Calorie Tracking with Kidney Disease
Complex but manageable. Here's how to navigate renal nutrition.
Critical: Kidney disease nutrition is highly individualized. Work closely with a renal dietitian. This guide provides general information only.
Why Tracking Matters with CKD
Damaged kidneys can't filter properly, so you must control:
- Protein — Creates waste kidneys must filter
- Sodium — Affects fluid balance and blood pressure
- Potassium — Can build to dangerous levels
- Phosphorus — Affects bone and heart health
- Fluids — May need restriction in advanced stages
Guidelines Vary by Stage
| CKD Stage | Protein | Other Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Normal | Low sodium |
| 3 | 0.6-0.8g/kg | Low sodium, monitor potassium |
| 4-5 | 0.6-0.8g/kg | Restricted K, P, Na, fluids |
| Dialysis | 1.0-1.2g/kg (higher) | Strict K, P, Na, fluid limits |
Low-Potassium Foods
Potassium often needs to stay under 2,000-3,000mg daily:
- Fruits: Apples, berries, grapes, pineapple
- Vegetables: Cabbage, green beans, cauliflower, peppers
- Grains: White rice, white bread, pasta
High-potassium foods to limit: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, avocados
Low-Phosphorus Foods
Phosphorus often needs to stay under 800-1,000mg daily:
- Fresh meats (vs. processed)
- White bread (vs. whole grain)
- Non-dairy creamers
- Unsalted popcorn
High-phosphorus foods to limit: Dairy, nuts, beans, cola, processed foods with phosphate additives
Sample Pre-Dialysis Day: 1,800 cal
- Breakfast: Cream of wheat + egg + apple juice (400 cal)
- Snack: Rice cakes + jelly (150 cal)
- Lunch: 3 oz chicken + white rice + green beans (450 cal)
- Snack: Grapes (80 cal)
- Dinner: 3 oz fish + pasta + cabbage salad (500 cal)
- Evening: Vanilla wafers (120 cal)
Eating Enough Calories
With so many restrictions, maintaining adequate calories is challenging:
- Use healthy oils (olive, canola) liberally
- Honey and sugar are kidney-friendly calorie sources
- Low-potassium desserts can help
- Malnutrition is a real risk — don't undereat
Reading Labels
Look for:
- Sodium (aim for <600mg per serving)
- Phosphorus (often hidden — look for "phos" in ingredients)
- Potassium (not always listed — use a database)
- Avoid ingredients ending in "-phosphate"
Track Your Renal Diet
Pandish can help you track calories. Work with your renal dietitian to monitor protein, potassium, and phosphorus as needed.
Try Pandish Free →