How Plant-Based Eating Helped Two People Slow Kidney Disease Progression

A plant-based diet focuses on eating mostly foods that come from plants while limiting animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs.

This includes foods like:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds

Plant-based foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support heart health, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. This is important because high blood pressure and diabetes are two of the main causes of kidney disease and can worsen it if not managed.

The science backs this up. Research shows that plant-based eating patterns may help slow kidney disease progression, improve blood pressure, and lower the risk of complications.

Learn more about plant-based diets. 

In 2006, Dwayne was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disease that causes scarring in the kidneys.

“My eGFR was low. I saw many specialists to try and find ways to maintain it,” he said. “Only one brought up nutrition.”

That recommendation changed everything.

“She told me to eat less animal protein and sodium,” he explained. “I started cutting down. But it wasn’t until I participated in a 90-day vegan challenge that I felt a real difference.”

Within two weeks, he started feeling better.

“I had less protein in my urine, which is a sign of less kidney damage. My blood pressure went down,” he said. “I’ve been in remission for more than 20 years. I credit that to this diet.”

Learn more about salt, blood pressure, and kidney disease.

For Peter, the turning point came after years of living with chronic kidney disease.

“My kidney numbers kept getting worse and worse. My A1C (blood sugar) was high,” he said. “My doctor said I’d need dialysis if I didn’t make a change. 

This was Peter’s wake-up call.

“I didn’t want to be on dialysis. I wanted to be around for my family,” he said. “One thing I could control was my diet. So I quit all animal products and went full vegan overnight.”

Peter saw results within months. 

“My A1C and protein-spillage went down. I didn’t feel so sluggish anymore. I had a lot more energy,” he said. “I’m still off dialysis. My overall health has also improved.”

Learn more about sugar, diabetes, and kidney disease.

While Dwayne and Peter became vegans, you don’t have to cut out all animal products to follow a plant-based diet. Many people start by making small changes over time.

“I’ve seen people be successful with simple swaps, like replacing meat with tofu a few times a week,” Peter said. “Lentils and beans are also great options because they take on the flavor of whatever you cook them with.”

That said, transitioning to a plant-based diet can still be challenging—especially if you’ve eaten meat or animal-based products for most of your life.

“I had to break a 40-year eating habit, so it wasn’t easy at first,” Dwayne said. “But I got creative. You can build really flavorful, culturally familiar meals using plant-based ingredients.”

If you’re not sure where to begin, small steps can help you ease into a more plant-based way of eating:

• Start with one plant-based meal a day
• Swap meat for beans, lentils, or tofu in your favorite recipes
• Experiment with new flavors and ingredients

Both Dwayne and Peter also recommend finding trusted nutrition guidance along the way.

“The National Kidney Foundation has been there through my whole journey,” Dwayne said. “The nutrition resources and recipes have come a long way. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for kidney-friendly eating ideas.”

Explore NKF’s Nutrition Hub. 

Everyone’s path with kidney disease is unique. But for Dwayne and Peter, changing their eating habits helped them feel better and more in control. 

If you’re thinking about trying a plant-based diet, talk with your healthcare team or a kidney dietitian to find an approach that works for you.

Find a kidney dietitian.