Diet for Preventing Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, refers to the kidney damage caused by long term unwell controlled high blood sugar. In face, the diabetic kidney disease can be prevented by diabetes patients if they take early prevention, and diet plays an important role in diabetes patients, which can prevent kidney damage for patients.

Arranging a reasonable diet for diabetics will help to reduce the morbidity of Diabetic Nephropathy which is a refractory disease. the followings are the common principles that diabetics should follow if they want to prevent Diabetic Nephropathy.

1. Blood glucose control

The continuous rising of blood glucose will induce the disorders of fats and cholesterol metabolism. It also impels the thickening and sclerosis degeneration of glomerulus and renal capillary inner membrance. So try to limit the intake of calories, keep taking oral hypoglyceimic agents and try to avoid glycemic fluctuation caused by emotions, infections, etc.

2. Salt

In order to protect kidney and reduce its work load, diabetic patients should take in less salt within 7g/d. If patients have symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, they should injest some salt rather than limit it.

3. Potassium

If the daily urine volume is over 1000 ml and potassium volume is at normal level, patients don′t have to limit their intake of potassium and they can generally choose food vegetables and fruits freely. Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy are easier to have acidosis and hyperkalemia which can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and hepatic coma, so patients should limit the intake of drinks and fruits containing potassium.

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4. Protein

Protein intake should be controlled within 0.6-0.8g/d?kg of body weight. It is better to take fish and lean meat for vegetable protein is difficult to be absorbed. But milk protein is the best choice, and egg protein takes the second place.

5. Vitamins and trace elements

Patients should take in enough vitamins and trace elements, especially VB, VC, zinc, calcium, and iron, which can protect kidney.

Patients should also concern the intake of calcium and phosphonium. When kidney is damaged, phosphonium in blood will increase. And reduction of their ability to synthesise VD3 affects the calcium absorption. The concentration of calcium in the blood reduces which lead to osteoporosis. So the ideal diet is to take foods containing high calcium but low phosphonium.

6. Calories

When taking low protein diet, calories must be supplied sufficiently to meet the basic need of living. Patients should take in 30-35kj/kg of body weight to keep the balance. Some staple food containing high calories and low protein can be the choice for patients.

7. Water

Keep the in and out liquid balance of patients is also very important. At the uremic stage in end-stage of renal disease may appear the symptom of less urine or even no urine, then water intake is very important.

Drinking too much water will add the burden to the kidney, leading to deterioration of his condition, so daily intake of the fluid amount equals to urine output amount of the day before plus 500 ml. When patients has symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, they should be take in more liquid so the patient still need to know the water content of the food and make ends meet.


Above are some of the diet suggestions for diabetes patients to prevent the diabetic nephropathy. If you still have any questions after reading, or you want to get more information about the diet suggestions and treatment for diabetic kidney disease patients, you can send e-mail to chinakidneyhospital@gmail.com, or you can also contact with our whatsapp +8613633219293