There are several sites that provide great tips and recipes for renal failure patients. I recommend the DaVita recipes site, and the NKF's Kidney Kitchen. Both are great resources.
There are different guidelines to follow for dialysis vs. kidney transplant and both need slight modification for patients that also have diabetes.
Dialysis Diet Guidelines
For dialysis patients there are a few rules to follow. Remember, it's not that you can't eat certain foods ever, but that you really need to focus on keeping them to an absolute minimum.
Phosphorus intake (per day): 500-1200mg
Potassium intake (per day): 1500-2000mg
Sodium intake (per day): 1000-1200mg
[Provided by AAKP]
- Low Phosphorus - Phosphorus is used as a preservative in may packaged foods and most frozen foods including meats. Avoid foods such as frozen chicken and instead get it fresh at the butcher counter. Determining phosphorus content can be tricky as it is not required by law to disclose the amount of phosphorus in the nutrition information. Limit foods that are high in phosphorus such as dairy. For a complete list of phosphorus content of common foods click HERE
- Low Potassium - Like phosphorus, potassium content is also not required by law to be disclosed. Potassium however is more likely to be found in fresh foods. Try and limit the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you eat and instead try and use canned foods whenever possible. The canning process leaches the potassium out of foods. Limit foods that are high in potassium such as potato products. For a complete list of potassium content of common foods click HERE
- Low Sodium - Sodium is hidden everywhere and can be very difficult to track. Some common rules for avoiding sodium is to stay away from packaged foods, and to avoid fast food. Remember, all fast food restaurants are required by law to have the nutrition information available to the public. You can either request a copy at the location or visit the franchises website. For a complete list of sodium content of common foods click HERE
- Fluids - Fluids are in soups, fruit, and even vegetables. Be aware of the amount of liquid in the food you eat. Dialysis patients need to limit their fluid intake to 1 liter (approx. 34oz) per day.
- No Alcohol. EVER - Drinking alcohol will cause you to be ineligible for transplant and will get you removed from the list. For dialysis patients any amount of alcohol is toxic. Without functioning kidneys your body can not properly dispose of the poison in your system causing a greater strain on your other organs. If you drink it you are greatly harming your body.
- Instead of dairy, try using non-dairy creamer in cereal or coffee. There are also a wide variety of dairy substitutions available. Be cautious with these however, as many are made from soy which is higher in potassium.
- Try sodium-free seasoning as an alternative to salt. Mrs. Dash has a wide range of flavors available.
- You can leach foods such as potato by soaking it in water overnight. Drain the water and wash thoroughly to get the excess potassium off.
- Tea can contain hidden phosphorus and potassium. Black tea is great for a caffeine boost, and red tea is delicious substitute for herbal tea (herbal tea contains high amounts of both phosphorus and potassium)
- Avoid melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew). Instead try a eating berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.), apples, or pineapple.
Transplant Diet
Eating healthy after a transplant is similar to the dialysis diet. However after transplant you have a little more freedom with some of the foods you can eat.
- Fluids - Drinking enough fluid is extremely important. Be sure to drink two to three liters (approx. 64oz to 102oz) of fluid a day. This can be water, or juice. Cranberry juice is very healthy for your renal system. Always check the ingredients and be careful to avoid juices that contain grapefruit juice.
- Low Sodium - Sodium is hidden everywhere and can be very difficult to track. Some common rules for avoiding sodium are to never add salt to your food (most food contains enough already), to stay away from packaged foods, and to avoid fast food whenever possible. (Remember, all fast food restaurants are required by law to have the nutrition information available to the public. You can either request a copy at the location or visit the franchise's website.) For a complete list of sodium content of common foods click HERE
- Phosphorus - Unlike dialysis, many kidney transplant patients are encouraged to eat high phosphorus foods. Dairy, especially yogurt, cheese, and milk are important for getting essential nutrients. Fish and nuts are also a good source of phosphorus. For a complete list of phosphorus content of common foods click HERE
- Potassium - For transplant patients potassium intake will need to either be increased or decreased. For every patient this can be different and depends on your blood work. Check with your doctor to see what is recommended for you. For a complete list of potassium content of common foods click HERE.
- Lower Sugur - Some the medicine prescribed after transplant can cause your blood sugar to be increased. Too high blood sugar can lead to diabetes. It is important to keep your sugar intake lower in order to keep your levels under control. Many diabetic-friendly artificial sweeteners are on the market and are served in most restaurants.
- No Alcohol. EVER - Drinking alcohol will greatly damage your kidney and drastically reduce the life of your transplant.
- Eat Fruit - Eating fresh fruit is great for kidney transplant patients. Eat fresh fruit whenever you can. Not only is fruit high in nutrients that your new kidney needs such as vitamin D and phosphorus, but it is a great source of liquid as well. I suggest oranges, bannanas, pineapple, apples, grapes, melon, or really anything you enjoy. A big bowl of fruit makes a great breakfast or even dessert. (Be careful to avoid canned fruit as most contain high ammounts of sugar and corn syrup which can cause your blood sugar levels to rise too high)
