Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your fluids for release via your urine. If you experience kidney damage that leads to kidney disease, your physician may recommend initiating a fluid restriction diet. This diet limits your daily fluid intake from foods and fluids such as water. Before beginning a fluid restriction diet, however, always check with your physician to ensure you are taking in the amount of fluid that helps you stay healthy, yet prevents adverse symptoms related to fluid buildup.
Salty and Spicy Foods
While salty and spicy foods may not contain significant amounts of water, they can make you thirsty. Your physician may recommend that you do not consume foods known to fall into either category. Restrictions would include convenience foods, such as French fries and canned or frozen foods, which tend to be preserved with sodium. Foods that contain pepper, chili powder or chili peppers all may be too spicy for your fluid restriction diet. Examples include chili, tamales and some gumbos. Avoid adding extra salt to food whenever possible to reduce the likelihood you will become thirsty.
Fruits
Many fruits tend to have high water content and should be avoided if you are on a fluid restriction diet. Examples include melons such as watermelons, honeydew melons and cantaloupes. Grapes and pineapples also are high in water content. Instead of eating these high-water fruits, try freezing fruits that you can eat, such as berries. Doing this may help reduce thirst and dry mouth without introducing excess fluids into your daily intake.
High-Water Foods
Foods made with water or that have different fluid sources as their largest ingredients should be avoided on a fluid restriction diet. Forgo foods such as gelatin and soups. DaVita also recommends skipping gravy and frozen foods such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice cream bars and ice pops.
Tips
Restricting fluid intake and fluid-containing foods in your diet can be uncomfortable. Your physician may suggest some tips for avoiding symptoms such as dry mouth and thirst. Examples include freezing a portion of your allotted water in an ice cube tray and sucking on the ice cubes. Keeping temperatures cool in your home and always drinking cold beverages also can help.
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