Living with kidney cancer often brings changes to your daily habits. As you go through treatment, your doctor may recommend making some kidney-friendly diet changes.

Being mindful about what you eat can support your kidney function during and after treatment and may help improve 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:

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.

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.

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.

Work With Your Doctor or a Dietitian

What you eat — and don’t eat — can play a role in managing kidney cancer, but specific recommendations vary based on your cancer stage, type, and treatment. A registered dietitian who specializes in oncology (cancer care) and nephrology (kidney care) can give you personalized guidance on a balanced diet and healthy eating when you’re living with kidney cancer.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyKidneyCancerTeam is the social network for people with kidney cancer and their loved ones. On MyKidneyCancerTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with kidney cancer.

Have you made helpful changes to your diet with kidney cancer? Are there foods you tend to avoid because of your diagnosis? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.