Information about healthy eating is just as important if you have a kidney condition and you can read more about this here.  Don't take multi-vitamins unless advised to by your team.

There are a few additional things to consider when you have a kidney condition, you team will be able to tell you more but do ask them if you have any questions or concerns.

Food

Some foods can interact with your kidney medications, your medical team will make you aware of these.  The following food and food groups sometimes need adjusting when you have a kidney condition:

• Protein - foods high in protein include meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, lentils, beans, Quorn and tofu. These foods are important for maintaining your strength, repairing muscles, healing wounds and fighting infection. When we eat protein there is some left over waste called 'urea'. The kidneys help remove the urea by passing it out in the urine. When the kidneys are not working well, urea can build up in the bloodstream.  A high blood urea level can make you feel unwell and so you may need to cut back on protein. Don't reduce protein in your diet unless you have been advised to by a doctor or dietitian.
• Salt - Salt impacts on blood pressure so is important to consider, eating less salt can improve your blood pressure and slow down worsening of your kidney function. Salty foods make you thirsty, so if you have been asked to drink less, cutting down on salt can help.  Most of the salt we eat comes from pre-prepared or takeaway foods, there is more information on the impact of salt when you have a kidney condition in the videos here. Salt substitutes such as LoSalt, Saxa So Low and Solo are not recommended for people with a kidney condition. If you have a condition that is 'salt losing' then you do not need to reduce your salt intake. Your doctor or dietitian can advise you on this.
• Potassium - Not all people with a kidney condition need to follow a low potassium diet.  It will depend on your blood potassium levels and kidney function.  Don't reduce potassium in your diet unless you have been advised to by a doctor or dietitian. 
• Phosphate - Not all people with a kidney condition need to follow a low phosphate diet. This will depend on your blood phosphate levels and kidney function.  You don't need to reduce phosphate in your diet unless you have been advised to; however, lots of 'processed' or pre-prepared foods now contain 'artificial' phosphate as it is used to make the food last longer. There are some studies that suggest reducing this type of phosphate is a benefit to all people with a kidney condition, even if their blood phosphate level isn't high. You can do this by eating more home-cooked fresh foods and less pre-prepared or processed foods. Your dietitian can give you more information about this.
• Fruit - Aim for five different fruits and vegetables per day. Starfruit can be harmful to people with kidney disease so avoid eating it.  

Fluids

The NHS Eatwell Guide recommends 6-8 glasses a day. Depending on your kidney condition you may need to drink a different amount to this. Your doctor or dietitian will advise you.