Diet & Dialysis

Diet Guidelines for Patients on Dialysis

While dialysis performs kidney functions, it cannot replicate everything healthy kidneys accomplish. Some fluids and toxins may still accumulate, potentially causing heart disease and reducing treatment effectiveness over time.

Your HKSC physician will develop a personalized dietary plan considering your health and lifestyle. Generally, most dialysis patients must manage intake of the following:

Fluids

Excess fluid can complicate dialysis treatment and cause swelling, breathing difficulties, and heart failure. Remember that fluids extend beyond water and beverages to include foods like ice cream and water-rich items such as soup, celery, or watermelon. Chewing gum or gargling with cold mouthwash are ways to help manage thirst between treatments.

Phosphorus

Working alongside calcium and vitamin D, phosphorus maintains bone health. Excessive phosphorus weakens bones and causes bone disease. Dialysis patients should limit intake of protein-rich foods, including red meat, chicken, cheese, fish, and plant-based options like sunflower, chia, and pumpkin seeds.

Potassium

While muscles require potassium, excessive amounts risk heart attacks, while deficiency causes muscle cramps, weakness, and irregular heartbeats. Potassium-rich foods include acorn squash, avocados, bananas, coconut water, dried apricots, pomegranates, salmon, spinach, sweet potatoes, and white beans.

Sodium (Salt)

Sodium regulates blood fluid levels, but non-functioning kidneys cannot manage excess fluid buildup. Reduce salt by avoiding added salt during eating or cooking, eliminating processed meats like ham and bacon, choosing fresh vegetables instead of frozen or canned varieties, and avoiding pickled foods and condiments.

Hemodialysis patients must strictly limit diets since treatment occurs only three times weekly. Peritoneal dialysis patients receiving daily treatments typically face less severe restrictions. Your care team will discuss specific limitations based on treatment type, health concerns, and lifestyle.