Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND | Source | The Kidney Dietitian
Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND
Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG, FAND is a Registered Dietitian who specializes in kidney stones. After working in the Section of Nephrology at the University of Chicago, she founded The Kidney Dietitian, an online platform to help educate patients and healthcare providers about science-based nutrition for kidney stones and chronic kidney disease. She is passionate about simplifying kidney nutrition and helping people enjoy food and protecting their kidneys.
She has published her research investigating patient knowledge and adherence to renal diets, plant based diets in kidney disease, and the role of nutrition in kidney stone prevention. As a leader in the field, she is on the board of the Renal Dietetic Practice Group, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and the Dietitian Advisory Group for the National Kidney Fund.
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Boost Your Potassium: Top Foods to Include in Your Diet
Melanie suggests potatoes, avocados, and almonds as excellent potassium sources. She notes, "A medium potato with skin offers nearly 900mg, a large avocado provides about 750mg, and a quarter cup of almonds contains around 200mg." These versatile foods can easily be incorporated into meals to boost potassium intake. -
Carnivore Diet: Health Risks Outweigh Benefits, Says Dietitian
Melanie warns against the carnivore diet, citing its "zero-fiber" content and high saturated fat, which can increase heart disease risk. With no peer-reviewed studies supporting its health claims, she advises against it, favoring plant-forward diets like the Mediterranean or DASH for better health outcomes. -
Excess Protein: A Hidden Risk to Kidney Health
Melanie warns that excessive protein, especially from animal sources, can lead to kidney stones and worsen kidney disease. She emphasizes, "The focus on protein EVERYTHING right now is unnecessary." Melanie advises consulting a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to determine the right protein intake for individual health needs.