Suggested Diet for Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is said to be one of the most common kidney diseases according to the American Kidney Foundation. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder in which many fluid-filled sacs (cysts) form in both kidneys. It is also one of the most life-threatening genetic disorders since it is caused by one specific gene. Although kidneys usually are the most severely affected organs, polycystic kidney disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body. The disease causes a variety of serious complications.

A properly mapped PKD diet should be followed, which can help postpone the onset of the disease at an earlier age. If you suspect that you may be carrying the gene of this disease, it would be safer to suggest that starting with a healthy renal diet would be the best option.

Proteins take longer for the kidney to process. Once it's done, the waste product produced is called urea. It is the kidney's basic function to help remove the urea from the body. Therefore larger the total amount of proteins produced by the liver, causes larger quantities of urea to be produced. The goal should be to reduce the total consumption of proteins. According to the USDA's analysis the total Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of proteins is equal to 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight which is about 0.4 grams of protein per pound.

Avoid eating all types of meat and chicken as they have high protein contents. That includes having less legumes, groundnuts, corn as well as certain beans that have high protein content such as lentils and chickpeas. Avocado and olive oil should be consumed as they contain healthy fats that are much-needed. Also add more high fiber vegetables and fruits into your diet such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, pomegranate, papaya as well as bananas. Grains help in compensating for the loss in calories and are excellent for people suffering from this disease.

Although moderate alcohol intake can be OK in healthier patients, drinks should be limited to two per day for men and one per day for women. Instead, try spritzers made with cranberry, apple or grape juice mixed with mineral water or sodium-free seltzer.


Remember to have water at regular intervals, even if you are not thirsty. Water helps flush out the toxins and urea that may be getting collected in the kidneys. A well-balanced low protein diet can help prevent this disease from occurring as well as prevent it from getting worse if it has already been diagnosed. This diet has helped people avoid dialysis for many years.


Proteins take longer for the kidney to process. Once it's done, the waste product produced is called urea. It is the kidney's basic function to help remove the urea from the body. Therefore larger the total amount of proteins produced by the liver, causes larger quantities of urea to be produced. The goal should be to reduce the total consumption of proteins. According to the USDA's analysis the total Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of proteins is equal to 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight which is about 0.4 grams of protein per pound.

Avoid eating all types of meat and chicken as they have high protein contents. That includes having less legumes, groundnuts, corn as well as certain beans that have high protein content such as lentils and chickpeas. Avocado and olive oil should be consumed as they contain healthy fats that are much-needed. Also add more high fiber vegetables and fruits into your diet such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, pomegranate, papaya as well as bananas. Grains help in compensating for the loss in calories and are excellent for people suffering from this disease.

Though there is one exception when it comes to proteins. Soya is one type of protein that is believed to be excellent for keeping this disease under control. Only fermented soy must be consumed, as it has some side effects. Fermented soy such as miso, tofu and tempeh should become an inseparable part of your renal diet.