Nuts are often praised as a healthy snack, but if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you might have been told to avoid them. With so many types of nuts out there—are they all the same when it comes to your kidneys? Should you steer clear completely, or is there a kidney-friendly way to include them in your diet?
This blog post will break down everything you need to know—from our top picks for which nuts are good for kidneys to practical tips for including them in your diet. Let’s crack open the facts so you can snack confidently and keep your kidneys happy!
Benefits of nuts
Nuts often get a bad rap when it comes to kidney health, but they do come with some impressive benefits—especially when enjoyed in moderation. Let’s break it down:
1. Keeps hunger in check
Thanks to their winning combo of protein, healthy fats, and fibre, nuts are perfect for keeping those mid-afternoon snack attacks at bay. A small handful can help you feel fuller for longer, which means less mindless eating of unhealthier snacks between meals.
2. Nutrient powerhouse
Nuts are little nutrition bombs packed with heart-healthy fats, fibre, and a variety of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, folic acid, selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron, polyphenols and phytoestrogens. These nutrients and compounds have a multitude of benefits for your body including supporting many bodily functions, boosting your immune system and reducing inflammation.
3. Plant-based goodness
As a plant-based protein source, nuts give your kidneys a bit of a break compared to animal proteins. Plus, they’re an easy way to sneak more plant foods into your day without much effort.
4. Heart health heroes
Let’s not forget—your kidneys and heart are connected. Unsaturated healthier fats found in nuts help support heart health and overall cardiovascular function.
5. Super versatile
Whether you’re reaching for a quick snack, spreading nut butter on toast, or adding chopped nuts to baked goods, there are endless ways to include them in your kidney-friendly diet.
6. Adds texture and flavour to your meals
Craving some crunch? Nuts can instantly upgrade the texture of your favourite foods. Toss them on a salad, sprinkle over your morning oats, or blend them into smoothies for an upgraded rich, nutty flavour boost.
Want to feel more confident about your food choices? Download our free guide CKD Results Made Simple, where we explain what your blood test results mean and how they connect to your diet.
👉 Download your free guide HERE
Nutrients and other compounds in nuts
When it comes to nuts and kidney disease, understanding which nutrients are found in them and how they can affect your kidneys and overall health is the first step in choosing a kidney-friendly nut for you.
- Healthy fats
Nuts are packed with heart-loving unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These essential fats are exactly that—essential! Your body can’t make them, so you need to get them from your diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids help improve blood flow, lower triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood), reduce blood pressure, and even prevent blood clots. Walnuts are the top nut for omega-3s, with smaller amounts found in pecans, pistachios, macadamias, and pine nuts.
Omega-6 fatty acids also support heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Walnuts and pine nuts are packed with omega-6, with pecans and Brazil nuts offering good amounts too.
Here’s a friendly tip: A very high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 can contribute to inflammation, so balance your intake by making sure you include omega-3-rich foods like walnuts, oily fish, chia seeds, and flaxseeds alongside your omega-6 sources.
- Low-carb goodness
Nuts are naturally low in carbohydrates, making them a smart snack choice if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Fabulous fibre
Fibre isn’t just for digestion—it also supports heart health and keeps you feeling full for longer. Boosting your fibre intake benefits both your gut and heart, which is super important if you have CKD Stages 3 and 4.
- Plant-based protein
Nuts offer plant-based protein, which is great if you’re cutting back on animal protein to help manage CKD Stages 3 and 4. However, heads up! If you’re watching your overall protein intake, be mindful of portion sizes. Chestnuts, macadamias, and pecans are lower in protein, while peanuts and almonds contain more.
- Naturally low in sodium
Too much salt can raise blood pressure and stress your kidneys, so just stick to unsalted varieties.
- Potassium considerations
As kidney function declines, potassium can build up in your blood, potentially affecting heart rhythm. Many with CKD Stages 3 and 4 don’t need a low-potassium diet, but always check with your healthcare team. Some nuts are high in potassium so if you do need to limit this, opt for nuts lower in potassium like macadamias, walnuts, and pecans, and keep portions in check. The good news is that it is thought that the potassium (and phosphate) in nuts is not that easily absorbed as it is tightly bound in the nut structure.
- Phosphate considerations
Like potassium, phosphate can accumulate as kidney function decreases, potentially weakening bones and hardening arteries. Nuts contain natural phosphate, but the good news is that your body doesn’t absorb it as easily as phosphate additives. This means nuts can still be part of a low-phosphate diet.
- Oxalate awareness
Oxalates can lead to kidney stones, which might be a concern if you’ve had kidney stones before or have a family history. If that’s you, choose lower-oxalate nuts like macadamias, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts and avoid those very high in oxalate eg almonds and Brazil nuts.
Best nuts for kidney disease
Choosing the right nuts when you have CKD can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. The best choice depends on your individual health needs, but here are our top 3 kidney-friendly nuts:
1. Walnuts
Walnuts take the top spot! They boast the highest amounts of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, supporting heart health while being lower in potassium and phosphate—perfect for anyone on a lower potassium and/or phosphate diet. Walnuts also offer a good dose of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation. Plus, they’re lower in oxalates, making them a solid choice if you’re prone to kidney stones.
2. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are good for kidneys – they absolutely shine with the lowest levels of potassium and phosphate, making them ideal if you’re following a low-potassium or low-phosphate diet for CKD Stages 3-4. They’re also the lowest in protein, so you can typically enjoy larger portions compared to other nuts. With moderate omega-6 content, they support heart health and are lower in oxalates—great news if kidney stones are a concern.
3. Pecan nuts
Pecans offer the best of both worlds with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for heart health, plus they’re lower in potassium, phosphate, and protein. This makes them a fantastic all-round choice for CKD Stages 3-4 and also for those prone to kidney stones due to their lower oxalate content.
Honourable mention – Chestnuts
Chestnuts may not be as popular or frequently eaten year-round, but they deserve a mention because they’re super low in protein and phosphate. However, they have moderate amounts of potassium and fewer heart-healthy fats compared to the other nuts listed. Therefore for a regular nut in your kidney-friendly diet, walnuts, macadamias, or pecans would be your best bet.
Practical tips to include nuts in a kidney-friendly diet
1. Choosing the right nuts for you
Start by choosing kidney-friendly options like walnuts, macadamias, or pecans, but remember—it’s all about what works for you. If you’re not on a low-potassium diet, focusing on low-potassium nuts may not be necessary. If kidney stones are a concern and you want to prioritise heart health, go for nuts high in healthy fats and low in oxalates.
The following table shows the amount of different nutrients in various nuts to help you make smart choices.
| Protein (g/100g) | Potassium (mg/100g) | Phosphate (mg/100g) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 21.2 | 733 | 481 |
| Brazil nuts | 14.3 | 660 | 590 |
| Cashew nuts | 17.7 | 710 | 560 |
| Chestnuts | 2 | 500 | 74 |
| Hazelnuts | 14.1 | 730 | 300 |
| Macadamia nuts | 7.9 | 300 | 200 |
| Mixed nuts | 23.8 | 696 | 452 |
| Peanuts | 25.8 | 670 | 430 |
| Pecan nuts | 9.2 | 520 | 310 |
| Pine nuts | 14 | 780 | 650 |
| Pistachio nuts | 17.9 | 1040 | 420 |
| Walnuts | 14.7 | 450 | 380 |
2. Drop the salt
Always go for unsalted nuts to avoid extra salt that could affect your kidneys and blood pressure.
3. Raw or dry-roasted
Choose raw or dry-roasted nuts without added flavours or salt to keep them kidney-friendly.
4. Portion size matters
Nuts are nutritious, but portion control is key—especially with CKD. Stick to a sensible serving size of 30-50g (about a small handful).
5. Be creative
Nuts are so versatile so mix it up and think about other ways you can enjoy them besides as a simple snack. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Sprinkle on Overnight Oats or Yoghurt: Add chopped walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy topping.
- Blend into Smoothies: Toss in a teaspoon of nut butter or a small amount of cashews for a creamy texture.
- Add to Salads: Throw in slivered almonds, chopped pistachios, or walnuts for extra crunch and flavour.
- Nut-Crusted Coating: Use crushed nuts as a coating for chicken, fish, or tofu for a crunchy, flavourful crust.
- Add to Stir-Fries: Toss in a small amount of chopped cashews or peanuts for a nutty crunch in your stir-fry.
- Nutty Pasta Topping: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts over pasta dishes for added texture and flavour.
FAQ’s about nuts
Can I eat nut butter?
Yes! Nut butters like peanut, almond, or cashew butter can be a tasty alternative to raw nuts to add variety. Just pick natural varieties with no added sugar or salt. If you’re on a low-potassium or low-phosphate diet, keep servings small—around one teaspoon.
Can I use nut milk?
Nut milk (like almond, cashew, or hazelnut) is a kidney-friendly swap for dairy milk. They’re naturally low in protein, potassium, and phosphate since only small amounts of nuts are used to make them. However, keep in mind—they also have fewer healthy fats and antioxidants than raw nuts due to the small amounts used in production. Check out our blog post Which Milk is Good for Kidney Disease for more details!
How often can I eat nuts?
Aim to include a combination of nuts, seeds, and legumes (like beans, pulses, and lentils) in your diet about 4 to 5 times a week.
What about coconut – Is that a nut?
Technically, coconut is a fruit! But heads up—it’s high in potassium, so if you’re on a low-potassium diet, limit coconut and coconut-based products like coconut milk and cream.
With the right choices and portion sizes, nuts don’t have to be off-limits when managing CKD so you can enjoy their many health benefits and delicious taste and versatility while keeping your kidneys healthy. We hope this guide has helped clear up the confusion and inspired you to include nuts in a way that works for you.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more valuable kidney nutrition tips and expert advice! We’re two experienced kidney dietitians passionate about helping you live well with CKD.
