Lentils

Potassium: HigherPhosphorus: HigherSodium: Lower

The bottom line

Plant protein with a price: high potassium and phosphorus on paper — though plant phosphorus is absorbed far less completely than additive phosphorus.

A healthier swap

In advanced CKD with tight limits, swap some lentil meals for eggs, fish or chicken as your team advises; in earlier stages, moderate portions often stay.

Understand the nutrients

Frequently asked questions

Are lentils 'bad' for kidneys then?

No food is simply bad. Lentils bring fibre and steady energy, and their phosphorus is only partly absorbed. Whether they fit depends on your stage and blood results — exactly the decision a renal dietitian personalises.

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.