Food Facts Friday: Oranges

Oranges are a juicy, slightly tart, but mostly sweet citrus fruit rich in vitamins and antioxidants. But can they be a healthy part of a kidney-friendly diet?

Nutritional Facts About Oranges

Oranges come in many different varieties, each with its own flavor profile. Some oranges are sweeter while others are more sour. Each type of orange contains enough vitamin C in one serving to meet almost all your daily needs.¹ Vitamin C can help boost your immune system, manage anemia by improving iron absorption from food and supplements, and protect your body’s cells from damage.²

Oranges offer a variety of nutrition benefits. In addition to being rich in vitamin C, oranges also contain fiber, antioxidants, calcium and fluid for hydration. However, oranges are high in potassium, a nutrient that many people with chronic kidney disease or those on dialysis may need to limit. One large orange contains 333 mg of potassium.³ Therefore, including oranges in your kidney diet may make it difficult to meet your potassium goals.

6 Tips for Including Oranges in Your Kidney Diet

• Know how much potassium is right for you. Work with your nephrologist and dietitian to understand how much potassium you can have daily. Some people have high levels of potassium in their blood and need to reduce how much potassium they eat. However, others may have low levels of potassium in their blood and would benefit from eating more potassium.
• Explore different types of oranges. Serving sizes and potassium content depend on the type of orange. You may be able to include a smaller portion or certain type of orange in your diet, especially when eaten on occasion instead of every day. One small tangerine (mandarin orange) only has 126 mg of potassium.⁴ One mandarin orange fruit cup has 125 mg of potassium (potassium amount may vary between brands).⁵ Check with your nephrologist or dietitian to see how you can safely include different types of oranges in your kidney diet.
• Try orange extract. Orange extract is a flavoring created from oranges. It can be used to add that signature citrus flavor to foods without adding a lot of potassium.  
• Take your medications. If you take potassium-lowering drugs, be sure to take them as prescribed.
• Read “Potassium and Chronic Kidney Disease” for more information, including a high-potassium and low-potassium food guide.  
• Check out these kidney-friendly recipes from DaVita.com that include orange:
  • Mandarin Orange and Cottage Cheese Salad
  • Orange Dreamsicle Delight
  • Citrus Shake

Additional Kidney Diet Resources

Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:

DaVita Food Analyzer

DaVita Dining Out Guides

Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks

DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Diet and Nutrition Articles                                                       

Diet and Nutrition Videos

Kidney Smart® Virtual Classes

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.

REFERENCES:

1. FoodData Central. US Department of Agriculture. Oranges, raw, all commercial varieties. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169097/nutrients. Published April 1, 2019. Accessed October 16, 2024.

2. Mayo Clinic. Vitamin C. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932. Updated August 10, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2024.

3. FoodData Central. US Department of Agriculture. Oranges, raw, Florida. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169918/nutrients. Published April 1, 2019. Accessed October 16, 2024.

4. FoodData Central. US Department of Agriculture. Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169105/nutrients. Published April 1, 2019. Accessed October 16, 2024.