For kidney disease, the best protein involves moderate intake, prioritizing plant-based sources like beans, lentils, and tofu, which are easier on kidneys than animal proteins, while also including lean meats, fish, and eggs in controlled portions, guided by a dietitian to manage waste products and preserve muscle mass, as needs vary greatly by disease stage.
Some recommended protein bars for CKD patients include:
In the case of processed meats, these products have typically been salted, dried, cured or even canned, making foods such as hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, jerky and sausage high in sodium. These foods are also high in protein–another area of your diet that those with kidney disease are advised to monitor closely.
When your kidneys don't work well, the phosphorus can build up in your blood and lead to bone problems. Eating lean, high-quality protein can help you get the right amount of protein-without too much fat or phosphorus. Some good choices include fish, chicken, lean red meat, a bit of low-fat dairy, and eggs.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage blood pressure and sugar, limit over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs), and maintain a healthy weight to support overall kidney function.
Best Foods for Kidney Health
Protein foods
You may need more protein if you are on dialysis. Ask your dietitian how much protein is right for you. Your best sources of protein are unprocessed animal foods such as fish, poultry, eggs, pork, and beef. These foods are high in protein and low in potassium and phosphorus.
Canned foods, some frozen foods, and most processed meats contain large amounts of salt. Snack foods such as chips and crackers are also high in salt. Table salt, some seasonings, ketchup, mustard, and certain sauces such as barbecue, soy, and teriyaki sauces are high in sodium.
There's no medicine that can cure CKD, but medicine can help control many of the problems that cause the condition, the complications that can happen as a result of it and keep the kidneys working for longer. You may need to take medicine to treat or prevent the different problems caused by CKD.
Two eggs a day provide about 12-14 grams of high-quality protein, which is a great start but usually not enough for your entire daily requirement, especially if you're active; most adults need significantly more (around 46g for women, 56g for men), so you'll need to add other protein sources like meat, dairy, beans, or tofu to meet your goals, says the TODAY Show.
With that in mind, read on for 10 fruits high in protein (compared with other fruits).
Some milks—such as cow's milk and soy milk—are better than others at providing protein. Bone broth and some protein powders and shakes are great options for boosting your protein intake. Smoothie recipes can be enhanced with nut butter, silken tofu, or chia or flax seeds to boost the amount of protein.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
5-Minute Kidney-Friendly Breakfasts
To keep your kidneys working at their very best, try adding the following 20 foods into your weekly diet.
Examples of high-protein foods
Proteins that come from animal sources, such as meat, eggs, and milk, as well as soy and quinoa, are called complete proteins. This means they contain all the essential amino acids the body needs and are the highest-quality protein sources.
Highest Protein Fruit
Passion fruit tops the list with 5 grams of protein per one cup of the tropical fruit. Protein is essential for satiety, tissue repair and muscle growth, with high-protein diets touted for aiding in weight loss, but often lacking in fiber.
To get 100g of protein daily, focus on prioritizing protein at every meal (aiming for 30g+ per meal) by incorporating lean meats, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, tofu, lentils, and beans, and use protein-rich snacks like nuts, seeds, or protein powder to fill gaps, planning ahead with batch cooking for easy access.
The healthiest breakfast you can eat is full of whole foods. The best whole foods for breakfast include berries, fresh fruit, whole grain cereals, vegetables, egg whites, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds. The best breakfasts for weight loss though often excludes nuts and seeds as they are calorie-dense.
To get 40g of protein for breakfast, combine protein-rich staples like eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or protein powder with meats (turkey, chicken), plant-based options (tofu, beans), and additions like nuts, seeds, or cheese, using strategies like egg white additions, protein powder in oats/smoothies, or incorporating lean meats into scrambles and bakes for a filling, muscle-supporting start.
Beans, tofu, and tempeh have more protein than eggs and some meats, and they also provide dietary fiber, which feeds our good gut bacteria, promotes healthy digestion, and can help lower cholesterol.
2) Processed deli meats: Scrap cold cuts like bologna and ham from your diet! Processed meats can be significant sources of sodium and also nitrates, which have been linked to cancer. Choose leaner meats like fresh roasted turkey or chicken and always opt for the low sodium, low nitrate meats.
Potassium and phosphorus content varies with the fish variety–catfish, cod, orange roughy, sea bass and sole are among the lowest. Salmon contains higher amounts of potassium and phosphorus but can still be worked into a kidney diet by combining it with lower potassium sides and adjusting phosphorus binders if needed.