Fruits for dialysis patients are safe if recommended by a nutritionist. Fruits for dialysis patients is a comprehensive guide to the fruits that can be consumed by people who are on dialysis. It includes information about what fruits contain potassium, phosphorus and sodium. There are many myths and rumors about which fruits you can and cannot eat during dialysis. This guide debunks many of those myths, providing factual information about which fruits you can have and which ones are too dangerous to eat. Here’s a list of fruits to enjoy during hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis process.
Diet and Nutrition for Kidney Patients
Your kidneys are small in size but perform many crucial functions of your body, including blood filtration, regulating blood pressure, maintaining electrolyte balance, and producing urine. However, certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, along with your lifestyle and diet, tend to cause damage to your kidneys, thus, reducing their functional abilities.
And when your kidneys fail to work as supposed, wastes from food, toxic substances, and fluid happen to accumulate in your body. Therefore, people with renal conditions should maintain a healthy diet.
Research says, nearly 10% of the total population of the world has kidney disease. It makes it a common health concern.
Food for Dialysis Patients
The restrictions associated with a renal diet (food for kidney patients) differ from person to person and the extent of kidney damage. In case you have kidney disease, make sure to get in touch with your doctor and discuss the most suitable diet for you. Most renal (kidney) diets focus on eliminating wastes and toxins in the blood. Therefore, while on dialysis, your doctor is likely to recommend limiting the following:
- Sodium. Sodium is a major constituent of many food items and, of course, table salt. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys are unable to drain out the excess sodium. Therefore, doctors recommend less than 2,000 gm of sodium per day.
- Potassium. Although potassium is crucial for your body, people with kidney disease should limit it. Doctors recommend less than 2,000 gm of potassium per day.
- Phosphorus. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys are not able to eliminate excess phosphorus from the blood. It is not good for your health. Therefore, doctors recommend less than 800 mg to 100 mg of phosphorus per day. You can eat fruits.
- Protein food and Fluid
Eating and Nutrition for Hemodialysis
If you are getting started with hemodialysis, you need to make certain changes in your diet and lifestyle. Needless to say, but what you eat in a day is a crucial aspect of your treatment. Therefore, it is highly advisable to get in touch with a renal dietician to plan a special diet for you.
As far as a standard diet for hemodialysis is concerned, here are some of the vital pointers to consider:
- Make sure to include high-protein food items in your diet.
- Make sure to consume foods that contain low levels of sodium and potassium and high levels of phosphorus.
- Ask your dietician about the quantity of fluid you can have, including water, tea, coffee, and other beverages.
How Does What I Eat and Drink Affect My Hemodialysis?
When you are on hemodialysis, your food and drink preferences can impact your treatment and how you feel after undergoing it. Between two sessions of your dialysis, wastes and toxins can accumulate in your blood, making you feel sick. However, you can keep this accumulation under control by following a proper renal diet. You can balance your diet with what dialysis tends to remove from your blood and prevent waste and fluid buildup.
Diet Chart for Kidney Patients
Just because you are a CKD patient does not mean your diet would not be enjoyable and tasty. Here is a diet chart especially designed for kidney patients. Let us have a look!
