A renal patient--especially one on dialysis--must follow a diet that maintains a healthy balance of vitamins, minerals, fluids and electrolytes, because dialysis alone does not remove all waste from the body. A renal patient's diet must also provide enough calories to stay healthy and prevent the breakdown of body tissues, even if he trying to lose weight.
Carbohydrates
Diabetic or overweight renal patients must limit their daily carbohydrate intake, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. All other renal patients can eat carbs such as breads, vegetables, fruits and grains. They may also eat cookies, pies and cakes, provided they limit their consumption of those made with chocolate, bananas, nut and diary.
Fat
Renal patients can eat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like canola, olive or safflower oil.
Protein
Chronic renal patients may be advised to follow a low-protein diet prior to dialysis. After dialysis begins they will need more protein. Dialysis patients should eat 8 to 10 oz. of high-quality protein foods every day, MedlinePlus recommends. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, eating high quality proteins like egg whites, poultry, fish and meat produces less waste, thus less burden on the kidneys.
Phosphorous and Calcium
Phosphorous and calcium levels are closely monitored in renal patients. High phosphorus levels can lead to low calcium and itching. According to MedlinePlus, renal patients should limit their intake of yogurt, milk and cheese. Foods like cream cheese, sherbet, butter, margarine and ricotta cheese are good low phosphorous foods, as are fruits and vegetables. Calcium supplements and vitamin D may be prescribed to regulate phosphorous and calcium levels, according to the NKUDIC.
Fluids
A person with acute kidney disease does not need to limit his fluid intake. As the disease progresses he must watch his fluid intake to minimize fluid build-up in between dialysis sessions, according to MedlinePlus. The dialysis nurse or doctor will provide guidance on how much fluid to drink daily. Consumption of water-based foods like lettuce, celery, popsicles, soup, popsicles, Jell-O, melons, grapes and ice cream must also be at a minimum.
Sodium
A renal patient must follow a low salt, low sodium diet to prevent high blood pressure, water retention and to stem thirst. According to MedlinePlus, he should choose food products that contain less than 100mg of salt per serving. Using other herbs to flavor food is also recommended. Salt substitutes should be avoided due to their potassium content.
Potassium
High potassium can lead to dangerously abnormal heart rhythms, according to MedlinePlus. Fruits and vegetables such as bananas, honeydew, prunes and nectarines are high in potassium. Renal patients should stick to low-potassium fruits such as pears, apples, pineapple, tangerines, plums, berries or peaches. Low potassium vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, wax and green beans, zucchini, yellow squash and cabbage.
Iron
Renal patients require extra iron. Foods rich in iron include liver, chicken, kidney and lima beans, beef and pork.
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