How do I prevent CKD?

Diet

For early stages of CKD, there are different types of diets to pursue as well as dietary recommendations. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your specific nutrition needs. Read the brief descriptions of each diet and recommendation below.

DASH Diet: Rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. It is low in salt and sodium, added sugars and sweets, fat and red meats.

Mediterranean Diet: A diet typical of many Mediterranean countries, such as Italy and Spain. Consists mainly of cereals, grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts, along with moderate amounts of fish, cheese, olive oil, yogurt, and little red meat.

Learn More about Mediterranean

Learn More about DASH

Diet Tips

To feel your best, control your sodium (salt) intake. Eating too much sodium can make it hard to manage your fluids and thirst. It can also cause high blood pressure, fluid gain, swelling, and heart damage.

Limit foods with added phosphorus (any words with “phos”, such as calcium phosphate or phosphoric
acid, in the ingredients).

Exercise

Exercise can prevent kidney disease by helping you to:

Maintain a healthy weight
Control blood pressure and cholesterol
Prevent other diseases

Aerobic exercises are the best option for non-dialysis CKD patients and should last between 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week.

For more information, visit the National Kidney Foundation website.