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks |
| 2 Egg White or ½ Cup Substitute of Egg | ¾ Cup of Dal Fry | 2 Pcs Cutlet (Vegetable) | 3 Pcs of Idli Made of Corn |
| 1 Idli (Rice) | 2 Pcs. Naan or Roti | ½ Cup of Pulao with Cranberry | 1 Tbsp of Coriander Chutney |
| 1 Tbsp of Butter (Unsalted) | ½ Cup of cauliflower and potato recipe with leached potatoes. | ½ Cup of Veggie Stir-Fry (Zucchini) | 1 Cup of Cold Water |
| 1 Tbsp of Coriander Chutney | ½ Cup of Mixed Fruits (grapes and pineapple) | 1 cup of lime soda | |
| ⅓ Cup of Sambar | ¾ Cup of Salad, including Spinach, Mint, Cucumber, Green Pepper, Lettuce, Cilantro, Lemon, and Olive Oil | 1 Pcs. Peach Pie | |
| ½ Cup of Tea | 1 Cup of Tea with non-dairy creamer | ||
| ½ Cup Cream of Wheat | |||
| ½ Tbsp Sugar | |||
| ¼ Cup of Creamer (Non-dairy) |
Foods for Kidney Patients
- Cauliflower is rich in many nutrients, such as Vitamin C, K, and B. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory properties. One cup or 124-grams of cauliflower (cooked) comprises 19 mg, 176 mg, and 40 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Blueberries are loaded with multiple nutrients and antioxidants and prevent many health conditions, including diabetes, heart ailments, and cancer. This fruit is an excellent addition to your renal diet because it is low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. One cup of fresh blueberries comprises 1.5 mg, 114 mg, 18 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Sea bass makes a good source of high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Also, 85-grams of sea bass (cooked) contains 74 mg, 279 mg, and 211 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Egg whites are rich in high-quality proteins and also make a renal-friendly food. Egg whites of 66-grams contain 110 mg, 108 mg, and 10 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Garlic is a great alternative to salt and adds a delicious flavor to any food. Plus, it also comes loaded with vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic 9 grams comprises 1.5 mg, 36 mg, and 14 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Chicken (skinless) is low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium compared to chicken with skin-on. Skinless breast (84-grams) of chicken comprises 63 mg, 216 mg, and 192 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Onions are good taste enhancers, especially when it comes to a renal-diet. Moreover, onions are rich in B vitamins and manganese. Onions 70-grams, contain 3 mg, 102 mg, and 20 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
- Pineapple is a low potassium fruit and a great addition to a kidney diet. Moreover, it is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, bromelain, and manganese. Pineapple 165-grams comprises 2 mg, 180 mg, and 13 mg of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, respectively.
Discuss with Your Dietitian
Everything that you eat and drink directly affects your kidneys. Therefore, you should discuss the food items you should eat and the ones you should avoid. Your dietician will work with you and chalk a plan according to your unique requirements, stage of kidney disease, and any underlying health condition you may have.
More About Minerals and Nutrients
Fluids
When you are under hemodialysis, you have to restrict the intake of fluids. Apart from water, some fruits and vegetables also have high water content. These include melons, grapes, apples, oranges, etc. Fluids can build up between dialysis sessions, causing swelling and weight gain. The extra fluids affect your blood pressure and can lead to serious heart troubles.
The best way to reduce fluid intake is to reduce thirst caused by the salt you eat. Avoid salty food like chips and take low-sodium products. You can also keep your fluids down by drinking from small cups. Talk to a dietician about how much fluids you can have daily and follow them strictly.
Potassium
Potassium affects how healthy the heart beats. Healthy kidneys keep the right amount of potassium in the blood to keep the heart beating at a steady pace. Potassium levels can rise between dialysis sessions and can affect your heartbeat. Eating too much potassium can be very dangerous to your heart. It may even cause death.
To control potassium levels in your blood, avoid food rich in potassium like milk and dairy products, bananas, dry fruits, etc. Also, eat smaller portions of other potassium food. For example, eat only smaller portions of oranges and melons and other low potassium fruits. You can remove some of the potassium from potatoes by dicing or shredding them and then boiling them in water.
Phosphorus
If you have too much phosphorus in your blood, it pulls calcium from your bones, making your bones weak and likely to break. It also makes your skin itchy. Foods like milk and cheese, dried beans, peas, nuts, and peanut butter are rich in phosphorus. It is recommended to avoid these foods or take them in less quantity.
Depending on your situation, the doctor may advise taking phosphate-binding medications to control your blood’s phosphorus between dialysis sessions. These medications act like sponges soaking up phosphorus and restricting it from entering into blood.
Sodium
Sodium is found in salt and other foods. Most canned and frozen foods contain high amounts of sodium, and too much sodium makes you thirsty. Therefore, this will make your heart work extra harder to pump the fluid throughout the body. Over time, this can cause high blood pressure and heart failure.
Try to eat fresh foods that are naturally low in sodium salts. Avoid salty food like chips.
