How a Plant-Based Diet Could Slash Your Risk of Kidney Disease

A global diet plan designed to improve health and protect the planet may also lower the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet, first introduced in 2019 and updated in 2025, focuses on plant-based foods while limiting animal products. Recent studies suggest this eating pattern could help prevent CKD, a condition affecting around 800 million adults worldwide.

The EAT-Lancet diet was created as a sustainable, healthy reference diet that stays within safe environmental limits. It recommends at least 80% of daily calories come from plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oils. Animal products like seafood and poultry are included in small amounts, while red meat is capped at 300g per week.

The diet avoids processed meats, added sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables. Its high fibre content helps reduce obesity, diabetes, and other risk factors linked to CKD. Research shows that plant-forward eating lowers inflammation, improves lipid metabolism, and eases metabolic stress on the kidneys. A recent study found that people following the EAT-Lancet diet closely had a reduced risk of developing CKD. The diet’s structure—rich in whole foods and low in processed ingredients—aligns with guidelines for kidney health. Experts believe its balance of nutrients could prevent millions of diet-related deaths each year while also benefiting the environment.

The updated EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet 2.0 offers a way to eat that supports both personal and planetary health. By focusing on plants and limiting processed foods, it may help cut CKD risk alongside other chronic diseases. With CKD affecting hundreds of millions globally, dietary changes like these could play a key role in prevention.