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Draft: not yet reviewed by a clinician

Use this page to prepare questions for your care team. It does not replace their advice. Your own targets and doses come from your nephrologist, diabetes team and renal dietitian.

7-day sample menu: stages 1 and 2

Starting points, not your prescription

These numbers are typical starting points from guidelines. Your nephrologist, diabetes team and renal dietitian set your own numbers from your blood tests, urine output and medicines, and change them as your labs change. If your lab report or your team says something different, they win.

At stages 1 and 2 the kidneys still filter well, so there is no potassium or phosphorus limit unless your blood tests run high. The goals are the ones that slow kidney disease: sodium under 2,000 mg, protein that is enough but not too much (56–70 g for a 70 kg adult, and never more than 1.3 g per kg), and a plant-forward pattern with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans and nuts. This week has fish, poultry or lean beef at one meal on most days, one meat-free day, at least 14 g of fiber per 1,000 kcal and about 55 g of carbohydrate at each main meal. Potassium and phosphorus are shown for information.

The numbers this menu is built to

Built for a reference adult: 70 kg, 170 cm, type 1 diabetes, using the app's starting targets for G1 (see Eating well). Every day below was checked against these numbers by scripts/build_handbook.py.

Per day Built to
Protein 56–70 g (0.8–1.0 g/kg)
Sodium at most 2,000 mg
Potassium no limit (shown for information)
Phosphorus no limit (shown for information)
Energy from food 1,750–2,450 kcal
Carbohydrate about 55 g at each main meal (every meal 50–60 g); snacks 10–30 g
Fiber at least 14 g per 1,000 kcal

Also: no foods with phosphate additives.

Week at a glance

Day Energy kcal Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL Fiber g
Day 1 1,850 209 64.6 3,165 1,390 798 345 41.2
Day 2 1,773 224 66.7 3,313 1,387 654 454 45.2
Day 3 1,785 212 63.1 3,261 1,357 1,010 236 39.2
Day 4 1,805 206 64.5 2,843 1,332 928 363 48.3
Day 5 1,811 199 68.6 2,867 1,232 368 462 42.5
Day 6 1,815 205 60.7 2,667 1,056 498 236 41.0
Day 7 1,820 197 67.3 2,540 1,275 674 345 36.4

Amounts are what goes on the plate; meat and fish are cooked weights. Values are USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) figures from the app's food list, so every food can be found in the app by name and logged as shown. Brands vary: when a food has a label, the label wins.

Day 1

Plant-forward does not mean meat-free: one portion of fish or chicken a day fits, with beans, whole grains, nuts and fruit doing the rest. This day has about 41 g of fiber.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Oatmeal, cooked (regular or quick oats) (cooked without salt) 1 cup (234 g) 28 5.9 164 180 9 –
Raspberries, raw ½ cup (62 g) 7 0.7 93 18 1 –
Walnuts 1 oz (28 g) 4 4.3 123 97 1 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat ½ cup (122 g) 6 4.1 171 112 58 109
Banana, raw ½ medium (59 g) 14 0.7 211 13 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 59 15.9 878 427 74 345
Lunch Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Hummus 4 tbsp (60 g) 9 4.6 188 108 256 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Orange, raw ½ fruit (66 g) 8 0.6 119 9 0 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lunch total 56 15.3 1,002 315 598 –
Afternoon snack Pear, raw 1 small (148 g) 23 0.5 172 18 1 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Afternoon snack total 26 3.5 275 86 1 –
Dinner Salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked 3 oz (85 g) 0 18.8 326 214 52 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (152 g) 39 4.1 131 156 6 –
Broccoli, boiled 1 cup, chopped (156 g) 11 3.8 458 104 64 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Dinner total 51 26.8 931 475 122 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted ½ tbsp (7 g) 0 0.1 2 2 1 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 81 88 3 –
Day 1,850 kcal 209 64.6 3,165 1,390 798 345

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 2

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Shredded wheat cereal 1 cup (49 g) 40 5.8 190 188 1 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat 1 cup (244 g) 12 8.1 342 224 115 218
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Walnuts ½ oz (14 g) 2 2.2 62 49 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 59 16.8 826 486 123 454
Lunch Black beans, cooked ½ cup (86 g) 20 7.6 305 120 1 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ½ cup (101 g) 26 2.8 87 104 4 –
Salsa 2 tbsp (36 g) 2 0.5 99 12 256 –
Avocado, raw ¼ avocado (50 g) 4 1.0 242 26 4 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Lunch total 60 13.2 1,023 297 272 –
Afternoon snack Peanut butter 1 tbsp (16 g) 4 3.6 90 54 68 –
Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Afternoon snack total 29 4.1 285 74 70 –
Dinner Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (117 g) 35 7.0 112 149 5 –
Chicken breast, roasted, skinless 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Garlic, raw 2 cloves (6 g) 2 0.4 24 10 2 –
Spinach, raw 2 cups (60 g) 2 1.8 334 30 48 –
Tomato, raw 1 medium (123 g) 5 1.1 292 30 6 –
Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tbsp (5 g) 1 1.4 9 31 90 –
Peas, green, boiled ½ cup (80 g) 13 4.3 217 94 2 –
Dinner total 57 29.4 1,098 442 185 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,773 kcal 224 66.7 3,313 1,387 654 454