Proteins
Before being on dialysis, you are advised to follow a low-protein diet. Being on dialysis changes that. Most people on dialysis are encouraged to eat as much high-quality protein food as possible. Protein helps keep muscle healthy and repair tissues. You will also have greater resistance to infections and recover from surgery quickly.
High-quality proteins come from meat, fish, poultry, and eggs (especially egg whites).
By following the diet mentioned above and instructions, improves your hemodialysis results and your overall health.
Consult a nephrologist from Apollo Hospitals online for renal issues. Book an appointment here.
Kidney Dialysis Food Lists
The following foods are suggestions of options that may support better kidney health. Foods are listed under the mineral that your nephrologist may be monitoring over time.
Potassium
Food High in Potassium (greater than 200 mg per serving):
One serving is about 1/2 cup or as stated
* very, very high in potassium.
Foods Moderate in Potassium (150 – 200 mg per serving):
One serving is about 1/2 cup or as stated
BREAD & STARCHES: Basic 4 Cereal (1 cup); Fruit Shredded Wheat; Grape Nuts; Great Grains; Just Right (1cup); Low Fat Granola-no raisins; Nutri-Grain Cereal (1 cup); Quick-N-Hearty Quaker Oatmeal
VEGETABLES: Asparagus; Bamboo Shoots, canned; Broccoli; Carrots, boiled; Celery; Corn; Greens (mustard, turnip); Mixed Vegetables, frozen; Mushrooms; Okra; Peas, green; Rutabaga; Soybeans, sprouted; Summer Squash; Zucchini, cooked/raw
POTATO PRODUCTS: Ore Ida Crispy Crowns (12 pc.); Ore Ida Potatoes O’Brien with onions and peppers; Ore Ida Mini Tater Tots (19 pc.); Ore Ida Southern Style Has Browns (2/3 cup)
FRUITS: Apricot Nectar; Cherries, sweet; Grapefruit (1/2); Grapefruit Juice; Mandarin Oranges, canned; Papaya (1/4 whole fruit); Peach, fresh; Pineapple Juice; Rhubarb; Tangerine
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Buttermilk; Cream, Half & Half; Dry Milk; Ice Cream; Ice Milk; Milk (skim, whole, 1%, 2%)
MISCELLANEOUS: Krackel Bar; Hershey Hugs/Kisses (8); Milky Way Bar; Peanut Brittle (4 oz.); Peanut M&Ms; Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (2); Soy Milk; Tofu
Foods Low in Potassium (less than 150 mg per serving):
One serving is about 1/2 cup or as stated
BREAD & STARCHES: Breads (any type); Bagels; Crackers (graham, soda, snack); Cookies; Corn Chips; Croissants; Doughnut; English Muffin; Pasta; Popcorn; Rice; Sweet Roll; Triscuit; CEREAL – all others including: Cap N’ Crunch; Cheerios; Corn Chex; Cornflakes; Cream of Wheat; Crispix; Grits; Kix; Life; Oat Bran (1/4 cup); Oatmeal; Special K; Wheaties
VEGETABLES: Alfalfa Sprouts; Beans (green, wax); Bean Sprouts; Beets, canned; Cabbage, coleslaw; Cauliflower; Cucumber; Eggplant; Garlic; Hominy; Lettuce; Onion; Parsley; Peppers; Radish; Snow Peas; Turnips; Water Chestnuts
FRUITS: Apples; Apple Juice; Applesauce; Apricots, canned (4-halves); Blackberries; Boysenberries; Blueberries; Cranberries; Cranberry Juice; Fruit Cocktail; Grapes; Grape Juice; Lemon; Lime; Papaya Nectar; Passion Fruit; Peaches, canned; Peach Nectar; Pears, canned; Pineapple; Plums; Raspberries; Strawberries
