Pecans are considered beneficial for heart health. This makes them a great option for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD)—especially for those who also have heart disease. Depending on your stage of CKD, however, you should watch your pecan intake, and generally consume nuts in moderation, due to their high potassium levels.*

What are the benefits of eating pecans?

Pecans are a member of the walnut family. A suggested serving size of pecans equates to 15 pecans, or one ounce. 

The typical serving size has the following nutritional facts:

• 200 calories
• 2 g saturated fat
• 12 g monounsaturated fat
• 6 g polyunsaturated fat
• 4 g carbohydrate
• 3 g fiber
• 3 g protein
• 20 mg calcium
• 116 mg potassium
• 79 mg phosphorus

Pecans are a great source of fiber and contain healthy sources of fats, known as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. They’re low in saturated fats, too, which is the type of fat that you want to avoid. In their natural form, they are sodium-free.

They do contain a form of phosphorus, called phytate. Generally, people with CKD need to limit their phosphorus intake, but this type of phosphorus isn’t broken down and didn’t enter the bloodstream. This means it won’t affect your phosphorus levels.

If you’re in a later stage of CKD

Pecans are high in potassium, a micronutrient, and protein, a macronutrient—both of which often need to be moderated in people with CKD. You may be advised to eat less than an ounce of these nuts for this reason. Your renal dietitian is the best source of information on what your intake can be, however, which will be based on your unique situation and needs.

Their guidance will also be useful when using pecans in a recipe. According to Jessica Fink, MS, RD, LDN, “Consider using the 25% rule. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of pecans, reduce the amount to 1/4 cup.” This is typically important in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and those undergoing dialysis, according to DaVita Kidney Care.

It’s especially important during the holidays to consider the common foods that are brought to parties and get-togethers, such as sweet potato casseroles, sweet breads, and pecan pie, all of which contain pecans. Enjoy a small piece, but don’t overindulge.

Lean on the help of your kidney health team to ensure you’re getting the benefits of this nutritious snack, so that it’s more helpful than harmful. As with most things in life, moderation is key.

*Fink, J. (2019, Nov. 15). Food Facts Friday: Pecans. DaVita Kidney Care. https://blogs.davita.com/kidney-diet-tips/food-facts-friday-pecans/