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Reviewed by

Dr. Uttayan Chakrabarti

Consultant - Nephrologist and Transplant Physician

Manipal Hospitals, EM Bypass

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The Dialysis Diet: Foods, Fluids, and Restrictions Every Kidney Patient Needs to Follow

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Diet is a key component in maintaining overall health and well-being. A proper diet not only focuses on maintaining calories, but it is also meant to provide optimum nutrition fit for each person’s individual needs. For someone undergoing dialysis, a proper dialysis diet plan is essential for maintaining nutritional levels while also cutting out foods that could be harmful for their kidneys. This blog highlights the importance of a proper diet plan for those undergoing dialysis for a thorough understanding of suitable foods, proper fluid management, and what to avoid.

Understanding the Dialysis Diet Plan

The dialysis diet plan is significantly different from a regular diet plan. A dialysis diet plan focuses on nutrition, fluid management, and most importantly, managing sodium, phosphorus and potassium levels. A diet plan for a dialysis patient focuses on:

dialysis diet guide for kidney patients

Prevention of waste build-up
Balancing nutrition
Maintaining fluid balance
Controlling Blood Pressure
Improving energy levels and overall wellbeing
Managing complications, like anaemia and bone disease.

Managing Fluid Intake

One of the most challenging aspects of undergoing dialysis is fluid restriction in dialysis patients. Your kidneys are responsible for eliminating excess water from your body through urine. But when kidneys malfunction, they are unable to filter out excess water, which can cause fluid build-up inside the body, leading to swelling and causing strain to your heart and lungs.

Some simple tips for managing fluid intake are:

Sip liquids slowly and use small cups.
Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash without swallowing.
Suck on ice chips or hard candy.
Brush your teeth frequently to keep your mouth fresh.
Avoid salty foods, as they increase thirst.

Key Components of a Dialysis Diet Plan

The main focus of a dialysis diet plan is to maintain protein, potassium, phosphorus and sodium levels in the body.

Protein

As dialysis removes protein from the body, it is essential to make sure that a proper amount of protein is consumed to prevent malnutrition and avoid muscle mass loss. Dialysis patients require a high amount of protein to compensate for its loss during treatment.

Some good sources of protein for dialysis patients are:

Eggs
Lean meat
Fish
Low-fat milk and dairy products
Plant-based protein sources like nuts, soy and beans

It is important to note that some of these protein sources may also be high in phosphorus, especially dairy products. Thus, it is essential to consume them carefully under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential component for nerves and proper heart function. However, the kidneys of a dialysis patient cannot filter out excess potassium. Hence, it is important to abide by the recommendation of your doctor or nutritionist for the permitted amount of potassium to be included in your diet.

Some safe sources of potassium that can be consumed as part of your dialysis diet plan may include:

Fruits like apples, persimmons, pineapples, peaches and berries (blueberries, strawberries, etc.).
Vegetables like cucumber, leafy greens, cabbage, radish, and carrots.
Low-fat dairy products like low-fat milk and curd.

Canned, packaged, and processed foods should be avoided, as many of them have very high amounts of potassium. A process called 'leaching' (peeling, chopping, soaking, and boiling) can reduce potassium content in some vegetables.

Phosphorus

Kidney failure can cause phosphorus to build up by drawing calcium from bones, which can cause weakness. It also leads to itchy skin, joint pain, and hardened blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. Identifying high-phosphorus foods and removing them from the dialysis diet plan is essential for maintaining health.

Some safe choices for phosphorus include:

Proteins: Lean meats, chicken, fish, egg whites.
Fruits and Vegetables: Mostly fresh varieties of green beans, celery, parsnips, lettuce and more.
Refined Grains: White bread, white rice, and pasta.

Your doctor may recommend phosphate binders to be taken with meals to prevent excess phosphorus absorption.

Sodium

Sodium, principally sourced from salt, is a direct contributor of water retention in the body. Thus, it is essential to limit salt consumption. Some ways by which you can avoid excess salt consumption are:

Limit Processed Foods: These are high in hidden sodium and can increase thirst.
Avoid Salt Substitutes: They contain high amounts of potassium, which can be dangerous.
Season with Herbs & Spices: Use fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and salt-free blends while cooking.
Measure Fluid Intake: Monitor all liquids, including soups and high-water fruits.

Conclusion

Your health journey with kidney complications is full of challenges. A proper dialysis diet plan is essential for providing nutrition and maintaining fluid balance in the body. At Manipal Hospitals EM Bypass, our Department of Nephrology is powered by expert nephrologists and dietary specialists who create personalised treatment and diet plans for each patient’s individual needs. If you are concerned about your kidney health and are looking for expert advice, book an appointment at Manipal Hospitals EM Bypass today.