Nutrition plays a powerful role in managing these two conditions. In the earlier stages of chronic kidney disease, your diet can help slow the progression of kidney damage. Limiting sodium helps control blood pressure and reduce fluid buildup. Monitoring potassium and phosphorus levels may also be important, depending on your lab results. And just as critical is keeping your blood sugar within a healthy range to prevent further harm to the kidneys.
At first, following a diabetes and kidney disease diet can be overwhelming and it may seem like you’re being asked to follow two different meal plans at once. But you’ll find that many diabetes and kidney disease diet recipes naturally overlap so it’s not as hard as you think. With thoughtful ingredient choices and simple adjustments, you can build meals that support both conditions without sacrificing flavor.
Many non-diabetes and kidney disease diet recipes can also be made more kidney-friendly with small adjustments. For example, choosing fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned varieties can create lower sodium meals. Using herbs and spices instead of salt boosts flavor without stressing your kidneys. Balancing carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats can help prevent blood sugar spikes.
Below, you’ll find a collection of healthy recipes for diabetes and kidney disease that are designed to support steady blood sugar and kidney health. These recipes have been developed by our team of chefs and registered dietitians to focus on balanced nutrition, smart sodium control, and ingredients that are easier on the kidneys while never sacrificing flavor.
