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Lauren Levy - MS, RDN, CSR, FNKF

Lauren is a renal dietitian since 2009. Owner/Founder of Happy Health Nutrition and a plant-based eater; Lauren believes kidney health is a lifestyle and not a diet. Kidney disease impacts all aspects of life and food choices are vitally important for kidney health. Lauren enjoys working with people, experimenting with recipes, and finding ways that healthy choices feel attainable, sustainable, and enjoyable. Lauren works to take the frustration and confusion out of the renal diet and empower people to follow a kidney-friendly lifestyle.

Salt in wooden bowl

Understanding Salt/Sodium Restrictions in IGA Nephropathy: A Comprehensive Guide

April 4, 2025

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. 

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read moreUnderstanding Salt/Sodium Restrictions in IGA Nephropathy: A Comprehensive Guide
Doctor holding urine sample cup for Kidney-Patient

5 Ways to Lower Protein in the Urine with IgAN

November 15, 2024

Introduction IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a kidney disorder where the immune system causes inflammation, leading to protein leakage in the urine (proteinuria). Over time, persistent proteinuria …

Category: Tips & Tricks
Read more5 Ways to Lower Protein in the Urine with IgAN
Women in kitchen eating standing at kitchen island

Considerations for Post-Transplant Diet for IgA Nephropathy

October 25, 2024

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 …

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read moreConsiderations for Post-Transplant Diet for IgA Nephropathy
Picture of someone putting gluten free label on bread

Gluten-Free Diet and IgA Nephropathy

September 27, 2024

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. 

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read moreGluten-Free Diet and IgA Nephropathy
Lots of Plant-Based foods like fruits and vegetables

Ways to Make Your Diet More Plant-Forward

September 13, 2024

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 …

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read moreWays to Make Your Diet More Plant-Forward
Woman smiling eating a salad in her kitchen

5 Delicious Ways to Make Your Diet Lower in Potassium

August 14, 2024

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.

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read more5 Delicious Ways to Make Your Diet Lower in Potassium
Photo of Anti-Inflammatory Fruits & Vegetables

Managing IgA Nephropathy with an Anti-inflammatory Diet

July 30, 2024

When you have IgA Nephropathy, controlling blood pressure is an important way to protect your kidneys. Your doctor may prescribe you medication to help control your blood pressure; however, you can also do activities at home to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. This article reviews ways you can help to control your blood pressure naturally with IgAN. 

Category: Diet & Nutrition
Read moreManaging IgA Nephropathy with an Anti-inflammatory Diet
Controlling Blood Pressure With Kidney-Disease

Controlling BP Naturally with IgAN

July 14, 2024

When you have IgN, controlling blood pressure is vital. This article reviews ways you can help to control your blood pressure with IgAN.

Category: Tips & Tricks
Read moreControlling BP Naturally with IgAN
Dining Out With Friends on a Low Sodium Kidney Friendly Diet

5 Tips for Dining Out with IGA Nephropathy

June 21, 2024

Eating out with family and friends can be very stressful when you are following a diet for your health. Your IgAN and kidney function status may mean you have many restrictions or only one or two. This article will help you decide what goes best on your plate when eating out. 

Category: Diet & Nutrition, Tips & Tricks
Read more5 Tips for Dining Out with IGA Nephropathy
Kidney-Friendly Food Swaps

5 Low Sodium Swaps for a Kidney Friendly Diet

June 11, 2024

After being diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, your doctor may have told you to follow a low-sodium diet. This article reviews five low-sodium swaps for foods.

Category: Diet & Nutrition, Tips & Tricks
Read more5 Low Sodium Swaps for a Kidney Friendly Diet
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References

  • Hall, Y.N., Fuentes, E.F., Chertow, G.M. et al. Race/ethnicity and disease severity in IgA nephropathy. BMC Nephrol 5, 10 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2369-5-10
  • Kiryluk K, Li Y, Sanna-Cherchi S, Rohanizadegan M, Suzuki H, et al. (2012) Geographic Differences in Genetic Susceptibility to IgA Nephropathy: GWAS Replication Study and Geospatial Risk Analysis. PLoS Genet 8(6): e1002765. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002765