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Cheese; Eggs; Cottage Cheese; Sour Cream; Thank You brand canned pudding; Hunt’s pudding cups
MISCELLANEOUS: Almond Joy Bar; Butterscotch; Caramel (5 pc.); Coffee; Fig Bars; Gelatin; Gingersnaps; Hard Candy; Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup; Jam/Jelly; Kit Kat Bar; Ketchup (1 Tbsp); Krave Bars; M&M’s, plain; Mrs. Dash; Ocean Spray; Peanut Butter (1 T.); Nestle Crunch Bar; Nutri-Grain Bars; Onion Rings; Popsicles; Pie (apple, cherry, lemon, pineapple, strawberry, raspberry); Rice Cakes; Salad Dressing; Soda Pop; Sorbet/Sherbet; Sunny Delight; Tang; Tea; Three Musketeers Bar; Very Fine Juice (apple, banana, strawberry)
Phosphorus
Foods High in Phosphorus (greater than 160 mg per serving):
MEATS, ETC: Fish & Seafood (3 oz.) – Bass, Catfish, Clams, Cod, Crab (real and imitation), Flounder, Halibut, Orange Roughy, Pollack, Salmon (canned with bones), Sardines (canned with bones), Scallops (breaded and fried – 4 to 6 pieces), Shrimp (Breaded and Fried – 10 to 11 pieces), Swordfish, Trout, Tuna (canned in oil); Lamb (3 oz); Liver (3 oz); Pork (3 oz); Turkey (3 oz); Veal (3 oz)
BREAD & STARCHES: Bulgar (1/2 cup); Cornbread (prepared from dry mix) – 1 piece; Golden Grahams (3/4 cup); Frosted Mini-Wheats (1 cup); Kellogg’s Raisin Bran (1 cup); Lentils, cooked (1/2 cup); Post Shredded Wheat (1 cup); Trail Mix (1/2 cup).
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Buttermilk (8 oz); Chocolate Milk (8 oz); Chocolate Pudding – instant (4 oz); Egg Nog (8 oz); Milk (8 oz.); Milkshakes (8 oz); Ricotta Cheese (1/2 cup); Swiss Cheese (1 oz); Yogurt (8 oz)
Foods Moderately High in Phosphorus (110-160 mg per serving):
MEATS, ETC: Bacon (2 slices); Beef (3 oz); Chicken (3 oz); Chicken Pot Pie (one small); Fish and Seafood (3 oz) – Lobster, Oysters, Perch, Steamed Shrimp, Tuna (canned in water)
BREAD & STARCHES: Biscuits (one 4-inch biscuit from recipe); Waffle (one from mix); Pancake (one from mix); Cheerios (1-1/4 cup); Wheaties (1 cup); Wheat CHEX (1 cup); Oatmeal (1 cup)
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Cheddar Cheese (1 oz.); Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup); Custard (1/2 cup); Fat-free Cream Cheese (2 Tbsp.); Mozzarella Cheese (1 oz.); Provolone Cheese (1 oz.); Pudding – instant, made with milk (1/2 cup)
DRIED BEANS & PEAS: Baked Beans (1/2 cup); Black-eyed Peas (1/2 cup); Black Beans (1/2 cup); Chili Beans (1/2 cup); Garbanzo Beans (1/2 cup); Kidney Beans (1/2 cup); Lima Beans (1/2 cup); Pinto Beans (1/2 cup); Refried Beans (1/2 cup)
NUTS & SEEDS: Almonds (22 nuts); Cashews (18 medium nuts); Pecans (20 halves); Pumpkin Seeds (50 seeds); Sunflower Seeds (50 seeds)
MISCELLANEOUS: Angel Food Cake (one piece); Beer (12 oz); Doughnut (one medium); Peanut Butter (2 Tbsp); Soy Milk (8 oz)
Foods Low in Phosphorus (less than 110 mg per serving):
MEATS, ETC: Egg (one): Hot Dog (one); Sausage, fresh; Frozen Fish Sticks (two sticks)
