Living with kidney cancer often brings changes to your daily habits, and being mindful about what you eat can support your kidney function during and after treatment, potentially improving your quality of life. If you've had a kidney removed - or if your remaining kidney isn't functioning well - eating well becomes even more important.
Your doctor or a dietitian can give you personalized recommendations for a healthy diet based on your kidney cancer stage and treatments. In the meantime, here are some general suggestions for which foods to eat and which to limit or avoid while living with kidney cancer.
Foods That Support Kidney Health and Cancer Treatment
Some healthy foods can safely become staples in your diet if you have kidney cancer. Certain foods directly support kidney function, whereas others may help you feel better during cancer treatment.
An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of people undergoing treatment for kidney cancer don’t get enough nutrients due to a poor appetite or malabsorption (difficulty absorbing nutrients from food). Your doctor or a dietitian might do a nutrition checkup to get a better idea of your needs and make specific dietary recommendations.
Here are some foods your doctor or dietitian may suggest if you’re living with kidney cancer:
Read also: Managing Stage 3 Kidney Disease with Diet
1. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and cabbage are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your body needs. These vegetables have anti-inflammatory effects, which means they help lower inflammation and support your immune system, potentially helping you heal.
Some leafy greens, such as bok choy and cooked spinach, are high in potassium, a mineral you might need to watch or limit if you have kidney cancer. The cancer or its treatments may impair your kidneys’ ability to process potassium. If your potassium is high, your doctor may recommend lower-potassium options like raw cabbage, kale, or lettuce.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about how much potassium is right for you based on your cancer stage.
2. Lean Meats and Plant-Based Protein
Your body needs protein to heal and fight infections. However, if you have kidney cancer, too much protein can put extra stress on your kidneys. Choosing lean and plant-based protein sources can reduce the burden. Good options include:
- Lentils
- Beans
- Tofu
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Fish
If you had a partial or radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer - surgery to remove some or all of your kidney - ask your doctor or a dietitian for guidelines on protein intake. If you’re on dialysis (machine-assisted blood-filtering), you may need more protein to make up for what’s lost during this treatment.
Read also: A Review of the Mediterranean Diet in Kidney Disease
3. Whole Grains
Whole-grain carbohydrates include foods such as oats, brown rice, popcorn, and whole wheat bread. These healthy options supply more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than other carbohydrate sources like white bread or sugary foods. Fiber supports regular digestion and may help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
A study found that people who ate plenty of fiber-rich whole grains were 16 percent less likely to have renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer. The same study found that eating refined grains like white rice and white bread was connected to an increased risk of kidney cancer.
4. Berries
Fruits and vegetables generally provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, but berries are a particularly good choice if you have kidney cancer. Cranberries and strawberries are low in potassium, and deeply hued blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants - natural substances that protect your cells from damage. Antioxidants and other chemicals in berries can help slow cancer growth, reduce inflammation, and support healing.
5. Water
Staying hydrated is important if you have kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, or other kidney problems. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids helps your kidneys flush waste from your body and prevents dehydration.
Many healthcare specialists recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. However, your needs might be different if you’ve had kidney cancer surgery or if fluid builds up in your body. Drinking too much water may overwork a partial or unhealthy kidney.
Read also: Nutrition and stage 2 CKD
You’re not limited to water - herbal tea and low-sugar fruit juices can also help keep you hydrated. Just be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if any herbal teas might interfere with your medications or treatments.
Foods To Limit or Avoid With Kidney Cancer
Some foods can make it harder for your kidneys to work well or may raise your risk of other health problems. If you have kidney cancer, your doctor or dietitian may recommend limiting or avoiding certain foods and beverages.
1. Processed and Red Meats
Red meats (like beef and pork) and processed meats (such as hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats) can be harder for your body to digest. They’re also high in saturated fats, which can increase cholesterol levels and put extra stress on your heart and kidneys.
Some research suggests that eating too many red and processed meats can increase the risk of RCC. If you have kidney cancer, try to choose lean meats (like turkey and chicken) and plant-based proteins (like beans, lentils, and tofu). Healthier fats, like the kind found in fish, nuts, and olive oil, can help reduce inflammation and support heart health.
2. High-Potassium Foods
Your doctor or dietitian might advise you to eat less potassium because your kidneys may not filter out potassium as well as they should. Potassium is an important nutrient that helps your muscles and bones stay strong, but too much of this mineral can be harmful.
When potassium builds up in your blood, it can lead to hyperkalemia - a condition that can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, nausea, or even serious heart problems. To help lower your risk of hyperkalemia, cut back on high-potassium foods such as:
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Raisins and other dried fruits
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Artichokes
Many highly processed foods have high levels of potassium - check the Nutrition Facts label and ingredient list for potassium additives.
