Kidney Health

Your kidneys play an essential role in filtering waste products, balancing fluids and electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, and supporting overall health. When kidney function changes, nutrition becomes an important part of protecting your kidneys and slowing disease progression.

You may have been told to "watch your diet," but the advice can often feel confusing. One source recommends limiting protein, another says to avoid potassium or phosphorus, while someone else tells you to drink more water. The reality is that nutrition recommendations for kidney health are highly individualized and depend on your diagnosis, stage of kidney disease, lab values, medications, and overall health.

Whether you're looking to prevent kidney disease from progressing, reduce your risk of future kidney stones, or better understand what foods are right for you, nutrition can play a key role in supporting your kidney health.

I can help with the following concerns:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic Kidney Disease occurs when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Nutrition therapy can help slow disease progression, manage symptoms, and support overall health by tailoring your intake of protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and fluids when appropriate.

Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can be extremely painful. Dietary strategies vary depending on the type of stone but often include optimizing fluid intake and making targeted changes to calcium, sodium, oxalate, protein, or other nutrients to help reduce the risk of recurrence.

Protein in the Urine (Proteinuria)
Protein in the urine can be an early sign of kidney damage. Along with medical treatment, nutrition can help support kidney health by managing blood pressure, blood sugar, sodium intake, and other dietary factors that may contribute to ongoing kidney damage.

Reduced Kidney Function (Low eGFR)
A decline in kidney function may require adjustments to your diet to help reduce the workload on your kidneys while ensuring you continue to meet your nutritional needs. Recommendations are based on your stage of kidney disease and individual lab results.

High Blood Pressure and Diabetes Affecting Kidney Health
High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. Nutrition counselling can help improve blood sugar management, support healthy blood pressure, and reduce the risk of further kidney damage.

When To Seek Support

If you've been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, have a history of kidney stones, have protein in your urine, reduced kidney function, or have diabetes or high blood pressure affecting your kidneys, nutrition counselling can help you better understand your dietary needs. You may also benefit from support if you've recently been advised to limit nutrients such as sodium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, or fluids and are unsure how to make these changes while still enjoying food.

How Nutrition Counselling Can Help

As a Registered Dietitian, I provide personalized, evidence-based nutrition counselling tailored to your kidney health, medical history, lab results, and lifestyle. Rather than following a restrictive "kidney diet," we'll develop a realistic eating plan that supports your kidney function while ensuring your meals remain balanced, satisfying, and enjoyable.

Together, we can work on:

  • Understanding which dietary recommendations apply to your specific kidney condition

  • Managing sodium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake when needed

  • Reducing the risk of future kidney stones through targeted nutrition strategies

  • Supporting healthy blood pressure and blood sugar to help protect kidney function

  • Creating sustainable eating habits that fit your lifestyle and food preferences

To schedule a free phone consultation click here. 

Sharona offers virtual nutrition counselling throughout Ontario.