9 of the Best Foods for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

“Diet is one of the best ways we have to manage these exact symptoms,” says Thomas L. Salazer, MD, the chief of the division of nephrology at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. “By eating the right foods, you take unnecessary workload off your kidneys.”

1. Salmon

This fatty fish also helps manage fat levels in your blood, which can rise in response to protein loss, says Dr. Salazer.

Machado recommends 2- to 4-ounce portions of salmon, especially if your provider tells you to limit protein.

“One of my favorite, simple recipes is salmon with fresh dill, minced garlic, and a squeeze of lemon,” says Salazer.

2. Steel-Cut or Rolled Oats

Whole grains like oats help to balance your cholesterol levels, which can get high with FSGS, says Salazer. “The soluble fiber in oats — specifically beta-glucan — acts like a sponge in the digestive tract to help pull cholesterol out of the body. Oats also provide slow-burning energy throughout the day.”

Salazer recommends ½ cup to 1 cup of cooked oats for each portion. “Pick plain, unflavored oats so you can then control the ingredients and use your own natural sweetness, like a dash of cinnamon or fresh fruit, rather than the added sugars found in flavored instant packets,” he says.

3. Blueberries

Berries pack a punch with fiber and antioxidants, and they’re also low in sugar, says Fentress. They can help to manage blood sugar and boost your immune system, she says.

Cell damage from oxidative stress can speed up kidney damage over time, so you need to get plenty of antioxidants with FSGS, like the anthocyanins in blueberries, says Salazer.

4. Red Bell Peppers

“Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron and supports your immune health,” says Salazer, who recommends portion sizes of ½ cup to 1 cup of firm, brightly colored peppers, raw or cooked.

You can eat red bell peppers as a side with proteins, mixed into pasta or casserole dishes, raw in salads, or even as a snack food with dips, says Machado.

5. Garlic and Onions

6. Quinoa

Salazer recommends a ½ cup portion of cooked quinoa. This grain has a slightly bitter protective coating, so rinse it before cooking, he says.

7. Cauliflower

“Cauliflower in particular is low in potassium,” says Machado. And purple cauliflower also contains anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant, she says.

Salazer recommends portion sizes of a ½ cup cooked or 1 cup raw. “If you're buying pre-packaged ‘cauliflower rice,’ look at the ingredient list to make sure it doesn’t contain any other ingredients or additives,” says Salazer.

8. Pineapple

Pineapple helps lower blood pressure, a common complication of severe kidney disease, says Machado. “Pineapples also have diuretic properties that help the body eliminate waste products, such as creatinine, that burden the kidneys.”

9. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds