If you have, then welcome to Part 2. Now we’ll talk more about which foods add to your daily fluid intake.

So, which foods add to my daily liquid intake?

Notice the colored backgrounds of the examples below. The ones on green are kidney-friendly, the yellow ones need moderation, and we advise you avoid the red ones.

Any food item in liquid form, especially at room temperature, adds to your fluid intake. These fluids include:

Other food items that have high water content can add to your fluid intake, too. Examples are:

However, it’s more important to note that all these foods should be taken in moderation, because you might go over your fluid intake limit that your doctor/dietitian has (or will) set for you.

How do I measure my fluids then?

Here’s a table of estimates for the amount of fluids in each of the items mentioned above. Use this to measure your foods and make sure you don’t go over your fluid limits:

Wait... So, how much am I allowed to drink then?

The answer: it will depend on your kidney condition and lifestyle.

Usually, your daily fluid limit is set like this: take about 500-700 ml of fluid a day, then add the amount of fluid you normally urinate. So if, for example, your daily urine amount is 500 ml, then your fluid limit is about 1-1.2 L every day. 

But the best way to know your fluid limits is to consult your doctor and/or dietitian. They can set a specific amount for your daily fluid intake based on your age, CKD stage, and lifestyle.

Your fluid intake can make or break your renal diet's progress. That's why it's important to make sure that you adhere to recommendations and advice from your healthcare practitioners, and try your best to follow the guidelines and limits they set.