How working with a dietitian can support you at every stage of kidney disease

March is not only Kidney Month, but it is also National Nutrition Month - making it a great time to learn how food can support your kidney health and overall wellbeing. If you are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may feel unsure about what to eat. Information from the internet can be overwhelming, causing confusion and frustration. You may find conflicting advice about "fad diets" or misinformation that can often be misleading. The good news is that you don't have to figure it out alone. A registered dietitian (RD) can help. 

A dietitian is a licensed health professional with specific education and training in food and nutrition. Some RDs, called renal dietitians, have additional training to support people with kidney disease. They are an important part of your care team and can help you create and follow a kidney-friendly eating plan that fits your health needs, culture, budget and lifestyle. 

Eating for kidney disease

When your kidneys aren't working well, you may need to make changes to what you eat. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your nutritional needs can depend on:

• Stage of your kidney disease
• Your lab results
• What medicines you take
• If you have other health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure
• If you are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant

That's why it's important to work with a dietitian who understands your unique needs and can help you manage nutrients like sodium, potassium, phosphorusand protein.  If you're in the early stages of CKD, they can make recommendations to help slow down disease progression to kidney failure. They can also provide support before and after a kidney transplant, helping you meet pre-surgery requirements and make food choices to keep your new kidney healthy and avoid complications after surgery.   

How can dietitians help

Dietitians can help you build a better relationship with food, feel less restricted and build healthy habits that are sustainable for the long term, so you can make it part of your lifestyle. 

They can also help you:

• Read food and nutrition labels
• Understand portion and serving sizes
• Enjoy your favorite foods in a balanced way
• Feel more confident grocery shopping
• Explore different eating styles, like plant-based eating
• Manage a healthy weight
• Learn cooking skills so you feel more confident and comfortable in the kitchen
• Share kidney-friendly recipes 

"As a renal dietitian working closely with patients on dialysis, I see my role as helping them understand the story behind their monthly lab results — potassium, phosphorus and beyond — and translating those numbers into realistic, achievable dietary goals," says Jing Feng, MSPH, RDN, LDN, a member of the American Kidney Fund's Dietitian Advisory Group. "Meaningful change doesn't happen overnight; it often takes weeks or months to show up in the labs. Along the way, I serve as their cheerleader, reminding them that even small, consistent changes can lead to powerful outcomes."

Working together

Dietitians focus on balance, flexibility and meeting you where you are. They are not meant to be the "food police" who judge and restrict you with strict rules. Instead, they focus on realistic changes, helping you make decisions without fear or guilt. To better help understand your lifestyle and how to best support you, they may ask about: 

• What you typically eat in a day
• Your food preferences
• Any dietary restrictions, allergens or sensitivities  
• How you prepare your meals
• Your favorite foods
• Your access to grocery stores 

Finding a dietitian 

You can ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian. Many dialysis centers and transplant teams have dietitians as part of the care team who work directly with patients, making sure they get proper nutrition. Additionally, many insurance plans will help cover nutrition counseling by dietitians, so check with your insurance provider and plan. You can also use the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Dietitian directory to search for a dietitian in your area.

Download our "Working with a Dietitian" guide for more information on getting ready for your first visit and what to expect. 

Remember, food doesn't have to be stressful, and you don't have to navigate it alone. Working with a dietitian can help guide you and make you feel more empowered and confident in your food choices.