Kidney and Liver Health Foods: Diet, Labs, and Safety

Choose Your Kidney or Liver Health Concern

Begin with the topic that best matches your diagnosis or question.

Kidney Health and Liver Health Are Different

The kidneys and liver both support normal body function, but they do not perform the same jobs.

What the Kidneys Do

Healthy kidneys help:

• Remove waste and extra fluid from the blood
• Balance sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals
• Support blood pressure control
• Help the body make red blood cells through hormone signaling
• Support bone health through vitamin D-related processes
• Maintain normal acid and fluid balance

What the Liver Does

The liver helps:

• Process nutrients from food
• Store and release energy
• Produce bile
• Make proteins involved in blood clotting and fluid balance
• Process alcohol, medicine, and other substances
• Support cholesterol and fat metabolism
• Transform or remove certain waste products

Why One Diet Does Not Fit Both

A banana can be normal nutritious food for a person without a potassium restriction.

A person with dangerously high blood potassium may need a different portion or another choice.

A high-protein diet may be unsuitable for some people with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

A person receiving dialysis may need more protein because treatment can increase protein losses.

A very low-calorie cleanse can be dangerous for a person with cirrhosis who is already losing muscle.

Diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory results matter more than a generic list of “good” or “bad” foods.

A General Eating Pattern for Kidney and Liver Wellness

This section is for general education. It does not replace a renal or liver disease diet.

A balanced pattern may include:

• Vegetables and fruit that suit your medical needs
• Beans and lentils when appropriate
• Whole grains
• Fish, eggs, poultry, tofu, or other suitable protein foods
• Plain yogurt or suitable fortified alternatives when appropriate
• Nuts and seeds in suitable portions
• Olive oil and other unsaturated fats
• Water or another drink that fits your fluid plan

Support Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and raise cardiovascular risk.

Compare sodium on food labels and reduce frequent high-sodium ready meals, processed meats, sauces, soups, snacks, and restaurant meals.

Take prescribed blood pressure medicine as directed.

Support Blood Sugar

Diabetes is a major cause of kidney disease and is strongly associated with MASLD.

Build meals with suitable portions, protein, fibre, and fewer sugary drinks.

Monitor blood sugar as directed and do not change diabetes medicine without your medical team.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking raises cardiovascular risk and can worsen health outcomes.

Food cannot cancel the effects of smoking.

Follow Diagnosis-Specific Alcohol Advice

Alcohol can affect the liver, blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, medicine, and nutrition.

People with cirrhosis should avoid alcohol completely.⁶

People who do not drink should not begin for health reasons.

Chronic Kidney Disease Nutrition

Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, means the kidneys are damaged or cannot filter blood as well as they should.

Kidney nutrition is not based on one universal list of foods to eat or avoid.

A personal plan may depend on:

• Estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR
• Urine albumin or protein
• Blood potassium
• Blood phosphorus
• Sodium and fluid balance
• Blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Body weight and muscle mass
• Appetite and recent weight change
• Medicine
• Dialysis status
• Other health conditions

NIDDK advises people with CKD to work with a registered dietitian to create an eating plan that fits their needs.¹

Do Not Restrict Without a Clear Reason

Not every person with CKD needs the same potassium, phosphorus, protein, or fluid limits.

Do not automatically remove beans, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, dairy, whole grains, nuts, seeds, or other nutritious foods.

Unnecessary restriction can reduce fibre, calories, vitamins, food variety, and enjoyment.

Use laboratory results and professional advice to decide what needs to change.

Prevent Malnutrition

Kidney diets can become too restrictive.

Eating too little can lead to weakness, unplanned weight loss, muscle loss, and poor nutrition.

Tell your medical team if your appetite falls or you lose weight without trying.

Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Protein, and Fluids

Sodium

Sodium affects blood pressure and fluid balance.

High sodium intake may worsen thirst, swelling, and blood pressure in some people with kidney disease.

Common sources include:

• Processed meats
• Ready meals
• Restaurant food
• Stock cubes and seasoning mixes
• Sauces
• Soup
• Salty snacks
• Pickled foods
• Some breads and cereals

Compare similar products and choose a lower-sodium option when it fits your care plan.

Potassium

Potassium supports nerves, muscles, and normal heart rhythm.

Kidney disease and some medicines can cause potassium to become too high or too low.

Do not follow a low-potassium diet unless your medical team recommends it.

