Special dietary considerations
When your kidneys fail, waste products and excess nutrients build up in your blood. Before you start dialysis you might be asked to regulate what you eat in order to minimize these waste products and their adverse effects. The nutrients that can adversely affect your body are listed below. Many of the tests that your doctor asks for are designed to monitor the levels of these waste products in your body.
Salt
If you have kidney failure, too much salt can increase your blood pressure. Also, too much salt can also make you thirsty and make it difficult for you to maintain your fluid balance.
Ask your renal unit if you should restrict your salt intake.
To keep salt intake to a minimum:
- Add little or no salt when cooking, or at the table.
- Avoid salty foods such as bacon, ham, tinned meat, sausages, beef burgers, smoked fish, salted biscuits and potato chips).
- Avoid highly processed foods such as packaged mixes and sauces.
Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral used in the body. One of the uses for potassium is to control muscles. One of the largest and most important muscles in the body is the heart. Too much or too little potassium can affect the heartbeat and possibly lead to a heart attack.
The kidneys normally regulate potassium levels. In most people with kidney failure this control is lost. It is very important to keep the levels of potassium in the body at the correct level. By testing your blood your doctor will monitor your potassium levels. If necessary, you doctor will also tell you what foods you should avoid eating.
High-potassium food and drink
The following foods and drinks contain high levels of potassium. Always follow the dietary guidelines for potassium provided by your doctor or dietitian.
- Beans and pulses: baked beans, broad beans, butterbeans, chickpeas, black-eye beans, red kidney beans, some types of lentils.
- Breads, cereals: breakfast cereals, natural bran, instant porridge, cereals containing chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
- Cakes and biscuits: especially those containing chocolate, coffee, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
- Confectionary: black treacle, carob, chocolate (all types), liquorice, etc.
- Dairy products: condensed milk, evaporated milk, etc.
- Desserts and puddings: especially those containing coffee, chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
- Drinks: cocoa, coffee (espresso, Greek, and Turkish), malted drinks, fruit juices, condensed milk, evaporated milk, etc.
- Fruit: avocados, pears, bananas, blackcurrants, dried fruit, melons (all types), pomegranates, rhubarb, etc.
- Potatoes: chips, French fries, baked potatoes, products made from instant potatoes such as croquettes, waffles, fried plantain, etc.
- Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, spinach, parsnips, okra, etc.
- Miscellaneous: Tomato ketchup, tomato puree, tinned spaghetti and filled pasta, salt substitutes, peanut butter, fruit gums, fudge, toffee, soup, etc.
May 1, 2006
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