Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks
Get free kidney-friendly recipe collections from DaVita dietitians.
Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks
Get free kidney-friendly recipe collections from DaVita dietitians.
Join the myDaVita community to connect with others, get kidney diet tools and more.
Register for FreeDietary fiber is defined as the component of carbohydrate that cannot be digested by enzymes in the human small intestine. Fiber provides structure for plant cells. It’s found in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts. Unlike fats, carbohydrates and proteins, fiber cannot be broken down or absorbed when passing through your digestive system.
Your body needs two types of fiber. One type is soluble fiber which dissolves in water and absorbs fluid as it passes through the digestive system, creating softer, larger stools. Food sources of soluble fiber include oat bran, apples, oranges, berries and various vegetables. Supplements such as Metamucil, Citrucel and Fiberall are also considered soluble fiber.
The other type is insoluble fiber (roughage). It absorbs water and makes stool bulkier to help bowel movements pass more easily. Examples of insoluble fiber foods are barley, corn, rice, bran, whole wheat, vegetables and apple and pear skins.
Adequate fiber in the kidney diet can be beneficial to people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because it:
The average American diet contains 5 to 15 grams of fiber a day, which is below the 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume, as recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. The Food and Nutrition Board suggests 25 grams of fiber a day for women and 38 grams of fiber a day for men under the age of 50. For people over age 50, women should get 21 grams of fiber a day and men should get 30 grams of fiber a day in their diet. If you’re following a low potassium, low phosphorus plan, fiber intake may be more difficult to include in your kidney diet.
Many people with CKD don’t get enough fiber, because many fiber sources are too high in potassium and phosphorus. Increasing your fiber intake, can cause gas, bloating and cramps. Talk to your dietitian about gradually increasing fiber and adjusting fluid intake.
These are the best high fiber foods for people with CKD:
Apple, unpeeled |
Figs |
Apricot |
Fruit cocktail |
Asparagus |
Grapefruit |
Beets |
Grape-Nut Flakes |
Berries |
Green beans |
Broccoli |
Green peas |
Brussels sprouts |
High-fiber white bread |
Cabbage, raw |
Lettuce |
Carrots |
Mustard greens, cooked |
Cauliflower |
Okra |
Celery |
Onion |
Cherries |
Peach |
Collard greens |
Pear, unpeeled |
Corn |
Plums |
Pineapple, raw |
Summer squash |
Eggplant |
Tangerines |
Sometimes fiber is not enough to relieve constipation, as the amount of fiber varies from person to person. Increasing your physical activity, taking a doctor-recommended laxative or drinking warm beverage can help ease constipation.
Recipe | Fiber per serving |
---|---|
6.3 grams |
|
4.3 grams |
|
4.8 grams |
|
4.0 grams |
|
4.0 grams |
|
3.9 grams |
|
3.9 grams |
|
3.8 grams |
|
3.8 grams |
|
3.6 grams |
|
3.5 grams |
|
3.4 grams |
See kidney-friendly food and drink choices to consider when eating out at your favorite restaurants. Choose from 12 cuisine types.