Finding the right diet for chronic kidney disease stage 3 can be confusing. Many people hear that they need to avoid certain foods, but CKD nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all plan.

Stage 3 chronic kidney disease generally means that kidney function has declined to a moderate level. At this stage, dietary choices can become increasingly important because the kidneys may have more difficulty maintaining the body’s balance of fluids, minerals, and waste products.

A kidney-friendly eating pattern usually focuses on eating nutritious foods, reducing excessive sodium, choosing appropriate amounts of protein, and limiting highly processed foods. Potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake may also need adjustment, but these restrictions should be based on laboratory results and individual medical needs.

Current KDIGO guidance recommends a healthy and diverse diet with a greater proportion of plant-based foods and fewer ultra-processed foods. It also recommends individualized nutrition advice from a renal dietitian when dietary changes involving sodium, phosphorus, potassium, or protein are needed.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have stage 3 CKD, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet.

What Is Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease?

Stage 3 CKD is generally divided into two categories:

• Stage 3a: eGFR approximately 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m²
• Stage 3b: eGFR approximately 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m²

As kidney function declines, the kidneys may become less effective at filtering waste and regulating substances such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

However, two people with the same CKD stage can have very different nutritional needs.

Your diet may depend on:

• Kidney function
• Blood potassium levels
• Blood phosphorus levels
• Blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Medications
• Protein intake
• Nutritional status
• Other health conditions

For this reason, a personalized diet is generally more appropriate than following a generic list of foods to avoid.

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What Should You Eat With Stage 3 CKD?

The foundation of a healthy diet for chronic kidney disease stage 3 is a balanced eating pattern based primarily on nutritious, minimally processed foods.

Depending on your individual nutritional requirements, meals may include:

• Fresh or frozen vegetables
• Appropriate portions of fruit
• Whole or minimally processed grains
• Fish
• Lean poultry
• Eggs
• Tofu and other plant proteins
• Healthy unsaturated fats
• Lower-sodium foods

KDIGO recommends a healthy and diverse diet with more plant-based foods than animal-based foods and fewer ultra-processed foods.

The goal is not to eliminate as many foods as possible. Instead, the goal is to create a balanced eating pattern that provides adequate calories and nutrients while addressing your individual CKD-related needs.

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1. Reduce Sodium

Reducing excessive sodium is one of the most important components of a CKD-friendly diet.

Sodium can cause the body to retain fluid and can contribute to higher blood pressure. Managing sodium intake may therefore be particularly important for people with CKD and high blood pressure.

KDIGO suggests a sodium intake of less than 2 grams per day for people with CKD, equivalent to less than 5 grams of salt per day. Individual recommendations may differ depending on a person’s medical circumstances.

Common high-sodium foods include:

• Processed meats
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Canned soups
• Instant noodles
• Fast food
• Salty chips
• Packaged sauces
• Soy sauce
• Processed frozen meals

Instead of relying on salt, try flavoring meals with:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Fresh herbs
• Black pepper
• Salt-free seasonings

NIDDK notes that much of the sodium people consume comes from packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods. Reading Nutrition Facts labels can therefore be an important part of managing sodium intake.

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2. Get the Right Amount of Protein

Protein is essential for maintaining muscles and supporting normal body functions. However, very high protein intake may not be appropriate for people with CKD.

When protein is metabolized, it produces waste products that the kidneys must remove.

For adults with CKD stages G3–G5, KDIGO suggests maintaining protein intake around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, while avoiding high protein intake above 1.3 g/kg/day in adults at risk of CKD progression.

This does not mean that people with stage 3 CKD should stop eating protein.

Instead, focus on appropriate portions and nutritious protein sources.

Potential choices include:

• Fish
• Skinless chicken
• Eggs
• Tofu
• Beans and legumes when appropriate
• Other plant-based proteins

Your protein needs should be individualized. Someone who is undernourished, very physically active, older and frail, or experiencing another medical condition may have different nutritional requirements.

