11 'Healthy' Fats That Secretly Strain Your Kidneys (Beyond Avocados)

5. Cashews

Cashews are often pitched as a creamy, plant-based source of healthy fat — and they do contain useful nutrients like magnesium and iron. They’re also higher in potassium and phosphorus compared with several other nuts. For people prone to mineral build-up, a handful of cashews can move you faster toward daily targets than you expect. Salted or flavored cashews add sodium, too, which can increase blood pressure and kidney stress. To keep cashews in your routine without unintended consequences, limit portion size to a small handful, rotate with lower-mineral nuts when appropriate, and choose unsalted preparations. If you’re managing CKD, the clearest tool is lab monitoring: tracking potassium and phosphorus tells you whether your current nut intake fits your personal limits.

6. Pistachios

Pistachios are celebrated for their fiber and heart-friendly fats, and they’re easy to snack on straight from the shell. That convenience is part of the risk: it’s effortless to keep eating past a single serving. Pistachios contain potassium and phosphorus at levels that can matter for people with reduced kidney function, and salted varieties add sodium into the mix. For that reason, pistachios can be a hidden source of extra mineral load. Portion awareness helps a lot — measure a serving rather than mindlessly snacking — and choosing unsalted pistachios cuts the sodium issue. If pistachios are a daily habit, bring this up with a nephrologist or renal dietitian so your labs can confirm whether the intake is safe for you.