Following a healthy diet can be challenging for everyone, but it can prove to be especially difficult for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many with CKD fear changing their diet because there is concern that it may lead to elevated levels in the blood, such as potassium or phosphorus. A plant-based diet, however, can be a kidney-friendly diet, so it’s important to understand how it may be beneficial, learn how to start a plant-based diet, and know what to look for on a nutrition label.*

What is a plant-based diet? 

As the name suggests, a plant-based diet puts a focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Unlike a vegetarian or vegan diet, this diet is not restrictive and still suggests choosing small amounts of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and dairy.

Why is a plant-based diet beneficial? 

There is growing evidence to support a plant-based diet for CKD patients. Some studies have found that it can help to prevent health problems, like heart disease and further kidney damage, and that people on a plant-based diet are shown to live longer than those following an animal-based diet. Swapping out animal protein with plant protein for two meals a day may be enough to provide these health benefits.

What tips are there for switching to a plant-based diet? 

• Make sure your doctor or registered dietitian is aware of your desire to change to a plant-based diet. They can help ensure a safe and effective transition.
• Replace animal sources of protein (beef, fish, or dairy) with plant sources of protein (legumes, nuts, soy, tofu, or grains) at a meal or snack.
• Replace more processed-grain products with whole-grain products.
• Keep track of the calories, protein, sodium, and potassium you eat daily to ensure you are meeting your needs. 

What should I look for on a nutrition label? 

When looking at nutrition labels, serving size is important, as you may eat more than one serving’s worth of certain foods. Protein, calories, sodium, and potassium need to be tracked per serving, which will ensure you are keeping an accurate track of your nutritional intake.

Keeping track of sodium and potassium is also imperative for CKD. Speak with your doctor or renal dietitian about how much of each you should have daily. Large amounts of potassium can be found in some fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Large amounts of sodium can be found in processed, soy-based or plant-based meat substitutes.  

What animal-based foods can I start swapping for plant-based ones? 

• Instead of a 3.5-ounce hamburger patty, try a 3.5-ounce soy burger patty.
• Instead of one (1) hard-boiled egg, try a quarter (¼) cup of almonds.
• Instead of two (2) tablespoons of cream cheese, try two (2) tablespoons of peanut butter.
• Instead of 3.5 ounces of Atlantic cod, try three (3) ounces of firm tofu.

For more information on a kidney-friendly, plant-based diet, head to Heart Foundation NZ.

*Wiese, G., & Gallant, K. (2019, June 18). The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Plant-Based Diet. National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/beginners-guide-to-starting-plant-based-diet-when-you-have-kidney-disease