Lauren Levy - MS, RDN, CSR, FNKF

Introduction IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune disease that damages the kidneys. Nutrition plays a vital role in the immune system, and diets rich in fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, and low in processed and fried foods have shown improvements in other autoimmune diseases (1-3). A large portion of the immune system is …

Introduction Following a kidney-friendly diet for IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) can be challenging, especially if you have been told to change your diet. In addition, food is expensive and meal planning takes time. This article describes cost-effective ways to follow a healthy diet but stay in your budget as well.    Understanding Your Kidney-Healthy Diet Before buying …

If you have IgA Nephropathy (IgAN), your doctor and healthcare team have likely encouraged you to drink more—or perhaps less—water. But how much is the right amount? And what if you don’t enjoy plain water? This article explores why hydration is essential, which foods and drinks count as fluids, and how to stay hydrated when water alone isn’t satisfying.

Having a snack when you have IgA Nephropathy can feel overwhelming because often times snacks are loaded with salt, sugar, and empty calories. Snacks instead should be a way to support your energy, refuel your body mid-day or after a workout, and prevent overeating. In this article, we will review what makes a “smart” snack, when to snack, and types of snacks to support your kidneys and overall health. 

Introduction IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune form of kidney disease where IgA immune complexes build in the kidneys and cause damage. Typical symptoms include protein and blood in the urine. Not everyone with IgAN initially has kidney damage. This process is very different than someone who has chronic kidney disease (CKD) not related to …

Many people with IgAN experience swelling in their hands and feet and protein and/or blood in their urine. Doctors typically recommend a low-sodium diet regardless of kidney function, but why? This article reviews what sodium is, why it is important to limit it, and how best to identify and make changes. 

Plant-Based Diets have recently gained a lot more attention. Whether choosing more plants for sustainability, avoiding harming animals or your health eating more plants is becoming more commonplace. There are studies that show plant-forward diets reduce the risk of progression of kidney disease. (1) There are no studies as of now specifically evaluating a plant-forward …

Introduction IgA Nephropathy can be a progressive disease that requires a kidney transplant. It is important to be aware of healthy eating habits, safety considerations, and side effects of transplant medications.  This article reviews the nutritional considerations for a post-transplant eating pattern.  IgA Nephropathy and Kidney Transplant IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare auto-immune kidney …

IgA Nephropathy affects people differently. You may be looking for ways to reduce your inflammation or control food sensitivities through food. Many people with IgAN report sensitivities to gluten and may be diagnosed with celiac disease. This article describes the gluten/IgA connection and what a gluten-free diet includes. 

Lower potassium diets are common for people with kidney disease, including people with IgA Nephropathy. That does not mean your foods need to be flavorless.