March 2016

IN-SERVICE
Feeding Patients with
Diabetes & Kidney Disease

Starchy Vegetables
Recommended:
Corn, peas, potatoes (may
be soaked to reduce
potassium)
To be Avoided:
Baked & sweet potatoes,
yams, baked beans, dried
beans (kidneys, lima, lentil,
pinto, or soy), pumpkin,
winter squash, succotash

Non-starchy Vegetables

Diabetes is a major risk factor for

kidney disease. Thus, many individuals
with diabetes later develop kidney disease.
Patients with both renal and diabetic diet
restrictions will need to restrict foods
containing high amounts of phosphorus,
sodium, & potassium and control
carbohydrate intake.

Recommended:
Kale, carrots, broccoli,
cabbage, green beans,
iceburg lettuce, red & green
peppers, celery, cucumbers,
cauliflower, asparagus,
beets, onions, snow peas
To be Avoided:
Cooked spinach, tomatoes,
tomato sauce or paste,
tomato juice, cooked
Chinese cabbage

Important Dietary Considerations

It is very important to note that starchy vegetables must be carefully monitored for patients
with diabetes due to their carbohydrate content. However, certain non-starchy vegetables may not
be acceptable substitutions due to their high content of phosphorus and potassium. The lists above
provide examples of acceptable starchy vegetables that will be considered as a carbohydrate choice
and acceptable non-starchy vegetables that will not be considered as a carbohydrate choice and
have acceptable amounts of both potassium & phosphorus. Please review the lists above.

Source: DaVita

March 2016

Quiz Questions
Please circle the correct answer below for each of the questions:
1. Do starchy vegetables have to be limited if a patient is on both a renal diet
restriction and a diabetic diet restriction?
a) No
b) Yes

2. Which non-starchy vegetable should be avoided for a patient on both a renal

and diabetic diet restriction?
a) Kale
b) Cooked spinach
c) Carrots
d) Iceburg lettuce

3. Why do non-starchy vegetables have to be limited for a patient on both a renal

and diabetic diet restriction?
a) Sugar content
b) Fat content
c) Potassium and Phosphorus content

4. Which starchy vegetable is an acceptable carbohydrate choice for a patient on

both a renal and diabetic diet restriction?
a) Baked beans
b) Corn
2