One needs to have a kidney-friendly meal plan when going through Dialysis .
Here is a list of common food items and how “kidney-friendly” they are
- Salt & Sodium Use less salt and eat fewer salty foods: This might help in controlling your blood pressure. It might also help reduce fluid weight gains between dialysis sessions since salt increases thirst and causes the body to retain fluid.
- Use herbs, spices, and low-salt flavor enhancers as salt substitutes
- But avoid salt substitutes made with potassium.
- Meat/Protein If you are going through dialysis you need to eat more protein. Protein can help you keep healthy blood protein levels and improve your health. Protein also helps keep your muscles strong, helps wounds heal faster, strengthens your immune system, and helps improve overall health. Eat protein rich food (meat, fish, poultry, fresh pork, or eggs) at every meal, or about 8-10 ounces of high protein foods every day.
- Sea bass is a good source of high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Egg whites are rich in high-quality proteins and also make a Kidney-friendly food.
- Chicken (skinless) is a better option than chicken with skin-on as it is low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Cereals/Bread Unless you need to limit your calorie intake for weight loss and/or manage carbohydrate intake for blood sugar control, you may eat, cereals as your heart desires. Grains, cereals, and breads are a good source of calories.
- Fruit/Juice All fruits have some amount of potassium, but certain fruits have more than others which should be limited or completely avoided. Limiting potassium helps protect heart. Some good fruits are:
- Pineapple: is a low potassium fruit and a great addition to a kidney-friendly diet. it also is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, bromelain, and manganese.
- Blueberries are superfood with multiple nutrients and antioxidants and prevent from many health conditions, including diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. This fruit is an excellent addition to your kidney-friendly diet because it is low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
- Vegetables/Salads Similar to fruits all vegetables also have some potassium, but certain vegetables have more than others and should be limited or totally avoided. Some such vegetables are
- Cauliflower is rich in many nutrients, such as Vitamin C, K, and B. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Garlic is a perfect alternative to salt and adds a great flavor to any food. Moreover, it also comes loaded with vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Onions are good taste enhancers, especially for Kidney-friendly diet. Plus, onions are rich in B vitamins and manganese.
- Dessert Depending on your calorie needs, Pies, cookies, sherbet, and cakes are good choices. Limiting dairy-based desserts and ones made of chocolate, nuts, and bananas is recommended.
On the whole a balanced diet, is necessary for for a Dialysis Patient. For more details please consult your nephrologist.