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 3

A meat-free day: lentils at lunch and tofu at dinner give about 63 g of protein.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Peanut butter 2 tbsp (32 g) 7 7.1 179 107 136 –
Banana, raw ½ medium (59 g) 14 0.7 211 13 1 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 54 16.6 784 281 435 236
Lunch Lentils, cooked ½ cup (99 g) 20 8.9 365 178 2 –
Quinoa, cooked (cooked without salt) 0.4 cup (74 g) 16 3.2 127 112 5 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Olive oil 1½ tbsp (20 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ½ cup, about 15 (76 g) 14 0.5 144 15 2 –
Lunch total 59 14.3 1,032 353 16 –
Afternoon snack Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Hummus 2 tbsp (30 g) 5 2.3 94 54 128 –
Crackers, whole-wheat 4 crackers (19 g) 13 2.0 65 62 149 –
Afternoon snack total 23 4.9 354 137 319 –
Dinner Tofu, firm ½ block (162 g) 5 14.6 240 196 20 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (152 g) 39 4.1 131 156 6 –
Broccoli, boiled ½ cup, chopped (78 g) 6 1.9 229 52 32 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Mushrooms, white, raw 1 cup, pieces (70 g) 2 2.2 223 60 4 –
Soy sauce, reduced sodium (1 tsp in the stir-fry) ⅓ tbsp (5 g) 0 0.4 17 8 170 –
Canola oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Garlic, raw 1 clove (3 g) 1 0.2 12 5 1 –
Dinner total 57 24.2 1,009 497 236 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,785 kcal 212 63.1 3,261 1,357 1,010 236

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 4

Bean tacos: two corn tortillas, ½ cup of black beans and a little cheese make a full plate for about 57 g of carbohydrate.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Oatmeal, cooked (regular or quick oats) (cooked without salt) 1 cup (234 g) 28 5.9 164 180 9 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Chia seeds 1 tbsp (12 g) 5 2.0 49 103 2 –
Almond milk, unsweetened ½ cup (131 g) 2 0.5 88 12 95 127
Walnuts 1 oz (28 g) 4 4.3 123 97 1 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 55 14.0 713 426 114 363
Lunch Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Turkey breast, roasted (home-roasted, not deli) 2 oz (57 g) 0 17.1 141 131 56 –
Mayonnaise 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 88 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Lunch total 57 26.8 763 319 445 –
Afternoon snack Orange, raw 1 fruit (131 g) 15 1.2 237 18 0 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Afternoon snack total 18 4.2 340 86 0 –
Dinner Tortilla, corn 2 tortillas (52 g) 24 3.0 80 164 6 –
Black beans, cooked ½ cup (86 g) 20 7.6 305 120 1 –
Avocado, raw ¼ avocado (50 g) 4 1.0 242 26 4 –
Salsa 2 tbsp (36 g) 2 0.5 99 12 256 –
Lettuce, iceberg ½ cup, shredded (36 g) 1 0.3 51 7 4 –
Cheese, cheddar ½ oz (14 g) 0 3.2 11 64 92 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Dinner total 57 16.3 946 413 365 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,805 kcal 206 64.5 2,843 1,332 928 363

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 5

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Shredded wheat cereal 1 cup (49 g) 40 5.8 190 188 1 –
Soy milk, unsweetened 1 cup (243 g) 4 6.9 292 78 90 226
Raspberries, raw ½ cup (62 g) 7 0.7 93 18 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 51 13.7 691 291 97 462
Lunch Bread, whole-wheat 1 slice (32 g) 14 4.0 81 68 146 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Chickpeas (garbanzo), cooked ½ cup (82 g) 23 7.3 239 138 6 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ¼ cup (38 g) 7 0.3 72 8 1 –
Avocado, raw ¼ avocado (50 g) 4 1.0 242 26 4 –
Lunch total 54 14.2 991 285 167 –
Afternoon snack Greek yogurt, plain, nonfat ½ container (85 g) 3 8.7 120 115 31 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Afternoon snack total 14 9.2 177 124 32 –
Dinner Cod, Atlantic, cooked 2½ oz (71 g) 0 16.2 172 97 55 –
Quinoa, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (185 g) 39 8.1 318 281 13 –
Green beans, boiled 1 cup (126 g) 10 2.4 184 36 2 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Dinner total 50 26.8 690 415 70 –
Evening snack Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Walnuts 1 oz (28 g) 4 4.3 123 97 1 –
Evening snack total 29 4.8 318 117 3 –
Day 1,811 kcal 199 68.6 2,867 1,232 368 462