3. Sweet Treats and Sugary Drinks
If you have a sweet tooth, you might have to cut back on sugary treats like candies, pastries, regular soda, and many types of fruit juice. Although one study didn’t find a direct link between sugary drinks and kidney cancer, excess sugar can lead to weight gain - and being overweight is a known risk factor for kidney cancer. It can also raise your risk of diabetes, which is a risk factor for RCC.
Blood sugar control is important for preventing more damage to your kidneys. Try to limit added sugars and aim for balanced portions of carbohydrate-rich foods throughout the day.
4. High-Phosphorus Foods
Phosphorus is a mineral your body needs to keep your bones strong and your cells working well, but too much can cause problems. If you have kidney cancer, your kidneys might have trouble removing extra phosphorus from your blood.
Your doctor or dietitian may suggest eating less phosphorus to protect your kidneys. High-phosphorus foods include:
- Dairy products like milk and cheese
- Baked goods
- Dark-colored sodas
- Highly processed foods
To spot hidden sources of phosphorus, check food labels or ingredients like phosphoric acid and sodium phosphate.
5. Alcohol
If you have kidney cancer, it’s best to avoid or limit alcohol. Although some research suggests that small amounts of alcohol might lower your risk, there’s also plenty of evidence that alcohol can do the opposite and increase your chances of kidney cancer.
Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration and interfere with how your body processes medications, including some kidney cancer treatments. Plus, alcohol can worsen chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and mouth sores. To help your treatment work its best and protect your health, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you.
Managing Treatment Side Effects Through Diet
Unfortunately, many kidney cancer treatments, particularly systemic treatments - prescription pills or intravenous infusions, such as targeted therapy, designed to reach cancer cells throughout the body - can lead to nausea or gastrointestinal problems. These side effects can interfere with your ability to eat and process food normally.
Because there can be a variety of eating issues associated with kidney cancer treatments, it’s a good idea to work with a registered dietitian or nutritionist to create a plan that’s best for you. A nutrition expert can help you identify strategies to avoid malnutrition or excessive weight loss and find the right diet to maintain your strength, keep your bones and body healthy, and decrease the side effects of your treatment.
Here are some problems you may face, along with potential solutions:
Poor Appetite
Kidney cancer treatment can wipe out your appetite, but you still need to eat. To make sure you get the nutrition you need, try these diet tips:
- Have five or six small meals during the day instead of three large ones.
- Keep small snacks handy for when you feel like eating.
- Eat as much as you can when your appetite is strongest, usually early in the morning.
- Focus on the foods you can eat without difficulty, even if there are only a couple of them.
- Drink a shake or a smoothie if a full meal is unappealing.
- Eat small snacks at bedtime.
Nausea
Lots of different things can nauseate you during kidney cancer treatment. To avoid it, you might:
- Choose bland foods, such as white toast, plain yogurt, and clear broth, and avoid spicy, sour, or acidic foods.
- Eat foods that are room temperature, rather than cold or hot.
- Limit the number of beverages you consume with meals, and instead get your fluids in between meals - and take smaller sips.
- Make sure you don’t skip meals and snacks. An empty stomach is more likely to make you feel nauseous.
- Avoid your most loved foods while you are nauseated. Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you try to eat your favorite foods when you are sick, you may develop an aversion to them.
Diarrhea
People may have frequent bowel movements during treatment. Treatments may cause food to pass too quickly through a person’s bowels for their body to absorb nutrients. A person with cancer needs to inform their care team if they experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The care team may be able to recommend medications to help manage the side effects of cancer treatment.
Some ways to manage diarrhea and related side effects include:
- Consuming foods and drinks that are high in sodium and potassium to replace losses.
- Eating foods that are low in fiber.
- Avoiding sugary, greasy, spicy, or fried foods.
- Avoiding foods and drinks that can cause gas.
- Avoiding drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
- Eating food and drinking liquids at room temperature.
Weakness
Kidney cancer treatment can rob you of energy. To make sure you eat enough despite fatigue and weakness, you should:
- Stock up on foods that are easily prepared, such as canned soups - your doctor may prefer that you purchase low-sodium varieties - frozen dinners, and precooked meals.
- Cook meals ahead of time, when you’re feeling well, and freeze them for later.
- Ask friends, prior to treatment, to help you shop and cook when you’re not feeling well later on.
- Plan for foods that come in thick liquid (milkshakes) or semisolid (mashed potatoes) form for when you are too weak to chew properly.
- Get groceries delivered to your home if going shopping is not feasible.
Mouth Sores
It’s common for kidney cancer patients who are being treated with targeted drugs and immunotherapy to experience inflammation, irritation, and ulceration of the mouth, esophagus, and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. If you’re having trouble eating due to these issues, you should:
- Choose nutrient-dense, soft, moist, easy-to-chew foods.
- Avoid acidic foods, alcohol, and spicy foods.
- Choose foods that are not too cold or too hot.
- Practice good oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush.
- Talk to your doctor about using pain meds or a topical analgesic mouth rinse before meals.
Increased Risk of Infection
Certain cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, or even the cancer itself can ravage the immune system and leave you open to infection, according to the ACS. You should:
- Thoroughly wash and scrub fruits and vegetables.
- Wash your hands, clean knives, and scrub down countertops before and after you prepare food, especially raw meat.
- Keep cooked and raw foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use a different cutting board and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
- Fully cook meats, poultry, and eggs. Meat should have no pink; eggs should not be runny.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator immediately after eating.
- Drink only pasteurized milk or fruit juice.
- Avoid uncooked shellfish or raw fish.
- Pass on any foods that show signs of mold, including moldy cheeses such as blue cheese.
- Pay attention to freshness dates and don’t eat expired foods.
Other Important Dietary Considerations
- If you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, be sure to sip small amounts of water or broth (per your doctor’s recommendations) throughout the day to replenish lost fluid.
- Kidney cancer treatments such as immunotherapy medications and targeted therapy drugs can increase your risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Limit sodium if blood pressure is a concern, but don’t eliminate it entirely.
- Understanding creatinine, eGFR, and potassium levels helps guide dietary choices.
The Role of a Dietitian
Scientists are still investigating diets for people with kidney cancer. However, eating or avoiding certain foods may benefit a person with a kidney cancer diagnosis. Some eating tips may also help people manage treatment side effects.
A doctor may also refer a person with a recent kidney cancer diagnosis to a dietitian. The dietitian can help them create an eating plan to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.
Dietitians are nutrition and diet experts. They can help people with dietary questions before and after cancer treatment. Dietitians can also help people with cancer plan their diet after a kidney cancer diagnosis and during treatment, ensuring they get enough essential nutrients and helping them create a suitable eating plan with foods to eat and avoid.
Meeting with a dietitian is a service covered by Medicare and may also be covered by other types of insurance. You may need to call your insurance provider to see if your plan covers meeting with a dietitian.
Nutrients to Manage in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
People with CKD may need to control the amount or type of one or more nutrients:
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Protein
Eating the right amount or type of one or more of these nutrients may help control the buildup of waste and fluid in your blood. This means your kidneys do not have to work as hard to remove the extra waste and fluid. If your kidney disease gets worse, you may need to limit other nutrients as well. Your dietitian or healthcare provider will tell you if you need to do this based on your blood test results.
Sodium
Healthy kidneys control how much sodium is in your body. If your kidneys do not work well, too much sodium can cause fluid buildup, swelling, higher blood pressure, and strain on your heart. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you the right amount of sodium you should have each day. Limit foods high in salt, such as cured and canned meat, poultry, and fish, salted popcorn, and potato chips.
Potassium
Potassium is important for muscle function, including the heart muscle. Too much or too little potassium in the blood can be very dangerous. The amount of potassium you need is based on how well your kidneys are working and your medications. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you about foods with potassium and the right amount for you to eat each day. Some high-potassium foods include milk, meat, bananas, oranges and orange juice, cantaloupe, dried fruits, winter squash and salt substitutes.
Phosphorus
As kidney function gets lower, extra phosphorus can start building up in the blood. High phosphorus levels can cause bones to get weaker. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you if you need to limit goods that are high in phosphorus. High phosphorus foods include dairy products, organ meats, colas, deli meats, and processed foods with phosphate additives.
Calcium
Foods that are good sources of calcium are often high in phosphorus. Your dietitian or healthcare provider will tell you if you need to limit calcium. Before taking any over-the-counter vitamin D or calcium supplements, talk to your healthcare provider.
Protein
Your body needs protein to help build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection. Plant-based protein like beans and nuts are easier on the kidneys than animal proteins like meat and dairy products. Having very large amounts of protein, especially in the form of unnecessary supplements, can be stressful on the kidneys. But if protein intake is too low, you can lose muscle mass, become weak, and increase the body’s acid load, so it is important to eat the right amount each day.
Fluids
Most people in the early stages of kidney disease do not need to limit how much fluid they drink. If your kidney disease worsens, your dietitian or healthcare provider can let you know if you need to limit fluids and how much to drink each day. Fluids may need to be limited based on how much urine you make each day, and if fluid build-up in your body is causing swelling or stress on your heart or lungs.
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