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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 4 and 5, no dialysis

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.

This week is built for the stricter starting points used at stages 4 and 5 before dialysis: potassium under 2,500 mg, phosphorus under 900 mg, sodium well under 2,000 mg, and still about 56 g of protein (0.8 g per kg for 70 kg), because with diabetes going lower risks muscle loss and lows. It uses refined grains, low-potassium fruit and vegetables in ½-cup portions, egg whites and no foods with phosphate additives. Carbohydrate stays at about 55 g per main meal. If your blood potassium and phosphate are normal, your team may allow more; ask before changing.

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 G5, no dialysis (see Eating well). Every day below was checked against these numbers by scripts/build_handbook.py.

Per day Built to
Protein about 56 g (0.8 g/kg); days stay within 56–58.8 g
Potassium at most 2,500 mg
Phosphorus at most 900 mg
Sodium at most 2,000 mg
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

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 1,751 228 58.0 1,357 607 883 285 14.9
Day 2 1,757 213 57.1 1,530 593 674 236 18.6
Day 3 1,755 226 57.8 1,422 657 1,338 236 12.3
Day 4 1,756 225 58.7 1,558 747 965 499 19.3
Day 5 1,769 207 57.4 1,662 740 919 236 21.0
Day 6 1,849 202 57.2 1,557 645 911 350 13.4
Day 7 1,768 217 57.1 1,733 697 770 236 19.3

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

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Cream of wheat, cooked (cooked without salt) 1¼ cups (314 g) 33 4.5 50 48 19 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Egg white (scrambled) 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Bread, white (toasted) 1 slice (29 g) 14 2.6 37 28 142 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 59 11.3 289 95 226 236
Morning snack Applesauce, unsweetened ¼ cup (61 g) 7 0.1 45 3 1 –
Vanilla wafers 8 wafers (30 g) 22 1.5 30 26 98 –
Morning snack total 29 1.6 75 29 99 –
Lunch Bread, white 2 slices (58 g) 29 5.2 74 56 284 –
Turkey breast, roasted (home-roasted, not deli) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 12.8 106 98 42 –
Mayonnaise 1½ tbsp (21 g) 0 0.2 5 5 132 –
Lettuce, iceberg 1 cup, shredded (72 g) 2 0.6 102 14 7 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw 1 cup, slices (104 g) 4 0.6 152 24 2 –
Pears, canned in juice ¾ cup (186 g) 24 0.6 179 23 8 –
Lunch total 59 20.0 617 219 475 –
Dinner Chicken breast, roasted, skinless 2 oz (57 g) 0 17.8 147 131 43 –
Rice, white, long-grain, cooked 1¼ cups (198 g) 56 5.4 69 85 3 –
Green beans, boiled ¼ cup (32 g) 3 0.6 46 9 1 –
Cauliflower, boiled ¼ cup (31 g) 1 0.6 44 10 5 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Dinner total 59 24.3 305 235 50 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,751 kcal 228 58.0 1,357 607 883 285

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 Grits, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (193 g) 28 3.3 52 38 4 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Egg white 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Peaches, canned in juice 1 cup (248 g) 29 1.6 318 42 10 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 58 8.6 515 90 78 236
Lunch Pasta, cooked 1 cup (124 g) 38 7.2 55 72 1 –
Chicken breast, roasted, skinless 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Bell pepper, green, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 4 0.6 131 15 2 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Lunch total 54 22.0 429 206 37 –
Afternoon snack Saltine crackers 7 crackers (21 g) 16 2.0 32 21 197 –
Cream cheese 2 tbsp (29 g) 2 1.8 38 32 92 –
Afternoon snack total 17 3.8 70 53 289 –
Dinner Cod, Atlantic, cooked 2 oz (57 g) 0 12.9 138 78 44 –
Couscous, cooked 1 cup (157 g) 37 6.0 91 35 8 –
Butter, unsalted 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.2 6 6 4 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Applesauce, unsweetened ½ cup (122 g) 14 0.2 90 6 2 –
Dinner total 56 20.6 433 144 59 –
Evening snack Cake, angel food 1 piece, 1/12 of cake (28 g) 16 1.7 26 91 210 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Evening snack total 27 2.2 83 100 211 –
Day 1,757 kcal 213 57.1 1,530 593 674 236

