Protein Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease
Updated March 07, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Question: I’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease, and I’m still confused about what I can and cannot eat. Should I avoid protein or not?
Frank - About.com User
Answer: The amount of protein you can have depends upon the progression of the disease. If you're in the earlier parts of kidney failure, you'll probably have to limit the amount of protein you can consume. That's because your kidneys will have trouble eliminating urea, which is a waste product of protein metabolism.
Protein is essential for repairing and maintaining muscles, organs and other tissues. You also need some protein to keep your immune system functioning properly. Reducing your protein intake will take some of the load off your kidneys, but, you'll still need some protein, probably about 1 gram protein per kilogram of bodyweight, or less, per day. Ask your health care provider exactly how much protein you can consume. You may also need to speak with a dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in kidney disorders. He or she will help design a meal plan that's safe for your kidneys.
If your disease progresses to the stage where you need dialysis, you'll probably need to increase your protein intake again, up to 10 ounces of high-protein foods per day. But you need to be careful about which types of proteins you choose. Some of the plant-based protein sources are also high in potassium and phosphorus, two minerals that you may still need to limit. These plant-based protein sources are nuts, seeds, peanuts, legumes and lentils.
Grains and animal based protein sources should be fine.
In order to monitor your protein intake, you'll need to know which foods are highest in proteins. In general foods from animal sources contain the most protein. So poultry, meat, seafood, dairy products and eggs are generally high in protein.
Plant-based foods may also contain protein, but usually in much smaller amounts. However, foods like legumes, nuts, seeds and grains (products made from these foods) can be high in protein.
Sources:
The National Kidney Foundation. "Dietary Guidelines for Adults Starting on Hemodialysis." Accessed August 12, 2013. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dietary_hemodialysis.cfm.
The National Kidney Foundation. "Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease." Accessed August 12, 2013. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/nutrickd.cfm.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Question: I’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease, and I’m still confused about what I can and cannot eat. Should I avoid protein or not?
Frank - About.com User
Answer: The amount of protein you can have depends upon the progression of the disease. If you're in the earlier parts of kidney failure, you'll probably have to limit the amount of protein you can consume. That's because your kidneys will have trouble eliminating urea, which is a waste product of protein metabolism.
Protein is essential for repairing and maintaining muscles, organs and other tissues. You also need some protein to keep your immune system functioning properly. Reducing your protein intake will take some of the load off your kidneys, but, you'll still need some protein, probably about 1 gram protein per kilogram of bodyweight, or less, per day. Ask your health care provider exactly how much protein you can consume. You may also need to speak with a dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in kidney disorders. He or she will help design a meal plan that's safe for your kidneys.
If your disease progresses to the stage where you need dialysis, you'll probably need to increase your protein intake again, up to 10 ounces of high-protein foods per day. But you need to be careful about which types of proteins you choose. Some of the plant-based protein sources are also high in potassium and phosphorus, two minerals that you may still need to limit. These plant-based protein sources are nuts, seeds, peanuts, legumes and lentils.
Grains and animal based protein sources should be fine.
High Protein Foods
In order to monitor your protein intake, you'll need to know which foods are highest in proteins. In general foods from animal sources contain the most protein. So poultry, meat, seafood, dairy products and eggs are generally high in protein.
Plant-based foods may also contain protein, but usually in much smaller amounts. However, foods like legumes, nuts, seeds and grains (products made from these foods) can be high in protein.
Sources:
The National Kidney Foundation. "Dietary Guidelines for Adults Starting on Hemodialysis." Accessed August 12, 2013. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dietary_hemodialysis.cfm.
The National Kidney Foundation. "Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease." Accessed August 12, 2013. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/nutrickd.cfm.
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