Creating a Kidney Friendly Plate

Diet and nutritionVitamins, nutrients, minerals, and supplementsDiet and meal planningSodiumPotassiumPhosphorus

Last updated: June 05, 2026

Medically reviewed by: NKF Patient Education Team

Learn how to build a kidney friendly plate using your lab results and nutrition needs.

Table of Contents

Audio Summary of Creating a Kidney Friendly Plate

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This audio summary was created with AI, using the National Kidney Foundation content as the exclusive source. NKF clinical experts have reviewed it for accuracy.

About a kidney friendly plate

A kidney friendly plate is a simple way to plan meals when you have chronic kidney disease, also called CKD. It can help you choose portions of vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, and drinks that support your health.

There is no single kidney diet that works for everyone. Your food plan may change based on your stage of kidney disease, lab results, blood pressure, diabetes, dialysis treatment, transplant status, appetite, weight, medicines, budget, culture, and food preferences.

The kidney connection

Your kidneys help balance fluid, minerals, and waste in your body. When kidneys are not working well, some nutrients may build up or become too low. Food choices can help you manage blood pressure, blood sugar, swelling, potassium, phosphorus, and your overall nutrition.

Your eating plan should be based on your health needs. Your kidney dietitian can help you decide what foods and nutrients are right for you.

The basics of good nutrition

A kidney friendly eating pattern focuses on getting enough calories, the right amount of protein, less sodium, and food choices that match your lab results. Most people benefit from eating less processed food, cooking more meals at home when possible, using herbs and spices instead of salt, and choosing foods they enjoy in portions that fit their care plan.

Build your kidney friendly plate

Use this plate as a guide when planning your meal.  Your kidney dietitian may change the portions, especially if you are on dialysis, have diabetes, need to gain or lose weight, have high potassium or phosphorus, or have a poor appetite.

Changes to my diet

Nutrition needs can change over time. A person with early CKD may only need to lower sodium and choose balanced meals. A person with later stage CKD may need more guidance about protein, potassium, phosphorus, calories, and fluid. A person on dialysis usually needs more protein than someone who is not on dialysis.

Do not remove whole food groups unless your healthcare team tells you to. Many people with CKD can still eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein foods. Your lab results and health needs should guide your choices.

How to manage nutrition with CKD

Know your CKD stage and whether you are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

  • Ask for your latest lab results, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, albumin, bicarbonate, blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight trends.
  • Read Nutrition Facts labels for sodium, added sugar, saturated fat, and protein.
  • Check ingredient lists for phosphate additives. Look for words with “phos,” such as phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, or pyrophosphate.
  • Plan meals around foods you already eat and enjoy. A kidney diet should fit your culture, budget, cooking skills, and access to food.
  • Work with a registered dietitian nutritionist who has kidney experience.

Looking for guidance on a kidney-friendly diet?

Find a kidney dietitian experienced in managing nutrition for pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. They can serve as a valuable resource to support personalized dietary care.

Find a Dietitian

Nutrients

The nutrients below are often discussed in kidney disease. Your target may be different from someone else’s. Your kidney dietitian can help turn your lab results and health needs into daily meal choices.

Protein

 

  • Protein helps build and repair muscles. It also helps your body fight infection and heal. Foods with protein include meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds.
  • When you have kidney disease, the amount of protein you need depends on your stage of kidney disease and your treatment.
  • Some people with CKD who are not on dialysis may need smaller portions of protein. This can help lower the amount of waste the kidneys need to filter.
  • People on dialysis usually need more protein because some protein is lost during dialysis treatment.
  • People with a kidney transplant may have different protein needs at different times after transplant. Your transplant team can tell you what is right for you.
  • A kidney dietitian can help you understand how much protein to eat each day. Ask for your daily protein goal in grams. This number can make meal planning easier.

