The 3 Types of Breakfast That Could Damage Your Kidneys
The headline is a little misleading: breakfast itself does not normally “damage” healthy kidneys. However, some breakfast choices can be problematic when eaten frequently, particularly for people who already have chronic kidney disease (CKD). The main concerns are usually excess sodium, phosphorus additives, potassium, and inappropriate amounts of protein, depending on the person’s kidney function.
1. Highly Processed Breakfasts
Examples include processed meats, packaged breakfast sandwiches, instant foods, and heavily salted foods.
These can contain a lot of sodium, which is especially important to limit for many people with kidney disease. Processed foods can also contain phosphorus additives that are readily absorbed.
2. Sugary, Highly Processed Breakfasts
Sweetened cereals, pastries, doughnuts, and sugary drinks aren’t automatically harmful to the kidneys, but regularly eating highly processed, sugary foods can make it harder to control blood sugar and weight—both important for kidney health.
3. Very High-Protein Breakfasts
Large amounts of meat, protein shakes, or other high-protein foods aren’t appropriate for everyone with CKD. In some stages of kidney disease, protein intake needs to be carefully managed; people on dialysis may actually need more protein.
A Better Approach
A kidney-friendly breakfast should be personalized. Depending on your kidney function and blood tests, options might include appropriately portioned grains, fruits, vegetables, eggs, or other foods. Not everyone with CKD needs to restrict potassium or phosphorus.
