Hydration: Dietary Recommendations Early-Stage Kidney Disease

Staying hydrated takes a lot of stress off your kidneys and every other organ and cell in your body.

Most folks need at least 2 Liters of fluid per day (that’s about 8 cups).  Of course, fluid recommendations could be much higher for very large people, for those working in hot climates, for vigorous exercisers, and for those trying to prevent kidney stone recurrence. 

You may have noticed I used the word “fluid” instead of “water”.  That’s because fluid can mean many more things than just water.  In fact, anything that becomes a liquid at room temperature is considered a fluid (think melting ice or popsicles). Of course, as you probably guessed, most of our fluid should come from simple water.

Some examples of fluid sources are:

·      Water

·      Carbonated water

·      Juice

·      Tea

·      Soda/Cola

·      Coffee

·      Lemonade

·      Ice

·      Popsicles

·      Soup

·      Some fruits

Here’s the tricky part.  Many of us rely on feeling thirsty before we drink.  However, many factors can influence thirst, such as the temperature outside, medications you may take, how much salt or sugar is in your diet, your body-awareness, and even your age. 

Because of this, I highly recommend finding a strategy to track your fluid intake.  Consider setting a goal to drink 3-4 cups of fluid in the morning, 3 in the afternoon, and 3 in the evening.  That’s just an example, though.  I encourage you to find your own methods. 

Personally, I have a giant silicone water jug at home with markings on it and words of encouragement.  My teenager finds the encouraging words irritating, but they make me smile.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can’t I just look at the color of my urine to see if I am hydrated? 

Maybe.  For most people, if your urine is light or clear in color, that should indicate proper hydration.  However, the color of urine can change due to certain health conditions, some medications, and even supplements like Vitamin C.

Do caffeinated beverages count towards your fluid goals? 

Good question.  The jury is out on that topic.  For simplicity’s sake, I suggest not including caffeinated beverages in your 2 Liter per day goal.  

Can you overdo it on water? 

Oh, yes.  In fact, this is an issue for many endurance athletes.  In an effort to get well hydrated before vigorous activity, some go too far.  Excessive fluid intake may cause the electrolytes in their blood (like sodium) to become diluted.  This low sodium concentration can cause cramping, nausea, confusion and death.

Important Disclaimers:

This article is general advice for those with early-stage kidney disease (stages 1, 2 or 3).  Not sure if you have early-stage disease?  Ask your doctor or dietitian about it.  Avoid any urge to self-diagnose. 

As with any dietary advice, this information is appropriate for most people, but not for everyone.  Yes, there are exceptions to every rule!  If your situation is complicated or unique, ask your medical provider for a referral to see a registered dietitian. 

Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by your personal physician, pharmacist, dietitian or medical team. Please, do not use this information to self-diagnose or to treat a health problem or disease on your own. Contact your physician immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.