If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), one of the best things you can do for your health is team up with a renal dietitian. These specialists help you slow the progression of kidney disease, manage diabetes and blood pressure, reduce protein in your urine, and maintain a healthy weight. They make sure your nutrition supports your kidneys and doesn’t work against them. It’s called Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and it’s not just helpful—national guidelines back it up. Here’s how to find a renal dietitian, wherever you are in the U.S.*

How to Find a Renal Dietitian Near You

One of the simplest ways to find a dietitian who can work closely with you to craft kidney-friendly meal plans that are customized for your specific needs and preferences is to ask your nephrologist (kidney doctor) for a recommendation. 

The National Kidney Foundation has also made it easy to find help. They’ve got a directory that lists CKD dietitians across the U.S. All you have to do is figure out which of the five regions your state is in. For example, if you’re in New York, you’d look under Region 1. Living in Texas? That’s Region 4. Once you’ve got your region, just click the link and you’ll get a list of local renal dietitians who specialize in non-dialysis CKD care.

Can’t Find One Nearby? Telehealth’s Got You Covered

If you check your region and don’t see a renal dietitian close by, don’t stress. There’s also a list of dietitians who offer telehealth services—so you can virtually meet with a specialist from the comfort of your own home. 

Another resource for finding specialists in kidney-related nutrition for both in-person and online visits is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Find a Nutrition Expert page. You simply choose “In-Person” or “Telehealth” and enter either your zip code or your city and state, then click “Find” to see your options. 

Clicking on an expert’s name will take you to their page where you can see what their subspecialties are, what language(s) they speak, and what types of insurance they accept.

Whether local or remote, getting expert guidance is 100% worth it when it comes to protecting your kidney health.

*National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition. (n.d.). CKD Kidney Dietitian Directory.

https://sites.google.com/view/ckdrd/home 

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