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3. Eat More Plant-Based Foods

Plant-based foods can play an important role in a healthy CKD eating pattern.

Vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds provide fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Examples of foods that may fit into a CKD-friendly eating pattern include:

• Apples
• Berries
• Grapes
• Peaches
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Bell peppers
• Cucumber
• Lettuce

However, potassium and phosphorus content still needs to be considered for some people.

The important point is that CKD does not automatically mean every fruit and vegetable must be eliminated.

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4. Monitor Potassium Based on Your Blood Tests

Potassium is an essential mineral involved in muscle and nerve function.

As CKD progresses, some people have difficulty maintaining normal potassium levels. However, not everyone with stage 3 CKD needs a strict low-potassium diet.

NIDDK recommends working with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate potassium intake based on blood potassium levels and individual circumstances.

If your potassium level is normal, unnecessarily eliminating many fruits and vegetables may reduce the nutritional quality of your diet.

If your potassium level is elevated, your healthcare professional may recommend:

• Smaller portions of high-potassium foods
• Choosing lower-potassium alternatives
• Avoiding potassium chloride in some packaged foods
• Adjusting food preparation methods
• Reviewing medications that may affect potassium

Do not start a strict potassium-restricted diet without medical guidance.

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5. Pay Attention to Phosphorus

Phosphorus helps maintain healthy bones and supports several important processes in the body.

When kidney function decreases, phosphorus can sometimes accumulate in the blood.

However, phosphorus needs are individualized.

One practical approach when phosphorus restriction is recommended is to reduce processed foods containing phosphorus additives.

When reading ingredient labels, look for ingredients containing “PHOS.”

Examples include:

• Phosphoric acid
• Disodium phosphate
• Monosodium phosphate
• Sodium phosphate

NIDDK notes that phosphorus additives can contribute substantially to phosphorus intake and recommends checking ingredient lists when phosphorus management is needed.

A renal dietitian can help you reduce phosphorus without unnecessarily eliminating nutritious foods.

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6. Choose Healthy Fats

People with CKD also benefit from paying attention to cardiovascular health.

NIDDK recommends choosing healthier unsaturated fats while limiting saturated and trans fats.

Potential sources of healthier fats include:

• Olive oil
• Unsaturated vegetable oils
• Certain fish
• Appropriate portions of nuts and seeds

Instead of frequently eating foods high in saturated fat, try preparing meals with healthier cooking oils and minimally processed ingredients.

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7. Limit Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods can make CKD nutrition more difficult because they may contain large amounts of sodium, added sugars, unhealthy fats, and phosphorus additives.

Examples include:

• Processed meats
• Fast food
• Instant noodles
• Packaged snack foods
• Some frozen meals
• Sugary drinks
• Highly processed sauces

Cooking at home can make it easier to control the amount of salt and other ingredients in your meals.

A simple strategy is to replace some packaged foods with fresh or minimally processed alternatives.

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Sample Diet for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3

The following is an example, not a personalized medical diet.

Breakfast

• Oatmeal
• Berries or apple slices
• An appropriate protein source
• Unsweetened tea or another suitable beverage

Lunch

• Grilled chicken or tofu
• Rice or another appropriate grain
• Cabbage and cucumber salad
• Homemade low-sodium dressing

Afternoon Snack

• Apple or berries
• An appropriate unsalted snack

Dinner

• Baked fish
• Rice or another suitable starch
• Steamed vegetables
• Olive oil and herbs for flavor

Evening Snack

If you need an evening snack, choose something that fits your calorie, protein, potassium, and phosphorus requirements.

Remember that this sample meal plan does not account for individual laboratory results.

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Foods to Limit With Stage 3 CKD

Instead of thinking about foods as completely forbidden, consider which foods should be eaten less often or in smaller portions.

Common foods to limit include:

• Processed meats
• Fast food
• Instant noodles
• Salty chips
• Canned foods with added sodium
• Highly processed frozen meals
• Sugary drinks
• Foods containing phosphorus additives when phosphorus restriction is necessary
• Excessive amounts of protein

Your healthcare professional may recommend additional restrictions depending on your blood tests and other conditions.

