6 Soups to Make this Season

Knock off the winter chill with a hearty bowl of soup. DaVita dietitian Jessica Triggs’ past post “Make this Soup Season a Success” can help you find tips on including soup in a kidney-healthy diet.

If you are limiting fluid talk to your dietitian about how much liquid to include and how to count soup in your daily fluid allowance.

Here’s a list of 6 soups to get you started:

6 Kidney-Friendly Homemade Soups

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.

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara is a renal dietitian with over 30 years experience working with people with diabetes and kidney disease. She is co-author of the popular kidney cookbook "Cooking for David: A Culinary Dialysis Cookbook". Sara is the Manager of Kidney Care Nutrition for DaVita. She analyzes recipes and creates content, resources and tools for the kidney community. In her spare time Sara loves to spend time with her young grandson, including fun times together in her kitchen.

Comments

January 16, 2020 at 10:24 am

Darlene

Thsnk u for these recipes. My dr now thinks im stage 3 and 4.

Reply
- January 24, 2020 at 11:33 pm
  
  Shirley
  
  Stage 3
  
  Reply
January 16, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Penni Glenz

Why are you posting recipes that are so high in potassium and phosphorus…the very things that we are trying to reduce? We’ve been told to eat what has under 200 mg per serving of both.

Reply
- January 16, 2020 at 3:41 pm
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  Each person’s kidney diet goals are based on individual needs. The 200 mg rule does not apply to all recipes or categories of meal items. If you know your total goal for each nutrient of concern for the day you can divide it into 3 meals and 1-2 snacks. This will give you a better idea about how kidney-friendly recipes fit into your diet. Also, newer research has shown that organic phosphorus found naturally in many foods is only partially absorbed. For this reason many renal dietitians work with their patients who want to include healthy foods like whole grains and legumes. Check out some of the Kidney Diet Tips blog posts on these topics to learn more.
  
  Reply
January 18, 2020 at 1:15 am

Dennis

I am a 72 male with a gfr of 60.Would like to bring it up75/80.

Reply
- January 29, 2020 at 10:38 am
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  GFR can fluctuate from one test to the other. The degree of change depends on your kidney function and hydration. Usually kidney function does not improve so you may not see big changes. The goal may be to do what you can to save existing kidney function. Discuss your treatment goals with your doctor.
  
  Reply
January 20, 2020 at 10:09 pm

Supayan Talukder

It’s helpful for my son but I live in Bangladesh. So all ingredient not available here.
If possible please send me as like our ingredient availability in our country.
Thanks
Supayan Talukder

Reply
January 23, 2020 at 2:34 pm

Joeann Craddock

Thank you Ms. Colman for your knowledge, and patience in dealing with this serious health issue. I am a 68 year old female of color. Because I have so many health issues, for example, immune disorders for 36 years, of which I have been taking Prednisone for the same time. frame. October 2016 I was in the emergency room because I was told I was going into renal failure. My creatinine was 18, therefore, I was diagnosed with Hypercalcemia. While being in the hospital for four days, my prednisone was increased to 40 mg. daily. It was last year that I was told I was in Stage 3. Because my creatinine goes up and down , I am now Stage 4. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is to be on dialysis. Therefore, I appreciate any help you may offer. You are the SPECIALIST and I thank you and, appreciate your input. I look forward to receiving information that can help me maintain my kidney disease.

Reply
- January 29, 2020 at 12:06 pm
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  Prednisone can increase the creatinine level due to it’s catabolic effect. When your dose is decreased you will see a drop in your values and this is also reflected in the calculation of your GFR and stage of CKD. Keep reading and learning about kidney disease, especially what you can do to prevent progression of kidney disease. DAVita.com and the Kidney Diet Tips blog provide content to help.
  
  Reply
January 24, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Nancy Bishop

My son, 54, has stage 5 kidney disease. His potassium tends to run at the high end of normal. His phosphorus is beginning to run over the high norm. Sodium rocks along fairly well. I use no salt or salt substitutes. I rinse the few canned vegetables I buy. His creatinine is getting higher running in the 5. Plus. I get so confused trying to fix him food. Meat is high in phosphorus, fruits and vegetables are loaded potassium. I had felt easy using chicken, turkey, ground beef, but I get really nervous now because I want him to,be able to eat and enjoy what he eats. He can have nothing anymore that he really likes. I feel dialysis is near. Could you tell me which of your cookbooks would be the best?

Reply
- January 29, 2020 at 11:55 am
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  Thanks for your message Nancy.
  At stage 5 CKD, the need for dialysis or transplant is very close. Some people will start having high potassium and phosphorus levels because the kidney can no longer remove the excess minerals. A strict diet may or may not help as kidneys continue to decline. Once dialysis is started the diet will be more liberal since the dialysis treatment will remove the waste and excess minerals and fluid. In the meantime balance the lower sodium and potassium foods with what he wants to eat. Often the appetite decreases and waste builds up in the bloodstream.
  
  Reply
February 9, 2020 at 4:34 pm

Corliss

I’m stage 4 I’m having trouble with my hemoglobin and the biggest problem is when I walk a short distance I’m so short breath I’m in treatment for this at the hospital outpatient . I’m getting an iron infusion because I don’t accept blood transfusions please help me understand this.