Do not use potassium supplements or potassium-based salt substitutes without approval.

Foods that may contain more potassium include:

• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Avocado
• Beans
• Milk and yogurt
• Dried fruit
• Some leafy vegetables

These foods are not automatically unhealthy.

The right portion and frequency depend on your blood potassium, medicine, kidney function, and treatment.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus supports bones, cells, and energy processes.

Kidney disease can allow phosphorus to build up in the blood.

Sources include:

• Dairy foods
• Meat and poultry
• Fish
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Cola drinks
• Processed foods containing phosphate additives

Phosphate additives can be absorbed more readily than phosphorus naturally present in some foods.

Check ingredient lists for words containing “phos” when your clinician has advised a phosphorus restriction.

Do not remove all protein or whole foods without professional advice.

Protein

Protein supports muscle, healing, immunity, and many normal functions.

Protein also produces waste products that the kidneys help remove.

Some people with non-dialysis CKD may be advised to avoid excessive protein.

Eating too little protein can also contribute to malnutrition.

The right amount depends on kidney function, body size, age, nutrition status, and treatment.

Fluids

Not every person with kidney disease needs a fluid restriction.

A limit may be advised when urine output falls, swelling is severe, heart failure is present, or dialysis cannot remove enough fluid.

Fluid can include:

• Water
• Tea and coffee
• Milk
• Juice
• Soup
• Ice
• Gelatin
• Frozen desserts

Follow the amount given by your kidney or dialysis team.

Dialysis Nutrition Is Different

Dialysis removes waste and extra fluid when the kidneys can no longer do enough work.

Nutrition needs differ between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They can also change with laboratory results and remaining kidney function.

Hemodialysis

People receiving hemodialysis may need to monitor:

• Fluid
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Protein
• Calories

Hemodialysis can increase protein needs compared with some non-dialysis kidney diets.²

Do not continue a previous low-protein plan after starting dialysis unless your renal team confirms it.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis uses fluid placed in the abdomen to remove waste.

It can remove protein and may affect potassium differently from hemodialysis.

NIDDK notes that peritoneal dialysis can remove too much potassium in some people, so some patients may need more potassium rather than less.³

Dialysis fluid also contains glucose, which can affect blood sugar and calorie intake.

Phosphate Binders

Some dialysis patients are prescribed phosphate binders.

These medicines are usually taken with meals or snacks as directed.

Do not change the timing or dose without the kidney team.

Report Poor Intake Early

Tell your dialysis team if you have:

• Persistent nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Unplanned weight loss
• Muscle loss
• Difficulty eating
• Frequent vomiting

Kidney Stones and Food

Kidney stones are not the same as chronic kidney disease.

Different stones can form from different substances.

The right prevention plan may depend on:

• Stone type
• Urine volume
• Urine calcium
• Urine oxalate
• Urine citrate
• Urine uric acid
• Sodium intake
• Medicine
• Other medical conditions

NIDDK explains that sodium, animal protein, calcium, or oxalate changes may be advised depending on the stone type.⁴

Do Not Remove Calcium Without Advice

People with calcium oxalate stones are sometimes told to avoid all calcium.

That advice may be inappropriate.

Calcium eaten with food can bind some oxalate in the digestive tract.

Your clinician or dietitian can advise the amount and timing.

Fluids Often Matter

Many people with kidney stones are advised to drink enough fluid to produce more urine.

This advice may not apply when heart failure, advanced kidney disease, or another condition requires a fluid limit.

Oxalate Lists Are Not Universal Diet Plans

Do not remove every food that contains oxalate.

Use stone analysis, urine testing, and professional advice to guide changes.

Food and General Liver Health

The liver processes nutrients, produces important proteins, stores energy, and helps manage substances entering the body.

No special food performs these jobs for the liver.

A general liver-supportive pattern may include:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Beans and lentils
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Eggs
• Lean poultry or meat when eaten
• Tofu and other plant proteins
• Plain yogurt or suitable alternatives
• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil and other unsaturated fats
• Water and suitable unsweetened drinks

It may help to reduce:

• Sugary drinks
• Frequent large desserts
• Alcohol when it is unsafe for your diagnosis
• Deep-fried foods
• Heavily processed meats
• sizeable portions
• Unverified herbal or bodybuilding products

Do Not Use Detox Products

Detox teas, juice cleanses, fasting plans, and supplement packs do not clean the liver.

