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Renal Diet for Patients on Hemodialysis

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients come from foods. Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, utilized by the cells, and removed from the body as waste through the urine. When the kidneys do not work, there is little or no urine produced and toxins accumulate in the bloodstream. Hemodialysis works like an external kidney by eliminating toxins, removing excess fluids, and balancing electrolytes. If you have renal failure and are on hemodialysis, you must adhere to a renal diet to prevent accumulation of electrolytes and fluids between treatment intervals.

  1. What is a Renal Diet?

    • A renal diet for someone on hemodialysis consists of foods high in protein but low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Fluid consumption is limited. Protein helps maintain muscle mass, repairs tissues, and sustains the immune system. Eat fish, eggs, chicken, and meat because they are loaded with protein and create fewer waste products than other foods.

    Limit Fluids

    • Restrict the amount of fluids -- such as water, juice, and popsicles -- that you consume. Fluids quickly accumulate in your body if you are not careful. They can cause swelling of your hands, feet, and lungs, which makes breathing difficult. The extra fluids in your body increase your heart's workload, and if it becomes overwhelmed you can go into cardiac failure.

    Limit Sodium, Potassium, and Phosphorus

    • Restrict your intake of foods high in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus because their quantity can build up to dangerous levels. Excessive potassium causes lethal heart rhythms -- limit bananas, apricots, cantaloupes, kiwis, spinach, potatoes, and lima beans, as they all contain high levels of potassium. Sodium helps regulate nerves and muscles, but excess amounts lead to swelling and heart problems. Avoid canned or frozen foods, which are high in sodium, and stay away from salt substitutes as they are high in potassium. Too much phosphorus may lead to bone fractures, so limit your intake of milk, cheese, peanut butter, and peas.

    Dangers of Noncompliance

    • Unlike the kidneys, which work around the clock to remove waste from the body and to balance electrolytes, hemodialysis is done only once every few days. When toxins build up, you may experience fatigue, dizziness, and general malaise, which is very common before your next appointment. The menu choices of a renal diet are very limited, and you risk a buildup of excessive electrolytes when you are noncompliant. In the worst-case scenario, your heart could stop beating.

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