BREAD & STARCHES: Bagel (one); all Bread (one slice); Biscuit (one made from refrigerated dough); Croissant (one); all Crackers (four); Cereals, including: Cocoa Puffs (1 cup); Corn, Rice CHEX (1 cup); Corn Flakes (1 cup); Corn Pops (1 cup); Cream of Wheat (3/4 cup); Kix (1-1/3 cup); Rice Krispies (1-1/4 cup); Special K (1 cup); English Muffin (one); Pasta (1/2 cup); Noodles (1/2 cup); Rice (1/2 cup); Popcorn (1 cup); Tortilla (one)
VEGETABLES: All Vegetables are Low in Phosphorus
FRUITS: All Fruits are Low in Phosphorus
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Brie (1 oz); Cream Cheese (2 Tbsp); Feta Cheese (1 oz); Ice Cream (1/2 cup); Half & Half (1/2 cup); Grated Parmesan Cheese (2 Tbsp); Sour Cream (2 Tbsp); Whipping Cream (1/2 cup)
NUTS & SEEDS: Macadamia Nuts (12 nuts); Peanuts (28 nuts); Walnuts (14 halves)
MISCELLANEOUS: Cake (one piece); Coffee (6 oz); Cookie (one); Fruit Works; Hard Candy; Jelly Beans; Nestea COOL Iced Tea (8 oz); Non-dairy Creamer (1/2 cup); Pie (one piece); Ready-to-Eat Pudding (1/2 cup); Unenriched Rice Milk (8 oz); Snickers bar (one 2 oz bar); Soda Pop (12 oz); Tea (6 oz)
Sodium
Foods High in Sodium (greater than 300 mg per serving):
1 serving is about 1 cup or as stated
MEATS, ETC: Anchovies, canned in olive oil (5); Bacon (2 slices), Beef Jerky (1 oz); Canned Meats (1 oz); Corned Beef (2 oz); Cured or Smoked Meats (2-3 oz); Fish Sticks (6); Ham (2-3 oz); Hot Dogs (1 each); Imitation Crab (1 oz); Luncheon Meats (1-2 oz); Pepperoni (3 slices); Sausage, pork or beef (1 link)
BREAD & STARCHES: Biscuits, plain or butter milk (1); Bisquick (2 pancakes); Cornbread (1 slice); English Muffins (1 whole); Kellogg’s Raisin Bran; Noodles, boxed mixes; Potatoes, boxed mixes; Rice, boxed mixes; rolls, commercial (1); Waffles, plain (1)
VEGETABLES: Baked Beans, Sauerkraut (2 Tbsp); Soup or Broth, regular canned; Spaghetti Sauce, canned; Tomato Juice (6 Fluid oz) Vegetables, frozen with sauce; Vegetables, pickled; Vegetables, regular canned; V-8 Juices (6 fluid oz)
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Blue Cheese (1 oz); Cottage Cheese; Processed Cheese (1 oz); Roquefort Cheese (1 oz)
SNACKS/DESSERTS: Chex Mix; Pudding, dry mix instant
MISCELLANEOUS: Baking Soda (1 tsp); Kraft Cheese Whiz (2 Tbsp); Olives, green (5); Pickles, dill (1 medium); Pretzels (1 oz); Salted Nuts; Soy Sauce Soy Sauce (2 tsp)
Foods Moderately High in Sodium (100 – 300 mg per serving):
1 serving is about 1 cup or as stated
MEATS, ETC: Cocktail Shrimp, cooked (3 oz); Fried Egg (1); Poached Egg (1); Some Healthy Choice and Butterball Luncheon Meats (2 oz); Regular Canned Tuna (3 oz)
BREAD & STARCHES: Commercially Prepared Breads (whole wheat, white, rye, etc.), Cheerios; Crescent Dinner Rolls (1); Frosted Flakes; Golden Grahams; Kix; Homemade Muffins (1); Instant Oatmeal (1 pkt); Rice Chex; Rice Krispies; Special K; Tortillas (1); Wheaties; Bagels (1 whole); Basic 4 Cereal
VEGETABLES: Artichoke Hearts, boiled with salt; Low Sodium Tomato Juice, V-8 Light Tangy
DAIRY PRODUCTS: American cheese (1 oz); Buttermilk; Brie Cheese (1 oz); Cheddar Cheese (1 oz); Cream Cheese, fat-free (2 Tbsp); Feta Cheese (1 oz); Mozzarella (1 oz)
