Lemonade

Potassium: LowerPhosphorus: LowerSodium: Lower

The bottom line

On the National Kidney Foundation lower-phosphorus list — its kidney cost is sugar, not minerals.

A healthier swap

Water with fresh lemon slices gives the flavour with almost no sugar; sugar-free lemonade keeps the phosphorus advantage too.

Understand the nutrients

Frequently asked questions

Does lemonade help kidney stones?

Citrus drinks provide citrate, which can discourage some stones, and any fluid helps by diluting urine. Commercial lemonade's sugar is the downside; diluted lemon in water is the version stone clinics usually have in mind.

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.