A kidney-friendly diet focuses on reducing the workload on your kidneys while maintaining good overall nutrition. Here's a healthy 7-day meal plan designed to support kidney health. This plan is low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium, and includes moderate protein, which is ideal for people with or at risk of kidney disease.<br /><br />✅ General Guidelines:<br /> • Limit sodium: Choose fresh or homemade meals over processed foods.<br /> • Watch potassium and phosphorus: Avoid high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes; limit dairy and nuts.<br /> • Moderate protein: Don't overdo it—use small portions of lean meats or plant-based proteins.<br /> • Stay hydrated: Unless on fluid restriction, drink plenty of water.<br /> • Control blood sugar: Important if you have diabetes or prediabetes.<br /><br />🗓️ 7-Day Kidney-Friendly Meal Plan<br />Day 1<br />Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries and almond milk (unsweetened)<br />Lunch: Chicken salad with romaine lettuce, cucumber, olive oil & lemon dressing<br />Snack: Unsalted rice cakes with apple slices<br />Dinner: Grilled tilapia, white rice, sautéed green beans<br />Day 2<br />Breakfast: Scrambled egg whites, whole grain toast, pear<br />Lunch: Turkey sandwich (low sodium turkey) on white bread with lettuce<br />Snack: Unsweetened applesauce<br />Dinner: Baked chicken breast, couscous, steamed carrots<br />Day 3<br />Breakfast: Low-potassium smoothie (blueberries, rice milk, flaxseed)<br />Lunch: Tuna salad (low sodium) in lettuce wraps<br />Snack: Air-popped popcorn (unsalted)<br />Dinner: Stir-fried tofu with white rice and bok choy<br />Day 4<br />Breakfast: Cream of wheat with strawberries<br />Lunch: Egg salad sandwich (low sodium mayo) on white bread<br />Snack: Rice crackers with a bit of honey<br />Dinner: Grilled salmon, mashed cauliflower, steamed zucchini<br />Day 5<br />Breakfast: Pancakes (low sodium mix) with maple syrup, blueberries<br />Lunch: Quinoa salad with cucumbers and lemon vinaigrette<br />Snack: Pineapple chunks (fresh or canned in juice)<br />Dinner: Roast chicken, white pasta with olive oil, green beans<br />Day 6<br />Breakfast: English muffin with a poached egg<br />Lunch: Low-sodium vegetable soup, white bread<br />Snack: Sliced peaches (canned in juice, drained)<br />Dinner: Ground turkey and rice stuffed bell peppers (limit tomato)<br />Day 7<br />Breakfast: Rice cereal with almond milk and raspberries<br />Lunch: Hummus with pita bread and cucumber slices<br />Snack: Small handful of unsalted pretzels<br />Dinner: Grilled shrimp, angel hair pasta, sautéed kale (light portion)<br /><br />🥤 Tips<br /> • Limit dairy to 1 serving/day to avoid too much phosphorus.<br /> • Use herbs and spices instead of salt.<br /> • Always check with your nephrologist or dietitian, especially if you're on dialysis or have specific lab results to consider.<br /><br /><br /><br />د. بشار هادي شعلان<br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first university in Iraq