SNACKS/DESSERTS: Wheat Thins, reduced fat (16 crackers); Triscuits (7 crackers); Snickers Bar (2 oz bar); Reese’s Peanut Butter cups (2 Cups); Potato Chips (1 oz); Nabisco Cheese Nips (29 crackers); Milky Way Bar (2.15 oz bar); Jell-O Chocolate Pudding Snacks (1); Graham Crackers, plain or honey (1 oz); Gingersnaps; Corn Chips (1 oz); Cheese Balls (1 oz); Betty Crocker Bugles (1-1/3 cup); Better Cheddars (22 crackers); Angel Food Cake (1 oz)
MISCELLANEOUS: A1 Steak Sauce (1 Tbsp); Baking Powder (1 Tbsp); Catsup (1 Tbsp) Doughnut (1); Hot Chocolate (1oz packet); Kaukauna cheese Spread (2 Tbsp); Black Olives (12); 2 Slices Bread and Butter Pickles (1 oz); Commercial Salad Dressing (2 Tbsp); Hellmann’s Tartar Sauce (2 Tbsp)
Foods Low in Sodium (less than 100 mg per serving):
1 serving is about 1 cup or as stated
MEATS, ETC: All Meats that are NOT Cured, Smoked or Highly Processed; Boiled Eggs (1); Egg Beaters; Tofu, raw firm; Low Sodium Canned Tuna (1 can)
BREAD & STARCHES: Salt Free Bread (1 slice); Corn Pops; Cream of Wheat, instant cooked (3/4 cup); Frosted Mini-Wheats; Pasta, Noodles, Rice, white/brown
VEGETABLES: Canned Vegetables without Salt, All Fresh Vegetables, Frozen Vegetables without Sauce, Campbell’s Low Sodium Soup
FRUITS: All Fruits are Low Sodium
DAIRY PRODUCTS: Butter (1 Tbsp); Colby Jack Cheese (1 slice); Cream Cheese (2 Tbsp); Evaporated Milk, canned (1 Tbsp); Milk (whole, 2%, 1%, skim); Muenster Cheese (1 slice); Neufchatel Cheese (1 oz); Parmesan, Grated (1 Tbsp); Ricotta (1 oz); Sour Cream (1 Tbsp); Swiss Goat’s Milk; Yogurt
SNACKS/DESSERTS: Apple Newtons, fat-free (2 cookies); Animal Crackers (11 pieces); Ice Cream (½ cup); Jell-O, sugar-free; Kit-Kat Wafer Bars (1.5 oz bar) Mr GoodBar (1.74oz bar); Redenbacher Popcorn, microwave no salt (2 Tbsp unpopped); Rice Cakes (1 cake); Rice Krispies Treats Squares (0.8 oz sq); Ritz Crackers (5 cracker); Snackwell’s fat-free Devil’s Food Cookie Snack (1 cookies); Sorbet; Vanilla Wafers (8 cookies); Low sodium Wheat Thins (16 crackers); Zestidos (11 chips)
MISCELLANEOUS: Apple Butter (1Tbsp); Bac-Os (1-1/2 Tbsp); coffee; Coffee-Mate Creamer (1 Tbsp); Croutons (1 Tbsp); Egg Nog; Hellmann’s Mayonnaise (1 Tbsp); Honey; Horseradish; Mrs. Dash; Mustard; Nestle Crunch Bar; Nutri-Grain Bars; Soda Pop; Soy Milk, Tea
CAN KIDNEY PATIENTS EAT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
CAN KIDNEY PATIENTS EAT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES?
Tips on making low potassium choices when eating fruit and vegetables.
Contrary to popular belief, patients with kidney disease CAN include fruit and vegetables, even with the dreaded potassium restrictions. Fruit and vegetables are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet and provide many vitamins and minerals, fibre and taste.
When your kidney function starts to decline, the potassium levels in your blood may start to increase and you may be advised to follow a low potassium diet in order to help reduce it to a safe level. Not all renal patients need to follow a low potassium diet and it is important not to restrict yourself unless you have been advised by a qualified health professional. Your renal dietician can advise you how to follow a low potassium diet while making sure your diet stays balanced, nutritious and tasty.
