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Stage 5 kidney disease always requires dialysis and\/or a kidney transplant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 13% of the world\u2019s population is estimated to have chronic kidney disease<\/a> (1<\/a>). Having diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease because high blood sugar levels<\/a> damage your kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kidney disease from diabetes is called diabetic nephropathy<\/a>. Around 20-30% of people with diabetes will get diabetic nephropathy (2<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have advanced or end-stage kidney disease, you might need to follow a restrive renal diet. A renal diet<\/a> restricts foods high in certain minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus, that can accumulate in your bloodstream if your kidneys don\u2019t filter them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t need to limit potassium and phosphorus, you should still limit sodium to help preserve your kidney health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a moderate carbohydrate diet low in added sugars is also important to help control blood glucose levels<\/a>. High blood glucose levels will continue to damage the delicate tubules and blood vessels in your kidneys, which can worsen your kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, we share a list of the foods you might want to limit or avoid if you have diabetes and kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aim to keep your sodium intake below 2,000 milligrams per day if you have diabetes and kidney disease, or less if your healthcare provider recommends it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sodium is found in processed foods like frozen ready-to-eat meals, quick bread mixes, canned soups, and snack foods like chips, pretzels, etc. It\u2019s also prevalent in prepared foods, including fast food and frozen entrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples of high-sodium foods include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Centers for Disease Control, 40% of the sodium in the typical Western diet<\/a> comes from these ten foods, which can add up if you eat them often throughout the day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have advanced kidney disease and\/or your blood levels of phosphorus are consistently normal, you don\u2019t need to avoid high-phosphorus foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, some high-phosphorus foods to avoid include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like phosphorus, only limit potassium if you have high blood potassium levels or have been told to limit potassium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some high-potassium foods include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating and drinking added sugar regularly can make it difficult to meet your blood sugar goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sugary beverages are the leading contributor of added sugar in a typical Western diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinks like soda, sweetened teas, sugary coffee drinks, energy drinks, and many more are very high in added sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Added sugar is also found in processed foods like cereal, granola bars, yogurt, pre-made fruit smoothies, and many more. Always check the nutrition facts label to see how much added sugar is in your favorite foods and drinks. Aim to keep your added sugar intake below 40 grams per day – the lower the number, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each person should tailor a diet for kidney disease and diabetes to promote blood sugar control and kidney health. Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can benefit diabetes and kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need to limit potassium, disregard those in the lists below that are high in potassium. Otherwise, potassium promotes healthy blood pressure levels<\/a>, which can benefit your kidneys, and shouldn\u2019t be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-starchy vegetables are low in carbohydrates, so they don\u2019t raise your blood sugar levels much. They\u2019re also naturally rich in beneficial nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grains like bread can be refined or whole grains. Whole grains are rich in fiber, a nutrient that is beneficial for your blood sugar. Whole grains also have more protein<\/a> and nutrients than refined grains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refined grains might spike your blood sugar levels more sharply, worsening blood sugar control. Blood sugar spikes<\/a> aren\u2019t good for your kidney health either since they cause further damage to the blood vessels and tubules that help filter your blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of whole grains include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your stage of kidney requires you to limit high-potassium foods, then you can choose from some of the examples below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of your kidney disease stage, you should be careful about your sodium content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose from lower-sodium foods<\/a> below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have end-stage kidney disease and are on dialysis, your protein needs may be increased. If you\u2019re not on dialysis and have kidney disease, it\u2019s important not to overeat protein since its waste byproducts can\u2019t be easily filtered out of your blood by your kidneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to not under-eat protein either since this may cause a decline in kidney function, according to studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another benefit of protein is that it doesn\u2019t raise your blood glucose levels as carbohydrates do. Including protein-rich foods<\/a> with your meals and snacks might help stabilize your blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples of high-quality protein include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n [bensnaturalhealthIinlineLeadGen id =”1″ event=”15 Food Blood Sugar eBook Download” image=”https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Ipad-15-Foods.png” title=”Get Your FREE Diabetes Diet Plan” content=”##15 foods to naturally lower blood sugar levels ##3 day sample meal plan ##Designed exclusively by our nutritionist”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing which foods to eat and avoid can help you manage your diabetes and kidney disease. A diet for managing diabetes and kidney disease should be low in refined carbohydrates and added sugar, low in sodium, and potentially lower in potassium or phosphorus, depending on the stage of kidney disease. Adequate high-quality protein intake and nutrient-dense foods like non-starchy vegetables and whole grains can also be beneficial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"glyco](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Glucose-Control-Inline-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFoods to avoid with kidney disease and diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
High-sodium foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"foods](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/fried-foods-1024x256.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHigh-phosphorus foods <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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High-potassium foods <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"foods](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lycopene-benefits-for-men-1-1024x256.jpeg\")
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What foods should you eat if you have diabetes and kidney disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Non-starchy vegetables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"cruciferous](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/large-Diindolylmethane-Uses-Side-Effects-Interactions-Dosage.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhole grains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lower-potassium produce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"foods](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/berries-1024x256.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLow-sodium foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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High-quality protein<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"blood-sugar-control\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/large-15-Best-Ways-to-Effectively-Control-Blood-Sugar.jpg\")
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