Which foods should be avoided by a patient on a renal diet due to chronic kidney disease?

Which foods should be avoided by a patient on a renal diet due to chronic kidney disease?

• A. Red meat and shellfish
• B. Potatoes and citrus fruit
• C. Cookies and cake
• D. Lean meat and chicken

Answer: (B)

Potassium control is a central goal of many renal diets because damaged kidneys can’t eliminate potassium well, which can lead to dangerous heart rhythms. Potatoes and citrus fruits are among the highest-potassium foods, so they’re commonly restricted to keep potassium levels safe. The other options relate more to other renal-diet concerns—protein and phosphorus, or sugar and calories—rather than the specific potassium issue. Lean meats and poultry can be included in moderation, while red meat, shellfish, cookies, and cake are managed for other nutrient risks. So potatoes and citrus fruit stand out as the items to avoid for potassium management in CKD.

Potassium control is a central goal of many renal diets because damaged kidneys can’t eliminate potassium well, which can lead to dangerous heart rhythms. Potatoes and citrus fruits are among the highest-potassium foods, so they’re commonly restricted to keep potassium levels safe. The other options relate more to other renal-diet concerns—protein and phosphorus, or sugar and calories—rather than the specific potassium issue. Lean meats and poultry can be included in moderation, while red meat, shellfish, cookies, and cake are managed for other nutrient risks. So potatoes and citrus fruit stand out as the items to avoid for potassium management in CKD.