What is Dialysis Diet
Dialysis is a treatment that cleans your blood. It is used when the kidneys are damaged.
When you need dialysis, you should watch your diet. This is because some nutrients can build up in your blood between treatments and make you sick. These nutrients are:
- Potassium.
- Phosphorus.
- Sodium.
Your doctor or dietitian will:
- Tell you how much of these you can have.
- Tell you if you need to look out for other nutrients too.
- Help you plan meals.
- Tell you how much to drink each day.
What do I need to know about this diet?
- Limit potassium. Potassium is in milk, fruits, and vegetables.
- Limit phosphorus. Phosphorus is in milk, cheese, beans, nuts, and carbonated beverages.
- Limit salt (sodium). Foods that have a lot sodium include processed and cured meats, ready-made frozen meals, canned vegetables, and salty snack foods.
- Do notuse salt substitutes.
- Try not to eat whole-grain foods and foods that have a lot of fiber.
- Follow
your doctor’s instructions about how much to drink. You may be told to:
- Write down what you drink.
- Write down foods you eat that are made mostly from water, such as gelatin and soups.
- Drink from small cups.
- Ask your doctor if you should take a medicine that binds phosphorus.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements only as told by your doctor.
- Eat meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Limit nuts and beans.
- Before you cook potatoes, cut them into small pieces. Then boil them in unsalted water.
- Drain all fluid from cooked vegetables and canned fruits before you eat them.
What foods can I eat?
Grains
White bread. White rice. Cooked cereal. Unsalted popcorn. Tortillas. Pasta.
Vegetables
Fresh or frozen broccoli, carrots, and green beans. Cabbage. Cauliflower. Celery. Cucumbers. Eggplant. Radishes. Zucchini.
Fruits
Apples. Fresh or frozen berries. Fresh or canned pears, peaches, and pineapple. Grapes. Plums.
Meats and Other Protein Sources
Fresh or frozen beef, pork, chicken, and fish. Eggs. Low-sodium canned tuna or salmon.
Dairy
Cream cheese. Heavy cream. Ricotta cheese.
Beverages
Apple cider. Cranberry juice. Grape juice. Lemonade. Black coffee.
Condiments
Herbs. Spices. Jam and jelly. Honey.
Sweets and Desserts
Sherbet. Cakes. Cookies.
Fats and Oils
Olive oil, canola oil, and safflower oil.
Other
Non-dairy creamer. Non-dairy whipped topping. Homemade broth without salt.
The items listed above may not be a complete list of recommended foods or beverages. Contact your dietitian for more options.
What foods are not recommended?
Grains
Whole-grain bread. Whole-grain pasta. High-fiber cereal.
Vegetables
Potatoes. Beets. Tomatoes. Winter squash and pumpkin. Asparagus. Spinach. Parsnips.
Fruits
Star fruit. Bananas. Oranges. Kiwi. Nectarines. Prunes. Melon. Dried fruit. Avocado.
Meats and Other Protein Sources
Canned, smoked, and cured meats. Packaged luncheon meat. Sardines. Nuts and seeds. Peanut butter. Beans and legumes.
Dairy
Milk. Buttermilk. Yogurt. Cheese and cottage cheese. Processed cheese spreads.
Beverages
Orange juice. Prune juice. Carbonated soft drinks.
Condiments
Salt. Salt substitutes. Soy sauce.
Sweets and Desserts
Ice cream. Chocolate. Candied nuts.
Fats and Oils
Butter. Margarine.
Other
Ready-made frozen meals. Canned soups.