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What About Water and Fluids?

A common misconception is that everyone with CKD should drink very large amounts of water to “flush” the kidneys.

There is no universal fluid target that applies to every person with stage 3 CKD.

NIDDK explains that people with CKD may need to adjust fluid intake depending on kidney function and individual circumstances.

Some people may need to limit fluids, while others may not.

Follow the fluid recommendations provided by your healthcare professional rather than intentionally drinking excessive amounts of water.

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How to Make a Stage 3 CKD Diet Easier

Healthy eating becomes easier when you have a simple meal-planning system.

Before grocery shopping:

1. Plan several meals for the week.
2. Make a shopping list.
3. Choose mostly fresh or minimally processed ingredients.
4. Check sodium levels on packaged foods.
5. Look for phosphorus additives when phosphorus restriction is required.
6. Choose appropriate portions of protein.
7. Prepare meals at home when possible.

You can also cook larger batches of kidney-conscious meals and store individual portions for later.

This can reduce the temptation to rely on fast food or highly processed convenience meals.

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Kidney-Friendly Cookbook Resource

If you want additional recipe ideas for planning lower-sodium, kidney-conscious meals, a specialized cookbook can be a convenient source of meal inspiration.

Recommended resource:

Kidney-Friendly Cookbook – View on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure: CKDOnline.org may earn a commission if you purchase through an affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.

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Additional CKD Support Resource

Diet is only one part of managing chronic kidney disease. Some people may also want additional educational resources about kidney health, nutrition, and lifestyle.

Learn more:

Learn More About a CKD Support Program

Affiliate Disclosure: This is an affiliate link. CKDOnline.org may receive a commission if you make a purchase through this link. This resource is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good diet for chronic kidney disease stage 3?

A good diet generally emphasizes minimally processed foods, lower sodium intake, appropriate protein portions, healthy fats, and a variety of nutritious plant foods. Potassium and phosphorus should be adjusted according to individual laboratory results and medical advice.

Can I eat fruit with stage 3 CKD?

Many people with stage 3 CKD can eat fruit. However, if your blood potassium is elevated, your healthcare professional may recommend limiting certain fruits or adjusting portion sizes.

Should I avoid protein with stage 3 CKD?

No. Protein is essential. However, excessive protein intake may not be appropriate. KDIGO suggests approximately 0.8 g/kg/day for adults with CKD G3–G5, with individualization according to nutritional and medical needs.

Do I need a low-potassium diet?

Not necessarily. Potassium restriction should generally be based on your blood potassium level and individual circumstances rather than your CKD stage alone.

Should I avoid phosphorus?

Not automatically. Your phosphorus level, kidney function, diet, and healthcare professional’s recommendations should determine whether phosphorus restriction is necessary.

How much sodium should I eat with stage 3 CKD?

KDIGO suggests less than 2 grams of sodium per day for people with CKD, although individual recommendations can differ.

Should I drink more water with stage 3 CKD?

Not necessarily. Fluid needs vary between people with CKD. Ask your healthcare professional whether you need a specific fluid target or restriction.

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Final Thoughts

Following a diet for chronic kidney disease stage 3 does not mean eliminating every food that contains potassium, phosphorus, or protein.

Instead, the goal is to create a balanced and sustainable eating pattern that supports overall health while taking your kidney function and laboratory results into account.

Focus on reducing excessive sodium, eating fewer ultra-processed foods, choosing appropriate portions of protein, including nutritious plant-based foods, and selecting healthier fats.

Potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake should be individualized rather than restricted automatically.

Most importantly, CKD nutrition should evolve as your health changes. Regular monitoring of kidney function and blood tests can help your healthcare team determine whether your dietary needs have changed.

A registered renal dietitian can also help you create a personalized meal plan that fits your medical needs, food preferences, culture, and lifestyle.

The best CKD diet is not necessarily the most restrictive diet—it is the one that provides adequate nutrition while addressing your individual kidney-health needs.