Sodium is a mineral found naturally in food. Healthy kidneys remove excess sodium, which helps you maintain your fluid balance. When your kidneys have failed and no longer balance sodium and fluid levels in the body, restricting sodium is necessary. Too much sodium in your diet can lead to high blood pressure and excessive thirst and fluid gains in between your dialysis treatments, which can lead to an uncomfortable dialysis treatment. The amount of sodium a person on dialysis is allowed varies from 2 to 3 grams per day, depending on your urine output. The more you urinate, the more sodium is removed in the urine and the more sodium that is allowed in your diet, says Maria Karalis, a registered dietitian and certified renal specialist with Fresenius Medical Care, a provider of kidney dialysis services. Work with the dietitian at your dialysis clinic to help limit your sodium intake and determine how much is safe for you.
Table Salt
The majority of your sodium intake comes from salt. Avoid using salt in cooking and at the table. Use dried herbs, powders and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, pepper, oregano, basil and paprika, instead of salt. Avoid seasonings that have salt in the name, such as garlic salt, onion salt, celery salt or seasoning salt, because these seasonings are just as high in sodium as table salt. Be aware of salt substitutes or reduced salt seasonings, as they contain high amounts of potassium chloride, which can increase the potassium level in your blood in between dialysis treatments.
Salty Foods
Many snacks are salty, including potato chips, pretzels, crackers, popcorn and tortilla chips. Luckily, low sodium versions of these foods are available and make a better choice. Unsalted variations are even better. Replace regular pretzels with unsalted pretzels and get crackers with unsalted tops. If you make popcorn at home, do not add salt; try adding a seasoning such as garlic or red pepper. Sauces such as barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and teriyaki and oyster sauce are very high in sodium. Reduced sodium versions are available, but still remain high.
Sodium Additives
It is easy to exceed your sodium restriction without using salt or eating salty foods because manufacturers put sodium additives in foods to improve taste and extend shelf life. Processed foods and frozen foods contain high amounts of sodium due to these additives. Processed meats such as deli meats, bologna, sausage, bacon and hot dogs are high in sodium and should be avoided. Ask for low-sodium meats when you go to the deli. Canned vegetables are high in sodium and should be replaced with fresh or frozen vegetables that do not contain sodium. Cooking from scratch, using fresh ingredients and your own seasonings will help cut back on your sodium intake.
Understanding the Food Label
Understanding the terms on the food package will help you make a lower sodium choice. The package will be labeled if the sodium content has been altered. According to the American Dietetic Association, when the label states "Sodium Free," there is less than 5 mg of sodium per serving. "Very Low Sodium" means 35 mg or less per serving. "Low Sodium" is 140 mg or less per serving. "Reduced Sodium" means the sodium level was reduced by 25 percent of the original product. This is a better choice, but may still be too high in sodium. "Light" or "Lite" in sodium means the sodium is reduced by at least 50 percent of the original."
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