There is plenty you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy and help prevent kidney disease. watch your weight — being overweight increases your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, which in turn increase your risk of kidney disease eat healthily — a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in salt, sugar and fats is best drink plenty of water — avoid sugary drinks (such as soft drinks) exercise regularly do not smoke limit your alcohol intake to less than 2 standard drinks a day find ways to help you relax and reduce stress be aware of your risk factors — if you know you are at risk of kidney disease, you can have your kidneys checked regularly