
44. Oranges and orange juice aren’t the best.
Many people like to enjoy a fresh glass of orange juice with breakfast. Its citrus nature can be the wake-up call some need to start their day. Not only is it delicious, but it has many nutritional attributes. Drinking juices like orange can help the body consume vitamins and minerals that we need without filling you up with solids. It is recommended for adults to eat at least 2 cups of fruits a day to be healthy. However, can you still enjoy your morning juice once you’ve been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and given a renal diet to follow? Let’s find out!

While oranges and orange juice are arguably most well known for their vitamin C contents, they’re also rich in potassium sources. One large orange (184 grams) provides 333 mg of potassium. Not to mention, there is 473 mg of potassium in 1 cup (240 mL) of orange juice. Given their potassium content, oranges and orange juice likely need to be avoided or limited on a renal diet. Grapes, apples, and cranberries, as well as their respective juices, are all excellent substitutes for oranges and orange juice, as they have lower potassium contents. It is still important to always keep the consumption balanced.