Can I ask if the sodium, potassium and phosphorous restrictions were based on lab results, or general guideline limits? I have read from creditable resources that those things only need to be restricted if lab numbers I indicate out of range results. Of course, everyone should stay within regular range limits for those things.

@paigem Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are in the right group discussion here, to look at suggestions for for renal [kidney] diet ideas. I suggest you read through the posts carefully!

The big goal of watching our sodium/potassium/phosphorous/calcium is to lessen the burden on our kidneys as they process the wastes created in our bodies. Much like blood pressure is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease, getting that under control will lessen the burden on our kidneys. And you will find that although we all may have the tag that shows we are kidney disease patients, there often may be other things going on with us. What generally works for all is good, however as individuals we might need to tweak our diets. For example, while I am a kidney disease patient, I also have a gout issue, so I cannot eat shellfish or pork or purines. And, I actually take a potassium supplement, so monitoring that intake is not as critical as it might be for someone else.

@kamama94 has posted several times about the recipes and guidelines she had researched in her quest for good nutrition while on a renal diet. It takes work for us to get and stay healthy!
Ginger