By: Kellsey Reed, RDN, LDN, PatientsLikeMe Contributor
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Picture this: It’s Monday morning and you just got out of bed. You feel groggy but know that your morning cup of coffee will do the trick. You turn on your coffee maker and smell that delicious scent.
For many people, coffee is more than just a beverage. It’s a morning ritual to help you kick start your day. If you’re living with chronic kidney disease, you may wonder if avoiding coffee is necessary for you. This blog post will walk you through some key considerations for drinking coffee with chronic kidney disease and will give you tips on how to enjoy it safely without compromising your kidney health.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for regular coffee is relatively similar to that of decaf coffee. One thing to note is that while coffee is low in other nutrients, it does contain a significant amount of potassium. This can add up if you are having more than one cup of coffee at a time. This is important to know if you are living with CKD and need to limit your potassium intake.
1 cup regular coffee
2 calories
0.3 gm protein
4.8 mg calcium
118 mg potassium
7 mg phosphorus
4.8 mg sodium
1 cup decaf coffee
0 calories
0.2 gm protein
4.7 mg calcium
128 mg potassium
2 mg phosphorus
4.74 mg sodium
Practice Moderation
Regular coffee does contain caffeine and when consumed in excess, caffeine can lead to increased blood pressure, dehydration, and additional strain on the kidneys. People with CKD should be mindful of their caffeine intake to avoid potential negative impacts on their kidney health. If you do need to limit your caffeine intake, opt for decaf or half-caf coffee instead. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day to balance out the diuretic effects of caffeine too.
Be Mindful of Creamer, Milks, and Added Sugars
If you enjoy creamer or half and half in your coffee, finding a phosphate additive-free version is important. Dairy and non-dairy creamers can contain added phosphates, which are added to improve texture and shelf life. Too much phosphorus can accumulate in your blood if your kidneys aren’t filtering it efficiently, leading to complications like bone and heart issues. Check out the nutrition label and make sure that there are no additives that contain the word “PHOS”. Or, opt for unsweetened almond, cashew, oat, or rice milk instead of creamer. It can also be helpful to limit your added sugar intake when you have CKD. So, it’s important to be mindful of your portion size of added syrups and sweeteners. Try measuring out your portion size so you know how much sugar you’re getting in your cup of coffee.
Consider your Fluid Intake
Sometimes when you have CKD, drinking too much liquid can overwhelm the kidneys, especially if you’re in the later stages of CKD or on dialysis. While coffee counts toward your daily fluid intake, it’s important to balance it with other beverages and foods to stay within your recommended limits. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about how much fluid you should consume each day and include coffee in that total.
Enjoy smaller portions of coffee to stay within your fluid limit or opt for a small cup instead of a large one if you do need to limit your fluid intake. Try keeping track of all fluids consumed, including water, tea, and any food with high water content.
The Bottom Line
Living with CKD doesn’t mean you have to stop your morning cup of coffee. By practicing moderation, choosing phosphate additive-free creamers, and limiting additives like sugar and syrups, you can still enjoy your daily cup while protecting your kidney health. The key is to personalize your coffee habits to fit your specific dietary needs and stay in close communication with your healthcare team to ensure you’re managing your CKD effectively.