CKD FOOD GUIDELINES
Food Guidelines* for People With CKD
*Based on sodium and phosphorus mg per serving per food ingredient.
When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), it’s
important to pay careful attention to your diet and
limit your maximum daily intake for the following:
• Sodium: 2000 mg per day
• Phosphorus: 1000 mg per day
Here’s a general list of foods that are good
to choose or limit for a kidney-friendly
diet. Remember, though, this is a guideline,
so be sure to speak with your doctor or
dietitian for food choices that are best for
your particular health.
Foods to choose
Foods to limit
Food items selected based on lowsodium and low-phosphorus content
per serving size.*
Food items selected based on
sodium and phosphorus content
per serving size.*
BREADS
SERVING SIZE = 1 PIECE i.e., 1 slice
Unless otherwise specified
Bagel (½)
Blueberry Muffin (small)
English Muffin (½)
Wheat Bread
White Bread
Boxed Bread Stuffing Mixes
Coffee Cake Croissant
Danish Pastry
Doughnuts (cake type)
Pancakes
Toaster Pastries
Waffles
CEREALS/GRAINS
SERVING SIZE = ½ CUP COOKED
Unless otherwise specified
Bulgur
Couscous
Dry Cereal – Plain (3/4 cup)
Hot Cereal (not instant)
Pasta
Quinoa
Rice
Rice Noodles
Boxed Rice Mixes
Canned Ravioli and Spaghetti
Cereal Bars
Granola
Granola Bars
BEVERAGES
SERVING SIZE = 1 CUP
Unless otherwise specified
Club Soda
Coffee
Ginger Ale
Iced Tea
Lemonade
Tea – Green, Herb, Black
Water
Coconut Milk
Coconut Water
Colas
Flavored Water
Fruit Punch
Hot Chocolate
MILK, MILK PRODUCTS
AND MILK SUBSTITUTES
SERVING SIZE = ½ CUP
Unless otherwise specified
Cottage Cheese (1% milk fat,
low-sodium)
Cream Cheese (1 tbsp)
Greek Yogurt
Milk – Almond, Rice, Soy (not
enriched)
Yogurt
Cheese
Cottage Cheese – Regular
Milk – Chocolate, Regular, Buttermilk
Milk Shakes
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CKD FOOD GUIDELINES
DESSERT
SERVING SIZE = 1 PIECE or 1 SLICE
Unless otherwise specified
Cake – Angel Food
Frozen Novelties (ice pops)
Frozen Yogurt
Fruit Pies
Gelatin Desserts (½ cup)
Graham Crackers (2 squares)
Lemon Meringue Pie
Sherbet (½ cup)
Vanilla Wafers (8 wafers)
Cake – Frosted
Cheesecake
Cookies/Brownies
Ice Cream (½ cup)
Pecan Pie
Pudding (½ cup)
Pumpkin Pie
FRUITS
SERVING SIZE = ½ CUP
or 1 MEDIUM SIZED FRUIT
Unless otherwise specified
Canned Fruit
Dried Fruits (2 tbsp)
Fresh Fruit
Fruit Juices
Prunes (2)
Starfruit (AVOID)
PROTEIN SOURCE
SERVING SIZE = 3 oz
Unless otherwise specified
Beans – Kidney, Black, Navy (½ cup)
Beef/Veal
Chicken
Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans (½ cup)
Egg Substitute (1/4 cup)
Eggs (2)
Fish
Hummus – Plain (2 tbsp)
Lamb
Nut Butters (peanut, almond,
cashew) – Natural (2 tbsp)
Pork
Tofu
Turkey
Soybeans (½ cup)
Bacon
Canned Meats and Fish
Crab
Deli Meats
Ham
Hot Dogs
Liver
Lobster
Sausage
Shrimp
Smoked Meats
VEGETABLES
SERVING SIZE = ½ CUP COOKED
Without salt
Canned Vegetables (low-sodium)
Fresh Vegetables
Frozen Vegetable (without sauce)
Potatoes (white, sweet)
Canned Vegetables
French Fries (salted or seasoned)
Frozen Vegetables (with sauce)
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CKD FOOD GUIDELINES
MISCELLANEOUS
SERVING SIZE = 1 TABLESPOON
Unless otherwise specified
Butter (unsalted)
Canola Oil
Ketchup (low-sodium)
Fresh Herbs
Ginger
Half and Half
Heavy Cream
Honey
Jams and Jellies
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Olive Oil
Margarine
Mayonnaise
Safflower Oil
Sour Cream
Vegetable Oil
Vinegar
Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 27
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list
*Foods with less than 1.1 mg sodium per gram and less than 1.5 mg phosphorus per gram.
© 2016 Fresenius Medical Care, All Rights Reserved.
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All Canned Soup (1 cup)
Coconut Oil
Gravy – Canned, Mix
Lard
Mustard
Olives
Palm Oil
Pickles