Some Dietary Changes for Patients with Kidney Failure

A healthy diet is important to us all, but it is even more important if you have kidney failure. Good nutrition can supply you enough energy to do your daily tasks, prevent infection, build and maintain muscle and help maintain a healthy weight. However, some dietary changes for patients with renal failure may be essential if you have kidney failure.
◆ Intake high-quality protein
Protein is an important nutrient. Your body needs protein to help build muscle, repair tissue and fight infection. Before you started dialysis, a limited-protein diet may have been recommended. Getting the right amount of high-quality protein is important to your overall health, and the high-quality protein foods includes fish, eggs, vegetables and fruits, milk, etc.
◆ Get correct amount of calories
Everyone is different. Calories are like fuel—they provide your body with the energy you need to live. If you are not getting enough calories from your diet, you may need to eat extra sweets like sugar, jam, jelly, hard candy, honey and syrup, unless you also have diabetes. Other good sources of calories come from fats such as soft (tub) margarine and oils like canola or olive oil. It is important to plan meals that give you enough calories each day.
◆ Limit the intake of sodium
If your kidneys do not work well, sodium and fluid build up in your body. This can cause high blood pressure and other problems like swelling of your ankles, fingers or eyes. Sodium usually is contained in the following food:
* seasonings like soy sauce, sea salt, teriyaki sauce, garlic salt or onion salt
* most canned foods and frozen dinners (unless they say“low sodium”)
* processed meats like ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausage and deli meatswww.KidNey.org 15
* salted snack foods like chips and crackers
* canned or dehydrated soups (like packaged noodle soup)
* most restaurant foods, takeout foods and fast foods
If your blood potassium and phosphorus level is higher than the normal, you should also lower the intake of potassium and phosphorus, other dietary changes for patients with renal failure are very important. If you want to have deep understanding, you can leave your question in the comment list.