Fruit and vegetables are a known high source of potassium, however the types chosen and how they are prepared and cooked can impact on their potassium content. Even with a potassium restriction, two portions of fruit, such as an apple and an orange and two portions of vegetables, such as two heaped tablespoons each of carrots and broccoli, are allowed daily. Avoiding known higher sources and preparing them in the right way, helps you to maintain a safe potassium level within your blood.
Tips on making low potassium choices when eating fruit and vegetables :
- Boil potatoes and vegetables in a large amount of water. Three egg sized potatoes are a suitable portion if following a low potassium diet.
- Make sure they are well cooked, double boiling is NOT necessary.
- Avoid using cooking water to make sauces, soups,casseroles or gravy
- Parboil potatoes if wanting to fry, mash, chip or roast
- Parboil vegetables before adding to sauces or casseroles. Be sure to throw away the boiling water first!
- Avoid using a pressure cooker, microwave, steamer or stir-frying
- If wanting to include fruit juice, one portion of fruit can be swapped for 120ml of fruit juice
- If you enjoy salad, a handful counts as one portion from your vegetable allowance (if given one). Do not exceed one portion of salad per day if you are on a low potassium diet.
- Half a standard can of tomatoes (i.e. approx. 200g/8oz) can be swapped for one portion of potatoes, as long as the juice is drained and thrown away.
- If vegetables are preferred over fruit or vice versa, one portion can be swapped for the other.
Everyone is Different ….
Dietary practices may differ depending on your ethnic background; this can sometimes lead to confusion as to how foods which are eaten regularly and enjoyed can be included in a potassium restricted diet.
THE ASIAN DIET
Pulses are a great source of protein in Asian diets. To help reduce potassium levels in Asian cooking :-
Soak pulses or sprouted pulses in warm water for one hour and drain the water before cooking
A portion of cooked pulses (two-three tablespoons) can be swapped for a portion of potatoes
Ground nut, gram flour and coriander leaves raise potassium content of vegetables when cooked together, therefore, it is better to avoid these additions to your vegetable dishes.
Vegetables are often the main ingredient used in curries, therefore to reduce the potassium content, cut the vegetables up nice and small, increasing the surface area, and soaking them in luke warm water for approximately 45 minutes prior to using.
Diet Chart for Kidney Patients
Kidneys are vital organs in your body. The bean-shaped organs are responsible for filtering waste and extra fluids from your body as well as maintaining a healthy balance of salts, minerals and water. Having kidney disease can affect your general health. It is, thus, important to take extra care of your body if you are experiencing kidney disease. The top factor in maintaining your overall health is your dietary intake. A diet chart for kidney patients is an important tool that provides key details about what to eat and what to avoid.
In this article, with insights from Dr. Mohit Khirbat, a leading nephrologist at the CK Birla Hospital, we will explore the chronic kidney disease diet food list. But first, let’s begin by understanding what kidney disease is?
Kidney diet chart: What is kidney disease?
Your kidneys are responsible for removing excess fluids and waste from your blood. This wastage is then converted into urine which is drained from the body.
Kidney disease is a condition that leads to the loss of kidney function and restricts your body to lose extra waste as it should. It can be an acute or chronic condition. Kidney disease is characterised by a range of varying symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Changes in the frequency of urination
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Cramping in the muscle
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Dryness and itching on the skin
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Shortness of breath due to fluid-up in the lungs
- Chest pain
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition. It is estimated that about 697.5 million individuals were recorded to have chronic kidney disease in 2017 alone, making up for a 9.1% global incidence.
Why is a dialysis patient’s diet important?
If you are suffering from chronic kidney disease, your body’s ability to filter waste is compromised. It means that your kidneys are unable to perform their function properly. Hence, you should ensure to eat included in the Indian diet chart for kidney patients so that your kidneys are able to function healthily despite kidney disease.
Modifying your kidney diet chart can help you avoid complications of kidney disease and improve your quality of life.
