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This plan is for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 3 who are not yet on dialysis, and it follows the published nutrition targets from the National Kidney Foundation [1], KDIGO 2024 [2], and the KDOQI 2020 Clinical Practice Guideline [3]. The targets are strict but achievable: sodium under 2,000 mg per day, phosphorus under 1,000 mg per day, protein around 0.8 g/kg body weight (about 60 g for a 75 kg adult), 1,800 kcal total. Potassium isn't routinely restricted in Stage 3 unless your lab work shows it's elevated — talk to your nephrologist or renal dietitian about whether you need to track it. The cuisine palette leans modern and Mediterranean but with major swaps: no deli meats, no canned soups, no salt as routine seasoning, no whole-grain breads as the daily anchor (white rice and white bread are easier on phosphorus), no large servings of beans, nuts, or dark leafy greens. Flavor comes from lemon, vinegar, herbs, and garlic — not the salt shaker. Day 1 starts on a Sunday because Sundays anchor the prep.
Click any day to see the full meal breakdown with macros. Days are interchangeable — eat all 7 within a week in any order.
Most of the week’s cooking happens on Sunday. Doing the prep up-front means weekday meals come together in 10 minutes or less.
After 7 days you'll have a working understanding of where sodium and phosphorus hide in everyday food — and a small repertoire of meals that work for a kidney-friendly pattern. Bring your food diary to your next nephrology appointment. The clinical targets here are a starting point; your renal dietitian may adjust them based on your lab values, especially if your potassium or phosphorus is trending up.
Kayte is a nutrition writer, food and recipe content creator, and wellness educator. She bridges evidence-based nutrition science with everyday cooking — translating research into practical recipes, meal ideas, and wellness habits that readers can actually use in their kitchens.
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