Some products may cause dehydration, diarrhea, malnutrition, medication interactions, or liver injury.

Support liver health by avoiding harmful exposures, eating enough nutritious food, and following appropriate medical care.

MASLD and Food

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is known as MASLD.

Older sources may use the term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD.

MASLD involves excess fat in the liver together with one or more metabolic risk factors.

It is often associated with:

• Overweight or obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes
• High triglycerides
• Abnormal cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Low physical activity
• Genetic factors

Use Gradual, Sustainable Weight Management

For people who have overweight or obesity, a clinician may recommend gradual weight loss.

Lifestyle changes remain a central part of MASLD care, and current AASLD educational guidance notes that weight loss can improve liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis.⁵

Rapid weight loss, severe restriction, and malnutrition can be harmful.

Use a sustainable eating and activity plan.

Food Priorities

A practical plan may include:

• Vegetables and fruit
• Beans and lentils
• Whole grains
• Suitable protein foods
• Unsaturated fats
• Water instead of sugary drinks
• Portions that support your medical and weight goals

Reduce frequent sugary drinks, excess added sugar, and routinely oversized portions.

Physical Activity

Regular activity can support blood sugar, fitness, cardiovascular health, and weight management.

Choose an amount that fits your medical condition and ability.

Alcohol and MASLD

Ask your clinician whether alcohol is safe.

The answer may depend on liver damage, medicine, other conditions, and alcohol intake.

Cirrhosis and Nutrition

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring of the liver.

It can affect digestion, nutrient storage, protein production, fluid balance, infection risk, appetite, and muscle mass.

A generic liver cleanse is especially unsafe in this situation.

Enough Food and Protein Matter

People with cirrhosis can lose muscle and become malnourished.

AASLD guidance emphasizes adequate protein and advises against routine protein restriction, including in people with hepatic encephalopathy.⁷

Do not begin a low-protein diet unless your liver team recommends it for a specific reason.

Avoid Long Fasting Periods

Some people with cirrhosis may be advised to eat smaller meals more often and include a late-evening high-protein snack.

AASLD guidance recommends minimizing long fasting periods.⁷

The exact plan should come from the liver care team.

Sodium and Fluid Retention

Cirrhosis can cause fluid buildup in the abdomen or legs.

A clinician may recommend limiting sodium.

Fluid restriction is not required for every patient and should be based on medical assessment.

Food Safety

People with cirrhosis may be more vulnerable to severe infections.

NIDDK advises avoiding raw shellfish, fish, and meat, as well as unpasteurized milk products.⁶

Avoid Alcohol Completely

NIDDK advises people with cirrhosis to stop drinking alcohol because it can cause further liver damage.⁶

Check Medicine and Supplements

A damaged liver may process medicines differently.

Ask the medical team before using pain medicine, sleep aids, herbs, protein powders, vitamins, or supplements.

Alcohol and Liver Safety

Alcohol is processed mainly by the liver.

Repeated heavy drinking can cause fatty liver, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other health problems.

The safest choice depends on your diagnosis, medicine, pregnancy status, and alcohol use history.

Complete Avoidance May Be Required

Do not drink alcohol if your liver team has advised complete avoidance.

This applies to cirrhosis and alcohol-associated liver disease and may also apply to hepatitis, pancreatitis, pregnancy, some medicines, or other conditions.

Do Not Use Red Wine as Treatment

Alcohol is not required for heart or liver health.

People who do not drink should not start because of health claims.

Seek Medical Help When Stopping Is Difficult

Suddenly stopping alcohol can be dangerous for a physically dependent person.

Seek medical advice for safe withdrawal and treatment support.

Herbs, Vitamins, Protein Powders, and Detox Products

Natural does not mean harmless.

Some supplements may affect kidney function, injure the liver, change mineral levels, or interact with medicine.

FDA warns that some bodybuilding and other products may contain undeclared or steroid-like ingredients linked with serious liver and kidney harm.⁸

Products That Need Extra Care

• High-dose vitamins A, D, E, or K
• Potassium supplements
• Magnesium supplements
• Creatine products
• Bodybuilding blends
• Weight-loss supplements
• Detox teas
• Herbal liver cleanses
• Concentrated green tea extracts
• Products with several unidentified herbs
• Protein products high in phosphorus, potassium, or sodium

Check Protein Powders

Protein powders may contain potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sweeteners, herbs, stimulants, or other ingredients.

