The right diet and nutrition can keep you healthy and help prevent illnesses like chronic kidney disease (CKD). If you already have CKD, diet and nutrition can help you manage it at every stage, including kidney failure. Healthy foods in the right amounts can support your kidneys, prevent muscle atrophy, and maintain your strength and quality of life. Learn from Jen Hernandez, RDN, CSR, LDN how a renal dietitian can help customize your diet to optimize your health and well-being.*

Why find a renal dietitian?

When you have CKD, your nutritional needs can change several times depending on the changes in your kidney function, as well as other stressors on your body such as other health conditions, environmental stressors, and even the stress of treatments like dialysis. 

At different times you may need to restrict or increase protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sugar, and other substances that are found in many common foods. After a while, it can be difficult to know what to eat, when to eat, and in what amounts. Some people, in frustration, start avoiding meals, but this is dangerous, and they place themselves at risk for:

• Malnutrition,
• Uncontrolled blood sugar and blood pressure levels, 
• Kidney failure, and
• Treatment interference.

A renal dietitian can guide you through the mysteries of how to eat healthy, satisfying meals and snacks in a variety of situations at different stages of CKD, as well as helping you craft meal plans that are consistent with your cultural and ethical beliefs and traditions.

What can I expect from working with a renal dietitian?

Your initial session with a renal dietitian usually involves:

• An assessment, 
• A review of your labs and family history, 
• A discussion of your eating habits and preferences, and 
• An exploration of your overall health and dietary goals. 

Your dietitian can provide education, and partner with you to create personalized meal plans,  adjusting your goals and plans as your nutritional needs change, based on follow-up tests and sessions.

When is working with a renal dietitian helpful? 

You don’t need a diagnosis in order to work with a renal dietitian, says Hernandez, and it’s never too early to consult one in order to stay healthy, reduce risk, and/or minimize damage. It’s appropriate to start:

• Before a kidney diagnosis 
• Upon receiving a diagnosis 
• When you get your blood and urine labs drawn
• Any time that your kidney function changes

In fact, the earlier you start working with a dietitian, the more effective nutrition can be in your health and care plans.

How do I find a renal dietitian?

Your nephrologist may refer you to a renal dietitian directly, or you can find one through a:

• Hospital,
• Dialysis center,
• Transplant center,
• Long-term care facility, or
• Private practice.

Many renal dietitians now also work online. Plant-Powered Kidneys has a Renal Dietitian Directory with links to directories throughout the U.S. and in some other countries.

*Hernandez, J. (2022). Renal Dietitian Nutritionist: What We Do, Who We Serve & How To Find One. Plant-Powered Kidneys. https://www.plantpoweredkidneys.com/renal-dietitian-nutritionist-guide/ 

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