Being on dialysis is a huge life adjustment. Between treatments, doctor visits, and managing medications, the last thing you might want to think about is what’s on your plate. However, here’s the truth: what you eat matters more than ever when you are on dialysis. A kidney patient's diet becomes the need of the hour in dialysis patients because, unlike in normal people, where kidneys filter out waste, balance electrolytes, and manage fluids, in dialysis patients, dialysis does that work.
However, it still can’t do everything, which is where your diet becomes a steady and formidable way to help you feel better, stay stronger, and avoid complications. So, let’s take a deep dive into why your food choices really matter and how to make them work for you, not against you.
Dialysis Also Needs Your Support
A lot of people who are on dialysis don’t meet their dietary recommendations- either they are eating too much of what they shouldn’t, or too little of what they need. No wonder fatigue, muscle cramps, and fluid overload become so common.
Although dialysis helps clean your blood, it doesn’t remove every bit of waste or fluid, because let’s face it, even your kidneys don’t do that. That’s where a diet for kidney problems can help fill the gaps. Eating the right foods can help reduce the buildup of things like potassium, phosphorus, and excess fluid between treatments.
Sodium- Small Numbers, Big Impact
Salt might seem harmless, but it can cause major problems like high blood pressure, fluid retention, and swelling. If you have ever felt bloated or short of breath between dialysis sessions, excess sodium might be the culprit. The National Kidney Foundation recommends limiting sodium intake to under 2300 mg per day, which is equivalent to one teaspoon of salt.
(Source: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/caribbean-sodium-and-kidney-diet)
Balance Your Potassium and Phosphorus
Too much potassium can affect your heart rhythm, and a whole lot of phosphorus can weaken your bones and cause itchy skin. Unfortunately, both of these are found in many “healthy” foods like bananas, tomatoes, dairy, nuts and beans. Thus, reach out to professionals for a kidney failure diet, and they can give you a list of high and low-potassium/phosphorus foods.
Diet Chart for Kidney Patients
To make it easier for you, here’s a diet chart you can follow:
| Nutrient | Eat This | Limit/Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Eggs, fish, chicken, tofu | Processed meats, red meat in excess |
| Sodium | Herbs, fresh veggies, and homemade meals | Canned foods, salty snacks, and fast food |
| Potassium | Apples, berries, cauliflower | Bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes |
| Phosphorus | Rice, pasta, and non-dairy creamers | Dairy, nuts, seeds, dark colas |
| Fluids | Small sips, frozen grapes, ice chips | Excess water, soups, watermelon, soda |
Fluids: It’s Not Just What You Drink
On dialysis, managing fluids is crucial. It’s not just about how much water you drink; things like soups, fruits, ice, and even some veggies count toward your daily fluid intake. Having too much fluid can cause fluid overload, swelling, and even pressure on your heart.
Dialysis isn’t easy, but the right diet can make a huge difference in how you feel day to day. Need more information? Contact our team at NephroPlus today!
