Caring for a patient with renal disease requires an understanding of the basics renal nutritional therapy. The goals of nutritional therapy include maintaining renal function, preventing complications, and providing adequate nutrients. Because cardiovascular disease and hypertension are highly correlated with renal disease, sodium reduction is a major goal of the renal diet. Particularly in early stage renal disease, the Mediterranean diet and the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) eating plan may help to prevent disease progression. The role of other nutrients such as phosphorous, calcium, protein, and potassium will also be discussed.