A nutritious diet is an important part of your dialysis treatment. Eating the right foods can help you to maintain a healthy weight and feel your best. Your doctor will monitor your compliance to your diet. By evaluating blood work results and assessing weight changes between dialysis sessions, your doctor and dietitian will be able to recommend ways to improve your diet to maintain optimal health for your condition.
Kidneys' Function
The kidneys are among the body's most essential organs, responsible for cleaning your blood of waste products and removing them in the urine. When your kidneys do not function properly, either due to disease or injury, it becomes more difficult for them to clear your blood of toxins. The Mayo Clinic states that if your kidneys do not function at all, artificial filtering or dialysis may be needed. Dialysis machines clean your blood but the process also puts a strain on your body and eating right becomes essential.
Why Diet Matters
Eating the proper diet while going to dialysis will help you feel your best and keep your body in top condition. If you go to a dialysis center, you will meet with a registered dietitian who will review a diet plan designed just for you. The diet for a dialysis patient will help to decrease the waste product buildup that occurs in your blood between treatments. Keeping waste products down will help to keep you feeling well between dialysis sessions.
Minerals to Cut Back On
Certain minerals tend to cause the most problems for dialysis patients. Kidneys are responsible for maintaining a steady level of potassium to keep your heart beating at a consistent rate. When your kidneys are not functioning properly you should decrease the amount of potassium you consume. Potassium is found in foods like tomatoes, oranges and bananas.
Sodium is found in salt and processed foods. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure and fluid retention. Decreasing your sodium intake decreases the workload on your heart and decrease your risk of congestive heart failure.
Phosphorus is another mineral affected by dialysis. Too much phosphorus in your blood can pull calcium from your bones and make your skin itch. When phosphorus levels are high, you may be prescribed a phosphorus binder.
Increase Protein
Once you have started dialysis, you should increase the amount of protein you eat. Protein is essential to feeling well while on dialysis. Adequate protein intake will also help to repair tissues, build muscle and help you fight infection. High-quality proteins are the best choice and are found in meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. Your dietitian will review your blood work and let you know how much you should eat.
Fluids
It is important to consume the right amount of fluids. Consuming too much fluid can lead to swelling, weight gain, increases in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Inadequate fluid intake can lead to dehydration. Your doctor will determine how much fluid you should drink each day based on several factors, including the amount of weight you gain between dialysis sessions. The National Kidney Foundation states that fluids consist of any food or beverage that is liquid at room temperature.
References
- Davita: Potassium and Chronic Kdney Disease
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Eat Right to Feel Right on Hemodialysis
- National Kidney Foundation: A to Z Health Guide
- National Kidney Foundation: Chronic Kidney Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Chronic Kidney Failure
- Nephrology Physicians, Inc.: Kidney and Renal Food Lists