Sodium

 

  • Sodium is a mineral found in salt and many packaged, restaurant, and processed foods. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, increase thirst, and make swelling worse. Many adults with CKD are advised to aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. Your care team may give you a different goal.
  • Choose foods labeled no salt added, low sodium, or reduced sodium when possible.
  • Use garlic, onion, herbs, spices, citrus, vinegar, and salt free seasoning blends instead of salt.
  • Limit processed meats, canned soups, boxed meals, fast food, salty snacks, pickles, and seasoning packets.
  • Be careful with salt substitutes. Many contain potassium chloride and may not be safe if your potassium is high.
     

Potassium

    

  • Potassium helps nerves and muscles work, including the heart. Potassium can become too high or too low in kidney disease. Your potassium plan should be based on your blood potassium level, medicines, bowel habits, blood sugar, and other health needs.
  • If your potassium is in range, you may not need to avoid all higher potassium fruits and vegetables.
  • If your potassium is high, your dietitian may help you choose lower potassium foods, adjust portions, or use cooking methods that lower potassium in some vegetables.
  • Watch for potassium additives in packaged foods and salt substitutes.
  • Ask what potassium range is right for you and what to do if your level changes.

Phosphorus

 

  • Phosphorus helps build bones and teeth. In CKD, phosphorus may build up in the blood and affect bones, blood vessels, and the heart. Your phosphorus plan should be based on your blood phosphorus level and your overall care plan. The source of phosphorus matters. Phosphorus additives in processed foods are absorbed more easily than phosphorus naturally found in many plant foods.
  • Limit foods and drinks with phosphate additives if your phosphorus is high.
  • Check ingredient lists for words with “phos.”
  • Take phosphate binders exactly as prescribed if your doctor has ordered them.
  • Do not avoid all beans, nuts, seeds, or whole grains unless your dietitian recommends it. Portion size and lab results matter.
     

Fluid

 

  • Fluid needs are different for each person. Some people with CKD do not need a fluid limit. Other people may need to limit fluids because of swelling, shortness of breath, low urine output, heart failure, or dialysis. Fluids include water, coffee, tea, juice, milk, soup, ice, gelatin, frozen pops, and foods that melt at room temperature.
  • Ask your care team if you need a daily fluid goal.
  • Limit salty foods if you feel thirsty often.
  • Track your weight and swelling if your care team asks you to.
  • Call your doctor if you have sudden weight gain, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Additional considerations

A kidney friendly plate should be personalized. These situations may change your nutrition plan:

  • Diabetes or prediabetes
  • High blood pressure or heart failure
  • High or low potassium
  • High phosphorus or high parathyroid hormone
  • Food allergies, vegetarian or vegan eating patterns, halal or kosher needs
  • Dialysis, transplant, pregnancy, cancer, infection, surgery, or recent hospitalization

These amounts can help you choose recipes and plan meals. Your personal needs may be different. Ask your doctor or kidney dietitian what amounts are right for you.

CategoryMeal targetSnack, side, or dessert targetNotes
SodiumLess than 500 mgLess than 250 mgSupports lower sodium meal planning.
PotassiumLess than 450 mgLess than 200 mgUse when a low potassium tag is needed. Not everyone with CKD needs a low potassium diet.
PhosphorusLess than 250 mgLess than 125 mgUse when a low phosphorus tag is needed. Limit ingredients with phosphate additives when phosphorus is high.
Protein, CKD stages 3 to 4Less than 15 gLess than 8 gUseful for lower protein meals for people not on dialysis when appropriate.
Protein, dialysisAbout 24 gAbout 10 gUseful for higher protein meals or snacks for people on dialysis.

Questions for your healthcare team

  • What stage of CKD do I have?
  • Can you refer me for Medical Nutrition Therapy?
  • Do I need to follow a special nutrition plan right now?
  • How much protein should I eat each day?
  • Do I need to limit sodium? What is my daily sodium goal?
  • Are my potassium and phosphorus levels in range?
  • Do I need to limit potassium or phosphorus, or should I focus on additives and portion sizes?
  • Do I need a fluid limit?
  • How should I change my plate if I start dialysis or receive a transplant?

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This content is provided for informational use only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional.
© 2026 National Kidney Foundation, Inc.