Reply
- April 1, 2020 at 3:24 pm
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  Kidney disease causes less production of red blood cells. As you probably are experiencing, the treatment is iron and a type of medication called erythropoetin stimulating agents. Your dietitian may also encourage higher iron foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, fortified cereals, beans and tofu.
  
  Reply
February 13, 2020 at 11:14 am

jane crowell

is there a list of foods high in phosphorous?

Reply
- April 1, 2020 at 3:19 pm
  
  Sara Colman, RD, CDE
  
  Yes there is a list in this DaVita.com article: “Phosphorus in Foods: What to Know When You’re on a Kidney Diet“.
  
  Reply
September 20, 2022 at 11:14 am

Cynthia Clayton

My husband is stage 3 CKD, has early onset Parkinsons and is taking Warfarin. All 3 conditions have strict dietary restrictions and I’m having a really hard time figuring out healthy meals for him that can accommodate all of them. Is there an answer to this? Thank you.

Reply
- September 29, 2022 at 8:06 am
  
  Jackie Termont, RD
  
  Thank you for your question, that is definitely challenging. Warfarin or coumadin, are blood thinners and vitamin K rich foods can affect this. If there are foods on the list you enjoy you can work with your doctor to adjust the dose (Kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Mustard/Turnip greens, Swiss chard, Broccoli, Asparagus) Below are a few articles around diet and stage 3 CKD that we hope will help.
  https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/diet-and-nutrition-goals-for-people-with-stage-3-chronic-kidney-disease
  https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/advice/diet-and-nutrition-goals-for-people-with-stage-3-chronic-kidney-disease
  
  Reply
January 2, 2023 at 6:16 am

Marta Mercado Patterson

I am a personal chef. I have dialysis and kidney disease clients.

Reply
- November 26, 2023 at 7:48 am
  
  Lynn M
  
  Hi, Marta. Where are you located? I am in Cincinnati and am looking for a personal chef who is familiar with a renal diet. Since you are unlikely to reside in my area, can you possibly recommend how I might go about finding someone? Thank you, Lynn
  
  Reply
  - December 1, 2023 at 8:21 am
    
    Jackie Termont, RD
    
    Thank you for your question. It may be good to start by finding a dietitian that is local to you who specialized in kidney disease. Here is a link from the National Kidney Foundation. Not all dietitians are personal chefs, but they may know of one in your area.
    https://sites.google.com/view/ckdrd/home
    
    Reply
March 19, 2023 at 5:37 am

Harold Williams

My Creatine level is 6. Wondering if I can take bone soup? Recipe??
Suggest safe foods please..

Reply
- June 6, 2023 at 8:03 am
  
  Jackie Termont, RD
  
  We currently do not have recipes for bone broth. There are still many studies that question the benefits of bone broth. It really is what it sounds like, boiling down bones to make a broth.
  
  Reply
March 7, 2024 at 12:58 am

Stacey Anne McJury

I have been on dialysis for a year, and I still eat the wrong things. Could you please send me a 7-day meal plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I really do not like meat I like haddock or cod. I also would like to know what I can have to drink nonalcoholic of course. Please help me

Reply
- March 29, 2024 at 12:19 pm
  
  Jackie Termont, RD
  
  Thank you for your question and apologies for the late reply. It is hard to create a meal plan, because we tend to create what we would like. The best things is to use an exciting meal plan and tailor it to you. I have a 3 day menu I will share, but you can use the recipes on DaVita.com to filter by seafood if that is what you like and substitute. If you are on a phosphorus binder, because you take those with meals. Watching high sodium foods (mostly processed foods) can help reduce sodium/fluid. Your dietitian makes recommendations based on your individual results. Sharing exactly what you are eating and drinking can help you both improve your labs. Flavored sparkling water tends to be good to drink if you don’t like plain water. My recommendation is always checking the ingredient list for phosphorus additives. You can create a free myDaVita account and track your meals in our meal planner along with the Food Analyzer.
  https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/articles/seasonal/3-day-springtime-menu-for-a-kidney-diet
  https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition
  
  Reply
July 22, 2024 at 2:19 pm

Joyce white

Hi I what to know how can I make home0 made soups for my husband that has stage 4 Kinney de.

Reply
- July 26, 2024 at 11:38 am
  
  Jackie Termont, RD
  
  Thank you for your question. With homemade soups you will be able to control the sodium, which is so important in kidney disease. There are broths that do not have sodium added and are much lower than regular beef, vegetable or chicken broth. I am including a link for the soup section of our recipe page to give you some ideas. You can search by CKD non-dialysis for stage 4 and soups under categories.
  https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/recipe-search
  
  Reply
August 21, 2024 at 10:11 pm

Dorothy Gardiner

I am an elderly diabetic with 3rd stage CKD and fatty liver disease trying to balance the right foods for each condition. It sure is tricky.

Reply
- September 9, 2024 at 1:31 pm
  
  Jackie Termont, RD
  
  You are definitely right about trying to find that balance. Every person is so different and has different needs. Here is a link from the National Kidney Foundation to possibly find a dietitian in your area that specializes in CKD. They may also be able to help you balance that with your other nutrition needs.
  
  Reply

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