Renal Diet
Guidelines
Kidney failure
requires a special diet. Because when your kidneys no longer work properly,
waste products and fluids build up in your blood. Although dialysis replaces
the work load of your kidneys and removes these waste products, they can
build up in your body between dialysis, so it's important that you follow
a specific renal diet plan and control the amounts and types of foods
and fluids you take in everyday. For example, in general, it is best to
reduce your intake of certain nutrients such as phosphorous, potassium
and sodium.
Renal Diet
Guidelines
Until you
receive a personal diet plan from the dietitian at your dialysis center,
here are some general renal diet guidelines to follow:
- Salt should
not be added to your food. To season foods use herbs and non-salt type
spices. Avoid salt substitutes, as they are loaded with potassium.
- Include
2-3 servings of high quality protein foods daily (lean meat, fish, poultry
and eggs). One serving is 3 ounces. Limit to a total of 8 ounces daily.
Natural cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss and colby may be used in small
amounts. Avoid processed cheeses (American, Velveeta) and salted, canned
and cured meats (Spam). Regular tuna can be used if rinsed under running
water for two minutes to reduce the sodium.
- Limit
milk, yogurt, ice cream or sherbet to just one 1/2 cup serving a day.
Nondairy creamers such as Coffee Rich® or Mocha Mix® (up to
one cup per day) can be used in addition to milk.
- Avoid
nuts, peanut butter, dried beans, seeds and lentils. These foods are
high in potassium and phosphorus and they make more waste products in
your blood.
- Choose
no more than 3 fruit servings each day. One serving is 1/2 cup or 1
medium fresh fruit. Choose from the list of low potassium fruits.
- Limit
vegetables to 2 servings each day. One serving is 1/2 cup cooked or
1 cup tossed salad. Use the low potassium vegetables listed.
- Bread,
tortillas and no-salt-added type crackers can be used in moderation.
Stay away from the salty snack foods such as pretzels and chips. Avoid
bran cereals: they are high in potassium. Cream of wheat, oatmeal and
plain dry cereals can be used.
- Regular
margarine, mayonnaise, and oils for cooking can be used liberally. Unless
you are diabetic, use sugar, honey and syrup for added energy and calories.
- Limit
fluids to 6 cups or 48 ounces per day (8 ounces = 1 cup). Fluids such
as water, coffee, tea, lemonade, carbonated beverages and cranberry
juice are okay to use - just watch your limit! Foods that melt at room
temperature such as ice, ice cream and jello also need to be counted
as fluid.
- If you
are diabetic, continue to eat meals and snacks at regular times and
avoid concentrated sweets. For insulin reactions don't use orange juice,
it's high in potassium! Cranberry juice is a better choice.
For more
information about Renal diets, see:
Renal Diet Advice 1
Renal Diet Advice 2
Renal Diet Foods
Renal Diet Support
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Source:
"Getting Started
on Your Renal Diet"
© N. Arizona Council on Renal Nutrition, Arizona Dietetic Project
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