Lifestyle Factors
- Advise people with CKD to adopt healthy and diverse diets with a higher consumption of plant-based foods compared to animal-based foods and a lower consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- Avoid high protein intake (>1.3 g/kg body weight/d) in adults with CKD at risk of progression. International Guidance suggests maintaining a protein intake of 0.8 g/kg body weight/day in adults with CKD G3–G5
- Limit salt intake to <2g of sodium (equivalent to <5g of sodium chloride) per day. Salt substitutes such as LoSalt should be avoided.
- Avoid recommending dietary restrictions unless there is a clear clinical indication based on blood test results, symptoms, or specialist advice. Unnecessary restriction of potassium, phosphate, protein, or fluid intake can increase treatment burden, reduce quality of life, and contribute to poor nutritional status.
- Patients often seek dietary advice online, but information can be inconsistent and confusing. Encourage patients to use reputable sources of information and avoid making significant dietary changes without clinical guidance. Useful resources include:
- Consider referral to a renal dietitian for patients with advanced CKD, malnutrition, abnormal potassium or phosphate levels, or complex dietary needs
- People living with CKD should be encouraged to undertake physical activity daily.
- Aiming for 150 minutes per week, with intensity compatible with cardiovascular health, tolerance, and level of frailty.
- Strongly discourage the use of tobacco products
- Sign post to local community smoking cessation clinics if person agrees
Encourage people living with CKD to maintain their BMI within optimal ranges for their age and ethnicity