In addition, a proper diet chart for high creatinine patient provides:
- More energy
- Reduced risk of infection
- Healthier body weight
- Decreased risk of disease progression
Dialysis patient diet chart: What is dialysis?
Before we jump into understanding food for dialysis patients, we should learn what dialysis is all about.
Since kidneys are unable to filter any waste while experiencing kidney disease, a novel treatment for kidney patients. Dialysis is a procedure in which a machine is used to filter and remove waste products. A dialysis machine also regulates minerals and salts in your blood and controls blood pressure.
There are two types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
Dialysis does not cure kidney disease but only offers temporary relief and allows your body to get rid of waste and extra fluids.
Indian diet chart for kidney patient
A personalised dialysis patient diet chart can help someone with kidney disease relieve their symptoms and live a better quality of life. An ideal renal diet should be low in sodium, protein and phosphorus. In some patients, an additional restriction on the intake of calcium and potassium is also there.
Maintaining the balance of these nutrients is important in order to eat a healthy diet as well as keep the kidney disease from progressing further.
Listed below are the top components you should include in the diet chart for kidney patients:
Sodium
Sodium is a mineral found in salt and is used as a common seasoning. A kidney patient should avoid consuming higher levels of sodium. Intaking higher levels of salt can increase your thirst, blood pressure levels, and further cause swelling in the legs, hands and face. Low levels of salt, on the other hand, can help regulate blood pressure levels, nerve function and muscle contraction.
How to monitor sodium intake: Read food labels, choose fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid consumption of packaged meats.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that occurs naturally in the body. It is also found in several food items. Potassium is important for muscle function and regulating heartbeat. It, additionally, improves fluid and electrolyte balance in the blood.
It is important for kidney patients to balance their potassium intake as high levels of this mineral in your blood can lead to muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat and slow pulse.
How to monitor potassium intake: Limit the consumption of foods high in potassium, choose fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid salt substitutes.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is important for bone development and strength. It also helps in maintaining muscle function and the development of connective tissue. If you are a kidney patient, your ability to filter phosphorus decreases. When your kidneys are not functioning at their full potential and you consume high levels of phosphorus, your body can pull out extra calcium from your bones and cause calcium deposits in the blood vessels and various organs.
How to monitor phosphorus intake: Choose foods that are low in phosphorus, avoid packaged foods, and eat smaller portions of food high in protein.
Protein
Damaged kidneys are unable to filter protein from food, which in turn, gets collected in the blood. Protein, however, plays a significant role in tissue maintenance. Therefore, it is important to balance your protein intake.
How to monitor protein intake: Check labels, avoid consumption of processed foods and maintain a food journal.
Fluids
Fluids are essential for your body’s hydration. However, if you are suffering from kidney disease, you are required to balance your fluid intake so that the dialysis can fully filter the waste from your body. High fluid intake can increase the pressure on your heart and lungs.
It is important to maintain your fluid intake based on your urine output as well as your dialysis setting.
How to monitor fluid intake: Avoid drinking additional fluids and be aware of the amount of water you keep while cooking.
| Foods good for kidneys | Foods bad for kidneys |
| Fruits (peaches, grapes, pears, apples, berries, pineapple, plums, tangerines, and watermelon) | Oranges and orange juice, nectarines, kiwis, raisins or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, and prunes |
| Grains, Dalia, & oatmeal | Nuts |
| Olive oil, canola oil and safflower oil | Chocolate |
| Fish, poultry and eggs | Dark-colored soda, processed food, pickles, tomatoes, and ready-to-eat meals |
| Milk, yoghurt and cheese | High-fat dairy products |
| Vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, red pepper, cucumber, eggplant, green and wax beans, lettuce, onion, peppers, watercress, zucchini, and yellow squash) | Asparagus, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, and cooked spinach |
The Concluding Note
Diet chart for kidney patients is a significant and handy tool that can help kidney patients lead a life of good quality.
For more information or personalised guidance on kidney disease, you can book an appointment with Dr. Mohit Khirbat, a leading nephrologist at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.