Can patients with renal insufficiency drink milk?
Aug 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Guang
Introduction
In general, patients with renal insufficiency can drink milk, but should do so in moderation. Low-fat or fat-free milk should be selected to reduce fat intake. Milk should not be consumed on an empty stomach; instead, it can be consumed with starchy foods such as bread or steamed buns to aid digestion and absorption. If the patient has hyperphosphatemia, low-phosphorus milk should be chosen to avoid excessive phosphorus intake, which may affect the condition.
Generally, patients with renal insufficiency can drink milk, but should do so in moderation. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Milk contains high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients, which can provide essential nutrition for patients with renal insufficiency. High-quality protein helps maintain muscle strength and tissue repair, while calcium and vitamin D promote bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis that may be caused by the disease. Patients with renal insufficiency need to control their protein intake, and since the protein in milk has a high biological utilization rate, moderate consumption can supply necessary nutrients without imposing excessive burden on the kidneys.
Low-fat or fat-free milk should be selected to reduce fat intake. Milk should not be consumed on an empty stomach; it is better to have it with starchy foods such as bread or steamed buns to aid digestion and absorption. If the patient suffers from hyperphosphatemia, low-phosphorus milk should be selected to avoid excessive phosphorus intake, which may negatively affect the condition. If discomfort such as bloating or diarrhea occurs after drinking milk, the amount should be reduced or consumption stopped altogether. Patients with renal insufficiency must strictly follow the guidance of doctors or dietitians regarding their diet and undergo regular monitoring of relevant indicators to ensure dietary safety.