They may not fit a kidney or liver treatment plan.

Use them only after checking the label and discussing the product with your medical team.

Tell Your Clinician Everything You Take

Bring a complete list of vitamins, herbs, powders, teas, and over-the-counter medicines to appointments.

Do not hide supplement use because the product is described as natural.

Adaptable Kidney and Liver Health Meal Ideas

These examples are for general wellness.

They are not suitable for every person with kidney or liver disease.

Potassium, phosphorus, protein, sodium, calories, and fluid may need to be adjusted.

Breakfast Ideas

• Oatmeal with berries and plain yogurt when dairy fits your plan
• Eggs with vegetables and bread
• Plain yogurt with fruit and oats when potassium and phosphorus allow
• Tofu with vegetables and bread
• Whole-grain toast with egg and fruit

Lunch Ideas

• Chicken with rice and vegetables
• Lentil soup with salad when legumes are appropriate
• Fish with potatoes and vegetables when potassium allows
• Tofu with rice and cooked vegetables
• Bean salad with bread when beans are appropriate

Dinner Ideas

• Salmon with vegetables and rice
• Chicken with whole grains and salad
• Tofu with vegetables and noodles
• Lentil curry with rice when legumes are appropriate
• Vegetable omelet with bread

Snack Ideas

• Fruit that fits your potassium plan
• Plain yogurt when phosphorus and potassium allow
• Unsalted crackers with a suitable spread
• A boiled egg
• Vegetables with hummus when legumes are appropriate

A prescribed renal or liver diet may require different portions or substitutions.

How to Read Food Labels

Check the Serving Size

All nutrient values are based on the listed serving.

Compare Sodium

Compare similar breads, soups, sauces, canned foods, snacks, and ready meals.

Review Added Sugar

Sugary drinks, desserts, cereals, flavored yogurt, and sauces may contain added sugar.

Read the Ingredient List

Look for:

• Phosphate additives when phosphorus restriction is required
• Potassium chloride when potassium restriction is required
• Multiple sodium ingredients
• Added sugars
• Herbal blends
• Alcohol-containing ingredients

Potassium and Phosphorus May Not Always Be Listed

Food labels do not always show complete potassium or phosphorus information.

A renal dietitian can help compare products.

Common Kidney and Liver Nutrition Myths

Myth: Everyone With Kidney Disease Must Avoid Potassium

Potassium needs depend on laboratory results, kidney function, medicine, and dialysis type.

Myth: A High-Protein Diet Is Best for Every Kidney Patient

Protein needs differ before and after dialysis. Too much or too little can cause problems.

Myth: Lemon Water Cleans the Kidneys

Lemon water does not clean the kidneys. Citrate may be relevant to some kidney stone plans, but it does not treat every kidney condition.

Myth: Cranberry Juice Repairs Kidney Damage

Cranberry products do not repair kidney damage. Juice can also contain added sugar and potassium.

Myth: A Liver Detox Removes Toxins

Detox drinks and supplements do not replace liver function or medical treatment.

Myth: People With Cirrhosis Should Avoid Protein

Many people with cirrhosis need adequate protein and calories to reduce muscle loss. The exact plan must be individualized.

Myth: MASLD Affects Only People With Obesity

Body weight is one risk factor. Genetics, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, medicine, and other factors may also matter.

Myth: Normal Liver Enzymes Prove the Liver Is Healthy

Laboratory results must be interpreted with medical history, imaging, risk factors, and other tests.

When Kidney or Liver Symptoms Need Medical Care

Seek urgent or prompt medical care, depending on severity, for:

• Very low urine output or inability to urinate
• Blood in urine
• Severe side or back pain
• Severe or rapidly worsening swelling
• New or severe shortness of breath
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Severe abdominal swelling
• Vomiting blood
• Black or bloody stool
• New confusion, disorientation, or unusual sleepiness
• Fainting
• Severe weakness
• Fever with abdominal pain
• Rapid unexplained weight gain that may be caused by fluid

Possible High-Potassium Emergency

Very high potassium may cause weakness, palpitations, an abnormal heart rhythm, or no obvious symptoms.

Follow urgent instructions from your kidney team when a blood result is dangerously abnormal.

Possible Liver Emergency

Confusion, vomiting blood, black stool, severe abdominal swelling, or marked sleepiness can be signs of a serious liver complication.

Seek urgent care.