Eating healthy is one of the best ways to manage polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Fruits and vegetables are especially helpful for your kidneys and your overall health. But knowing how much to eat, and which ones to choose, can be confusing. In this blog, we’ll explain why fruits and vegetables matter, and how to include more of them in your daily meals.

Why Do Fruits and Vegetables Matter for PKD?

Fruits and vegetables are sometimes called "superfoods" because they are packed with nutrients for a well-balanced diet. Here’s why they’re helpful for people with PKD:

1. Full of Antioxidants:

These help lower inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which may slow down the damage PKD causes to your kidneys.

2. High in Fibre:

Fibre helps with digestion, keeps you full longer, and supports both kidney and heart health. It can also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

3. Rich in Potassium and Magnesium:

These minerals help lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. Good sources include:

• Leafy greens (like spinach, Swiss chard or kale)
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Pumpkin seeds
• Black beans

4. Help You Stay at a Healthy Weight:

Most fruits and veggies are low in calories and high in nutrients. Keeping a healthy weight is important for controlling blood pressure, which helps protect your kidneys.

How Much Should You Eat?

Eating a balanced diet is important when you have PKD. This means eating lots of vegetables and fruit. A simple tip is to fill half your plate with vegetables or fruit at every meal. It’s an easy way to stay on track, no matter where you’re eating.

New guidelines (from KDIGO) suggest people with PKD should eat at least 400 grams or 5 servings of vegetables and fruit each day—not counting starchy foods like potatoes.

You might be wondering: what counts as one serving? Here are some examples:

• ½ cup fresh, frozen, or canned fruit or veggies
• 1 cup leafy greens
• 1 whole fruit (like an apple or pear)

Easy Ways to Add More Fruits and Veggies

Start Your Day with Fruit:
Add fruit to breakfast. Try a smoothie with berries and kale, and add chia seeds, flaxseeds or yogurt for an extra boost of fibre and healthy fats. Or you could try overnight oats with apple and cinnamon like in the recipe below.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats (Serves 1)
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup dry oats
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 small apple, chopped
• ½ cup low-fat milk or non-dairy drink
• ½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a container and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, stir and enjoy! Add more milk or yogurt if needed.

Nutrition information per serving: 431 calories, 22.5 g protein, 8.4 g fibre, 57.6 g carbohydrates, 13.9 g fat, 2.4 g saturated fat, 95.3 mg sodium, 678.8 mg potassium, 474.7 mg phosphorus

Make Veggies the Main Event:
Fill half your plate with veggies at lunch and dinner. Try roasting cauliflower or Brussels sprouts, sautéing Swiss chard with garlic and olive oil, or a making a hearty veggie soup. If you prefer raw veggies, make a tray with dip, or a fresh salad.

Snack on Fruit:
Fruit is a tasty and easy snack. Try apple slices with nut butter or a handful of berries with a few nuts.

Add Veggies to Dishes You Already Love:
Toss extra veggies into soups, stews, pasta sauces, or casseroles. Try adding mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Managing Potassium with PKD

Potassium is a mineral that helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. But too much potassium can be dangerous—causing problems like irregular heartbeats. Some people with PKD need to limit how much potassium they eat.

Here’s how to manage potassium safely:

• Get your potassium levels checked with bloodwork
• Eat a balanced diet and manage your blood sugar
• Stay regular (constipation can raise potassium levels)

If you need a low-potassium diet, try these tips:

1. Know Which Foods Are High or Low in Potassium:
   Use resources like the Canadian Nutrient File or food labels to check potassium levels. High-potassium fruits and veggies may need to be limited.
2. Watch Your Portion Sizes:
   You don’t have to cut out all high-potassium foods—just eat smaller portions. For example, have half a banana instead of a whole one. Work with a dietician to help you determine the best portion sizes for you.
3. Leach High-Potassium Veggies:
   Soaking and boiling potatoes or sweet potatoes can cut their potassium by up to 50%.
4. Choose Fresh or Frozen Over Canned:
   Canned foods sometimes have added potassium. Check labels, and go for fresh or frozen options when possible.

Talk to a Dietitian

Everyone with PKD is different. A registered dietitian can help you figure out what foods and portion sizes are best for you, how to manage potassium, and how to create a meal plan that works for your lifestyle.

Bottom Line

Fruits and vegetables are a smart choice when living with PKD. They give your body the nutrients it needs, help reduce inflammation, support your kidneys, and boost your overall health. Try adding more plant foods to your meals, and talk with your healthcare team to make sure your diet is right for you.

About the Author

Emily Campbell, RD CDE MScFN is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a Master’s Degree in Foods and Nutrition. Emily specializes in helping those with kidney disease overcome the confusing world of nutrition to promote health. Emily can be found at kidneynutrition.ca.

More

• Looking for more information about what to eat with PKD? Check out Love Your Kidneys, a PKD cookbook and nutrition guide written especially for people with PKD.
• Watch one of Emily's webinar or PKD Summit recordings on the topic of Nutrition and PKD here, or 
• Browse through Emily's Kidney Nutrition blogs on our website.