Embracing a Diabetes- and Kidney-Friendly Eating Plan

Embracing a Diabetes- and Kidney-Friendly Eating Plan

Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes can be challenging, but a key part of managing them is having a diabetes- and kidney-friendly eating plan that will help you manage diabetes and support kidney health.

Foods that Fit in Your Eating Plan

Eating foods that have vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and are minimally processed will help you reach your health goals. 

Foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean poultry, seafood, plant proteins, heart-healthy fats, and low-fat dairy (on occasion) have lots of nutrients with fewer calories. Eating these types of food will help you keep your kidneys healthy, manage diabetes, and lower your risk for other health problems. 

Foods You May Need to Avoid

If you have CKD, you may need to limit foods with potassium, phosphorus, high levels of salt, and added sugar. Work with a  your health care team including your registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to see how these nutrients will fit into your eating plan.

Eating minimally processed foods helps lower the amount of sodium you eat each day and helps you stay within recommended levels. 

If you’re eating packaged food, choose options that are labeled as low-sodium, no-added salt, or no-added-sugar. Your health care team will let you know if you need to limit your intake of certain foods to keep your nutrient levels within normal limits.

If you need to manage your phosphorus and potassium intake, you can work with an RDN to help you adjust your eating plan. The first step is to avoid or limit highly processed foods that have phosphorus and/or potassium additives. You can tell if a food has these additives by looking at the ingredient list. Phosphorus additives start with “phos,” like “dicalcium phosphate,” and potassium additives have “potassium” in the name, like “potassium chloride.” These types of ingredients can add large amounts of phosphorus and potassium. 

Foods with naturally occurring potassium and phosphorus also need to be monitored but are better choices than foods with them as additives. This is because our body processes naturally occurring nutrients differently, so less is absorbed. Some fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, nuts, and legumes may have naturally high levels of potassium or phosphorus. By making changes to your eating plan, you can still enjoy a variety of foods while working toward your health goals.

Planning Diabetes- and Kidney-Friendly Meals

One effective tool for planning meals is using the Diabetes Plate, which helps you balance portions for a nourishing eating pan. Here’s how to use it.

Start with a nine-inch plate and:

• Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables.

  For those with CKD who need to limit their intake of phosphorus and potassium, choose options that have essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Examples include: 

  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Spinach
  • Asparagus
  • Bell peppers
  • Green beans
     

• Fill one-quarter of your plate with starchy vegetables and grains.

  These will affect your blood glucose (blood sugar) the most, but will provide you with energy and nutrients. Choose whole grains when you can to get more fiber in your meals. Examples include: 

  • Quinoa
  • Brown rice
  • Whole wheat bread
  • Barley
  • Corn
     

• Fill one-quarter of your plate with lean protein.

  Choose lean animal and plant-based proteins for fewer calories and grams of fats. By eating the right amount of protein, you can help keep your kidneys from working too hard after meals. Work with your health care team to decide how much protein you should have in your eating plan based on your lab work.

  Plant-based proteins have been shown to reduce health complications and support kidney health. Including a variety of protein sources in your eating plan will help you get essential amino acids. 

  Examples of lean proteins include: 

  • Lentils
  • Beans
  • Tofu
  • Lean, skinless poultry (such as chicken or turkey breast)
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Eggs 

Heart-Healthy Fats

Eating heart-healthy fats and limiting saturated and trans fats helps with kidney and heart health. Aim to include omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats in your meals. Examples of healthy fats include: 

• Olive oil
• Avocados (higher in potassium) or avocado oil
• Canola oil
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna

Focus on Fluids

While water should be your first choice to drink, you can also drink no-calorie options. Some examples are water flavored with herbs, unsweetened coffee, unsweetened tea, or zero-calorie clear (not dark) carbonated drinks. If you are on dialysis, you may need to limit the fluids you drink.

The Takeaway

Having diabetes and kidney-friendly eating plan will help you manage diabetes and CKD. By using the Diabetes Plate, you can create balanced, nourishing meals that support your health. You can also talk with your RDN to create an eating plan for your specific needs and goals. 

For more resources on diabetes and kidney disease, visit diabetes.org/Kidney.