RDN Resources for Consumers:
Vegetarian Diets in Chronic Kidney Disease
Whether you are lacto-ovo vegetarian
or vegan, your food choices can be adapted to a diet High Quality Protein Sources*
designed for kidney disease management Lower Phosphorus Higher Phosphorus
Egg white Cheese (american, cheddar)
Chronic Kidney Disease Lentils Cooked, dried beans
Peanut butter Egg yolk
Research shows that a plant-based diet may slow Soy milk Milk (cows)
down some complications of chronic kidney disease Tempeh Tahini
(CKD) such as heart disease, protein loss in urine Tofu Sunflower seeds
and the progression of kidney damage. The National Yogurt
Kidney Foundation recommends a vegetarian diet as
beneficial for CKD patients.
*Check with your RDN or doctor for appropriate serving sizes
Treatment for kidney disease includes a meal plan Phosphorus
that will help lower the levels of protein, potassium,
sodium, fluid and phosphorus in your body. Carefully Phosphorus often needs to be limited, even if blood
following a meal plan that meets your individual phosphorus levels are normal. The levels of phosphorus
needs will help keep nutrients in your blood at are not always listed on the Nutrition Facts label, so it
normal levels, lessen the amounts of fluids your body is important to understand which foods have higher
retains and prevent bone loss. phosphorus levels. Some vegetarian options such
as milk, cheese, yogurt, cooked beans and nuts are
There is no one diet that is right for everyone with high in phosphorus. These foods should not exceed
kidney disease. And, your individual meal plan recommended amounts.
will change over time. It is important to consult
with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) for Plant based protein sources of phosphorus are generally
personalized health recommendations and meal less absorbed than animal based sources. Ultra processed
plans. Your doctor and registered dietitian nutritionist foods may contain large aomunts of phosphorus as a
will determine the levels of protein, potassium, preservative, which is highly absorbed. As an example,
sodium fluid and phosphorus that your meal plan dark carbonated beverages and bottled iced teas may
should provide. contain phosphorus as a preservative, so it is best to stick
with water or homemade herbal teas.
Nutrients of Special Concern Check the United States Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA’s) nutrient database for more detailed information
Protein
on phosphorus levels in foods:
About two-thirds of protein in your meal plan should
come from high quality protein sources. Below https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/.
are the best sources of high quality plant proteins,
including lacto-ovo and vegan choices.
RDN Resources for Consumers: Vegetarian Diets in Chronic Kidney Disease
Potassium Fluid
Your doctor or RDN will let you know if you need to You may be on a fluid-
avoid or limit fruits and vegetables that are high in restricted diet. Fluid is
potassium. Listed below are some examples of low defined as anything liquid
potassium fruits and vegetables. at room temperature, such as
water, tea, coffee, soda, gelatin, ice
Examples of lower Examples of lower cream, and sherbet. Follow your
potassium vegetables potassium fruits
doctor’s or dietitian’s instructions
Sprouts (bean, alfalfa) Apple
regarding fluid intake.
Beets Blackberries
Cabbage Blueberries Vitamins and Minerals
Cauliflower Grapes
Corn Lemon Discuss vitamin and mineral supplements with your
Cucumber Peach (canned) doctor and dietitian. A vitamin, and possibly mineral,
Endive Pineapple supplement may be beneficial when following a diet
Eggplant Raspberries modified in potassium, phosphorus and protein.
Lettuce (all types) Strawberries
Mushrooms Watermelon
An over-the-counter
multivitamin may be adequate
Onions
for your needs. Also, be
Source: Nutrition Care Manual sure to let your doctor and
dietitian know about any
Sodium dietary supplements or herbal
Most foods contain sodium, however, processed and products that you are taking.
canned foods typically have higher amounts. If you
rely on processed or convenience vegetarian food Find a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
such as meat alternatives, you may be consuming too
A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you
much sodium. Be sure to check the Nutrition Facts
develop a healthy vegetarian eating plan that
label for each food’s sodium level per serving.
meets your needs.
Examples of High Sodium Foods To find an RDN in your area, visit https://
vegetariannutrition.net/find-a-registered-
Convenience foods: Meat alternative examples: dietitian/
Frozen meals Veggie burgers
Canned or dried soups Tofu hot dogs
Canned beans Frozen meal entrée
Canned vegetables with
salt added Condiments:
Vegetable miso Soy and teriyaki sauces
Processed cheese Salt, including sea salt
Salted snack foods Garlic, onion and seasoned salts
RD Resources are a project of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. More topics available at
www.VegetarianNutrition.net. Professional resources also available for members at www.VNDPG.org. © 2018 by VN DPG.
Written by: Joan Brookhyser Hogan, RD, CSR, CD
Updated by Chris Vogliano MS, RDN Expires November 2023.