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 6

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Egg, scrambled 1 large (61 g) 1 6.1 81 101 88 –
Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Orange, raw 1 fruit (131 g) 15 1.2 237 18 0 –
Blackberries, raw ½ cup (72 g) 7 1.0 117 16 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 51 16.7 716 281 388 236
Lunch Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (117 g) 35 7.0 112 149 5 –
Kidney beans, cooked ¼ cup (45 g) 10 3.9 180 62 1 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Olive oil 1½ tbsp (20 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Vinegar, cider 1 tbsp (15 g) 0 0.0 11 1 1 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Lunch total 58 12.4 653 262 12 –
Afternoon snack Pear, raw 1 small (148 g) 23 0.5 172 18 1 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Afternoon snack total 26 3.5 275 86 1 –
Dinner Beef, top sirloin steak, broiled 2 oz (57 g) 0 16.7 209 131 35 –
Sweet potato, baked ½ cup (100 g) 21 2.0 475 54 36 –
Kale, boiled 1 cup (118 g) 6 3.5 170 50 19 –
Olive oil 1½ tbsp (20 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ½ cup (101 g) 26 2.8 87 104 4 –
Dinner total 53 25.0 941 339 94 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,815 kcal 205 60.7 2,667 1,056 498 236

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 7

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Oatmeal, cooked (regular or quick oats) (cooked without salt) 1 cup (234 g) 28 5.9 164 180 9 –
Apple, raw, with skin ½ medium (91 g) 13 0.3 98 10 1 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat ½ cup (122 g) 6 4.1 171 112 58 109
Flaxseed, ground 1 tbsp (7 g) 2 1.3 57 45 2 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 52 14.8 708 422 75 345
Lunch Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Egg, hard-boiled 1 large (50 g) 1 6.3 63 86 62 –
Mayonnaise 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 88 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ½ cup, about 15 (76 g) 14 0.5 144 15 2 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Lunch total 51 16.5 762 290 493 –
Afternoon snack Blackberries, raw 1 cup (144 g) 14 2.0 234 32 2 –
Greek yogurt, plain, nonfat ½ container (85 g) 3 8.7 120 115 31 –
Afternoon snack total 17 10.7 354 147 33 –
Dinner Tilapia, cooked 2 oz (57 g) 0 14.8 215 115 32 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (152 g) 39 4.1 131 156 6 –
Mixed vegetables, frozen, boiled ½ cup (91 g) 12 2.6 154 46 32 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Orange, raw ½ fruit (66 g) 8 0.6 119 9 0 –
Dinner total 59 22.2 634 327 70 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,820 kcal 197 67.3 2,540 1,275 674 345

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Swaps that keep the numbers

  • Beans and lentils swap ½ cup for ½ cup: each has about 20 g carbohydrate and 7–9 g protein.
  • Whole grains swap at the same carbohydrate: ¾ cup brown rice (39 g), 1 cup whole-wheat pasta (35 g), 1 cup quinoa (39 g), 1 cup oatmeal (28 g).
  • Fish or chicken for beans: 2 oz of cooked chicken has about 18 g protein and no carbohydrate, so add a starch to keep the meal's carbohydrate steady, and keep the day under 70 g of protein.
  • Nuts: almonds and walnuts swap ounce for ounce. Choose unsalted.

Make it yours

  • Scale for your weight. Protein here is 0.8–1.0 g per kg for 70 kg: 48–60 g a day at 60 kg and 64–80 g at 80 kg. Keep it under 1.3 g per kg. Ask your dietitian which weight to use.
  • If a blood test shows high potassium or phosphate, your team may ask you to limit them; the stage 3 menu shows how a limited week looks.
  • Carbohydrate stays steady: about the same amount at each main meal every day, so a fixed insulin plan or a carbohydrate ratio works the same way from day to day. Your own amount per meal comes from your diabetes team; keep it consistent and count what you actually eat (Carb counting).
  • Lows come first. Treat a low straight away with glucose tablets or another fast 15 g (Treating a low), even if it adds potassium or fluid. Rescue foods are on top of these menus and are never "against the rules".
  • Hungry, or losing weight without trying? Add calories with olive oil, unsalted butter or more measured starch covered by your usual insulin plan, not with more meat, and tell your dietitian (Eating enough).
  • Season without salt: herbs, spices, garlic and onion powder, lemon and vinegar. Do not use salt substitutes: they contain potassium chloride (Sodium).
  • Log it in the app: every food here is in the app's food list under the same name. Saved meals and "copy day" let you reuse a menu day (Planning and menus).

Sources

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. Facts and sources last checked 2026-10-05.