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Are sweet potatoes good for kidneys?
Yes, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins that are beneficial to people with kidney disease.
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Are sweet potatoes high in oxalates?
Yes, sweet potatoes are high oxalate foods. A 100g portion of sweet potato contains approximately 85.4mg of soluble oxalate (Source). If you are prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, you should avoid consuming sweet potatoes.
Are sweet potatoes high in potassium?
One half cup of cooked sweet potatoes contains 475mg of potassium making it a high potassium vegetable.
However, if you have kidney disease, you should not restrict your intake of fruits and vegetables because of potassium content unless instructed by your kidney dietitian or healthcare provider. Many people who have kidney disease do not need to restrict their intake of potassium. There are many other factors that could cause you to have high potassium levels that are not related to the food you eat. You can learn more about potassium and kidney disease through our low cost course.
Are sweet potatoes high in phosphorus?
No. One half cup of sweet potatoes contains about 54mg of phosphorus. The phosphorus found in sweet potatoes is natural and poorly absorbed by the body, so it is considered a low phosphorus food.
What are the benefits of sweet potatoes?
- Sweet potatoes contain vitamins and antioxidants. Antioxidants consumed through fruits and vegetables are considered to have protective effects against many chronic diseases.
- Sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber. Fiber is important for gut health as well as helping the body maintain potassium levels.
- Research shows that a low intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of developing kidney failure in people with kidney disease (as well as those who don’t have kidney disease.
Healthy ways to eat sweet potatoes
- Roast them! Slice them up, coat with olive oil, and roast until tender. You can even pair them with a kidney friendly dipping sauce like with did with our Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Mayo (just be sure to use a kidney friendly mayo!)
- Dice them up to make a veggie packed hash like we did with our Low Protein Sweet Potato Hash with Sausage
High and Low Potassium Fruit and Vegetable Tool
Looking for more information on other kidney friendly fruits and vegetables? Check out our Fruit and Vegetable Potassium Tool.