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 3

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast English muffin, plain 1 muffin (57 g) 26 4.4 75 76 264 –
Egg white (scrambled) 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Cream cheese 2 tbsp (29 g) 2 1.8 38 32 92 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Jam or preserves 1½ tbsp (30 g) 21 0.2 23 6 9 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 55 10.5 394 139 428 236
Lunch Bread, white 2 slices (58 g) 29 5.2 74 56 284 –
Egg, hard-boiled (egg salad) 1 large (50 g) 1 6.3 63 86 62 –
Egg white (in the egg salad) 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Mayonnaise 1½ tbsp (21 g) 0 0.2 5 5 132 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Applesauce, unsweetened ½ cup (122 g) 14 0.2 90 6 2 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ½ cup, about 15 (76 g) 14 0.5 144 15 2 –
Lunch total 58 16.6 546 187 541 –
Afternoon snack Rice cakes, plain, unsalted 2 cakes (18 g) 15 1.5 52 65 5 –
Jam or preserves 1 tbsp (20 g) 14 0.1 15 4 6 –
Afternoon snack total 29 1.6 67 69 11 –
Dinner Beef, chuck pot roast, braised (trimmed, no gravy) 2 oz (57 g) 0 19.7 156 121 32 –
Rice, white, long-grain, cooked ⅔ cup (105 g) 30 2.9 37 45 1 –
Cabbage, boiled ¼ cup, shredded (38 g) 2 0.5 74 13 3 –
Hamburger or hot dog bun (dinner roll) 1 roll (44 g) 22 4.3 54 44 217 –
Butter, unsalted 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.2 6 6 4 –
Dinner total 54 27.5 326 229 257 –
Evening snack Pears, canned in juice ¼ cup (62 g) 8 0.2 60 8 3 –
Vanilla wafers 8 wafers (30 g) 22 1.5 30 26 98 –
Evening snack total 30 1.7 90 34 101 –
Day 1,755 kcal 226 57.8 1,422 657 1,338 236

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

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Corn flakes cereal 1¼ cups (35 g) 31 2.1 38 11 200 –
Rice milk, unsweetened (check the label for added phosphate) 1 cup (240 g) 22 0.7 65 134 94 214
Blueberries, raw ¼ cup (37 g) 5 0.3 29 5 1 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 59 3.1 219 152 302 450
Lunch Hamburger or hot dog bun 1 roll (44 g) 22 4.3 54 44 217 –
Ground beef, 90% lean, patty (patty, no salt added) 2 oz (57 g) 0 14.8 189 115 39 –
Lettuce, iceberg ½ cup, shredded (36 g) 1 0.3 51 7 4 –
Onion, raw ¼ cup, chopped (40 g) 4 0.5 59 12 2 –
Ketchup, low sodium 1 tbsp (17 g) 5 0.2 48 4 3 –
Cabbage, raw (coleslaw) 1 cup, shredded (70 g) 4 0.9 119 18 13 –
Mayonnaise (coleslaw dressing) 1½ tbsp (21 g) 0 0.2 5 5 132 –
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 –
Blueberries, raw ¾ cup (111 g) 16 0.8 86 14 2 –
Lunch total 58 22.4 736 236 412 –
Afternoon snack Graham crackers 1 large rectangle (14 g) 11 1.0 24 26 72 –
Cream cheese 2 tbsp (29 g) 2 1.8 38 32 92 –
Applesauce, unsweetened ½ cup (122 g) 14 0.2 90 6 2 –
Afternoon snack total 26 3.0 152 64 166 –
Dinner Chicken breast, roasted, skinless (baked with garlic and pepper) 2 oz (57 g) 0 17.8 147 131 43 –
Pasta, cooked 1⅓ cups (165 g) 51 9.6 73 96 1 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Garlic, raw 2 cloves (6 g) 2 0.4 24 10 2 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Cauliflower, boiled ¼ cup (31 g) 1 0.6 44 10 5 –
Dinner total 59 29.6 380 265 52 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,756 kcal 225 58.7 1,558 747 965 499

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 Cream of wheat, cooked (cooked without salt) 1¼ cups (314 g) 33 4.5 50 48 19 –
Raspberries, raw ½ cup (62 g) 7 0.7 93 18 1 –
Bread, white (toasted) 1 slice (29 g) 14 2.6 37 28 142 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Egg, hard-boiled 1 large (50 g) 1 6.3 63 86 62 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 56 14.2 334 185 233 236
Lunch Pita bread, white 1 large, 6-1/2 in (60 g) 33 5.5 72 58 322 –
Tuna, light, canned in water, drained 2 oz (57 g) 0 11.0 101 79 140 –
Mayonnaise 1½ tbsp (21 g) 0 0.2 5 5 132 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Lettuce, iceberg 1 cup, shredded (72 g) 2 0.6 102 14 7 –
Plum, raw 1 fruit (66 g) 8 0.5 104 11 0 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Lunch total 56 18.6 517 187 603 –
Afternoon snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted (unsalted, melted) 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Afternoon snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Dinner Chicken thigh, roasted, skinless (stir-fried) 2 oz (57 g) 0 14.0 153 131 60 –
Rice, white, long-grain, cooked 1 cup (158 g) 45 4.3 55 68 2 –
Bell pepper, green, raw ¼ cup, chopped (38 g) 2 0.3 66 8 1 –
Onion, raw ¼ cup, chopped (40 g) 4 0.5 59 12 2 –
Cabbage, boiled ½ cup, shredded (75 g) 4 1.0 147 25 6 –
Canola oil 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Garlic, raw 1 clove (3 g) 1 0.2 12 5 1 –
Dinner total 55 20.3 491 248 72 –
Evening snack Peaches, canned in juice ¾ cup (186 g) 21 1.2 239 32 8 –
Evening snack total 21 1.2 239 32 8 –
Day 1,769 kcal 207 57.4 1,662 740 919 236

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 6

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Bagel, plain ½ bagel (50 g) 26 5.3 53 49 209 –
Cream cheese 2 tbsp (29 g) 2 1.8 38 32 92 –
Egg white (scrambled) 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Pineapple, canned in juice ¾ cup (188 g) 29 0.8 228 12 2 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 58 11.4 461 100 365 236
Lunch Rice, white, long-grain, cooked ¾ cup (119 g) 33 3.2 41 51 2 –
Egg, scrambled (fried rice) 1 large (61 g) 1 6.1 81 101 88 –
Egg white 1 large (33 g) 0 3.6 54 5 55 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Onion, raw ½ cup, chopped (80 g) 8 0.9 117 23 3 –
Canola oil 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Clementine, raw 1 fruit (74 g) 9 0.6 131 16 1 –
Lunch total 56 15.6 516 214 150 –
Afternoon snack Saltine crackers 5 crackers (15 g) 11 1.4 23 15 141 –
Cream cheese 2 tbsp (29 g) 2 1.8 38 32 92 –
Afternoon snack total 13 3.2 61 47 233 –
Dinner Ground turkey, 93% lean, patty (browned with garlic) 2 oz (57 g) 0 14.7 140 119 51 –
Pasta, cooked 1¼ cups (155 g) 48 9.0 69 90 1 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Garlic, raw 2 cloves (6 g) 2 0.4 24 10 2 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Lettuce, romaine (side salad) 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Vinegar, cider 1 tbsp (15 g) 0 0.0 11 1 1 –
Dinner total 56 25.4 518 254 63 –
Evening snack Gelatin dessert (Jell-O) ½ cup (135 g) 19 1.6 1 30 101 114
Evening snack total 19 1.6 1 30 101 114
Day 1,849 kcal 202 57.2 1,557 645 911 350

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 Grits, cooked (cooked without salt) 1¼ cups (321 g) 47 5.5 86 64 6 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Egg, scrambled 1 large (61 g) 1 6.1 81 101 88 –
Blueberries, raw ¼ cup (37 g) 5 0.3 29 5 1 –
Tea, black, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 1 0.0 88 2 7 236
Breakfast total 54 12.0 287 174 104 236
Lunch Bread, white 2 slices (58 g) 29 5.2 74 56 284 –
Chicken breast, roasted, skinless (sliced, home-cooked) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Mayonnaise 1½ tbsp (21 g) 0 0.2 5 5 132 –
Lettuce, iceberg 1 cup, shredded (72 g) 2 0.6 102 14 7 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ¾ cup, slices (78 g) 3 0.4 114 18 2 –
Applesauce, unsweetened ¾ cup (183 g) 21 0.3 135 9 3 –
Lunch total 54 20.1 540 200 460 –
Afternoon snack Vanilla wafers 8 wafers (30 g) 22 1.5 30 26 98 –
Cream cheese 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.9 19 16 46 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Afternoon snack total 28 2.9 165 60 145 –
Dinner Pork loin chop, broiled 2 oz (57 g) 0 15.1 202 129 32 –
Rice, white, long-grain, cooked ¾ cup (119 g) 33 3.2 41 51 2 –
Applesauce, unsweetened ½ cup (122 g) 14 0.2 90 6 2 –
Cauliflower, boiled ¾ cup (93 g) 4 1.7 132 30 14 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Butter, unsalted 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.2 6 6 4 –
Dinner total 56 21.6 563 240 54 –
Evening snack Pears, canned in juice ¾ cup (186 g) 24 0.6 179 23 8 –
Evening snack total 24 0.6 179 23 8 –
Day 1,768 kcal 217 57.1 1,733 697 770 236

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.

Swaps that keep the numbers

  • Egg whites for a whole egg: each white has about 3.6 g protein and 5 mg phosphorus; a whole hard-boiled egg has 6.3 g protein and 86 mg phosphorus.
  • Fruit: swap ½ cup for ½ cup within applesauce, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, canned pears and canned peaches; check the carbohydrate.
  • Vegetables: green beans, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, onion and peppers swap freely at ½ cup.
  • Rice milk: use only a brand without phosphate in the ingredient list; almond milk is lower in phosphorus but has more potassium and sodium.

Make it yours

  • Scale for your weight. Protein here is 0.8 g per kg for 70 kg: about 48 g a day at 60 kg and 64 g at 80 kg. Change the meat by about ½ oz at lunch and dinner for each 5 kg. Ask your dietitian which weight to use.
  • 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.