SauceTomatoes & Tomato SauceZucchini (Courgette)Zucchini (Courgette)

Protein Foods

Beef (Fresh)Beef (Fresh)Black BeansBlack BeansChicken BreastChicken BreastEggsEggsLentilsLentilsPeanut ButterPeanut ButterPork (Fresh)Pork (Fresh)SalmonSalmonSardinesSardinesShrimp (Prawns)Shrimp (Prawns)TofuTofuTuna (Canned)Tuna (Canned)

Dairy & Alternatives

ButterButterCheeseCheeseCottage CheeseCottage CheeseIce CreamIce CreamMilkMilkYogurtYogurt

Grains & Breads

Brown RiceBrown RiceCorn TortillasCorn TortillasOatmeal (Porridge)Oatmeal (Porridge)Pasta & NoodlesPasta & NoodlesPopcorn (Unsalted)Popcorn (Unsalted)White BreadWhite BreadWhite RiceWhite RiceWhole Wheat BreadWhole Wheat Bread

Drinks

Beer & AleBeer & AleCoffeeCoffeeCola & Dark SodasCola & Dark SodasLemonadeLemonadeOrange JuiceOrange JuiceTeaTeaTomato JuiceTomato Juice

Snacks, Sweets & Condiments

BaconBaconCanned SoupCanned SoupChocolateChocolateDeli Ham & Cold CutsDeli Ham & Cold CutsKetchupKetchupOlivesOlivesPicklesPicklesPotato Chips (Crisps)Potato Chips (Crisps)Salt Substitutes ('Lite Salt')Salt Substitutes ('Lite Salt')Salted NutsSalted NutsSoy SauceSoy Sauce

Frequently asked questions

Is there one single 'kidney diet'?

No. Eating advice changes with your stage of kidney disease, whether you are on dialysis and which type, whether you have a transplant, and your own blood results. That is why this section is organised by situation first, then by nutrient and food. Your renal dietitian tailors the general pattern to you.

Do I have to give up all my favourite foods?

Usually not. Most kidney eating plans are about portions, frequency and swaps rather than bans: a smaller serving of a higher-potassium food, an unsalted version, or a lower-phosphorus alternative. The food pages in this section suggest a swap for every food.

Why do these pages use 'higher / moderate / lower' instead of exact numbers?

Nutrient content varies with variety, ripeness, brand and cooking method, and honest ranges matter more than false precision. Ratings here follow published National Kidney Foundation food guidance. Where a general daily figure is commonly recommended, the nutrient pages say so and credit the source.

These pages are general education about eating with kidney disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant. They are not medical advice and do not replace your own care plan. Kidney diets are individual: what is right for you depends on your stage, your blood tests, your medicines and your other conditions. Always talk to your care team or renal dietitian before changing what you eat, and never stop or change a medicine because of something you read here.