Dialysis

[Debbie057]

Hi I'm new to this group my mom has kidney failure and she is on dialysis 3 days a week. I prepare all the meals and I'm looking for good recipes or the dos and don't of what she can or can't eat. I'm trying to do the best I can when it comes to fixing the foods she can eat

[Redoralive]

Has she been reffered to a renal dietician? As a general rule unless her potassium levels are really high or she has a fluid restriction then she shoild just try and eat a regular healthy mixed diet.

I have high potassium and therefore have a diet that avoids potatoes and fresh veg and is very carb heavy but its not recommended for everyone. When i was on haemo i was fluid restriced to 900ml a day so I had to watch my meals then too.

Does she have any other dietary problems outside kidney issues- eg allergies or vegetarianism?

[Debbie057 in reply to Redoralive]

Yes there is a dietican at the clinic in Starke that she goes to I talked to her Friday.

[Debbie057 in reply to Redoralive]

My mom can only drink 1 liter during the day, she can drink 4 ounces at a time. The dietician sent a booklet home with her Thursday went she went for her treatment .

[Debbie057 in reply to Redoralive]

No she has no allergies

[drkinch]

Hi debbie.

It is advised to limit the consumption of liquids, phosphorous, potassium and sodium as while going through dialysis treatment, the level of the said elements increases in the body and cause serious issues.

You must keep a track of the quantity of fluid you are drinking or eating. Dialysis removes the fluid out of your body but if you have excess liquid, then it will make you feel sick and your blood pressure will drop. Excess fluid can also cause weight gain and swelling between the dialysis sessions.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, dialysis patient should limit the intake of milk and yogurt to ½ cup a day as the diary products are rich in phosphorous which may weaken your bones and potassium which may cause muscle and hear diseases.

Not more than 1200 milligrams sodium should be consumed per day. Consume freshly prepared food and limit the use salt and herbs to avoid high amount of sodium and there sis big no for canned and packed foods.

Avoid tomatoes, potatoes, whole grain foods and oranges and include cucumber, broccoli, carrots, rice and pasta for right amount of potassium.

Egg, fish, quinoa, soya milk and almond milk are high in protein and perfect for kidney diet. Choose lean meat without salt or extra sauces in them too control sodium intake.

Follow these guidelines if you or your loved ones are suffering from this painful procedure. But my suggestion is “prevention is better than cure.” Keep your kidneys healthy. Keep yourself hydrated and be particular about the diet you follow. You must have a dietitian for your family who can help you with a balanced and healthy diet plan and you will never have to encounter these kinds of diseases in your life. Always eat what is right for you!

[Debbie057 in reply to drkinch]

Hi thank you for the helpful info. My mom is the one who is on dialysis she goes 3 days a week. I talked to the dietician Friday and she was very helpful

[drkinch in reply to Debbie057]

Glad to hear that.

[Trekker77]

Hi Debbie,

My family has a history of kidney diseases and two members on haemodialysis; so I am sharing a few tips that have come in handy for us.

In addition to what the others mentioned about very low fluid intake, just a note that the 900 ml -1 litre must be inclusive of water intake for meals and medicines too. Rice for example contains water, so on days you give her rice, you can perhaps minimise her overall water intake to balance. In general we would allow very little water (500 ml) to our mum because we had to end up in the emergency due to water retention elsewhere in her body (lungs). The lack of water may cause constipation, so keep a mild laxative handy just in case. My mum has to have at least a spoonful almost every other night. In summer we would also give her a few lozenges or an ice cube (extreme cases) just to keep her from feeling very thirsty.

Another thing that we have found to be useful was Nepro for Dialysis Patients (advised by the hospital/doctor) to replenish lost nutrients. In the US they are sold in pre-made bottles; here in India we use the dry powder and mix it with her porridge. Egg whites help too, but they could get a little bland. We sprinkle a tiny bit of salt and pepper and put it with a slice of white bread. Lean meat like chicken (leg pieces which are flavourful, unlike breast pieces) or certain medium sized fish (like carps, Carla, lower phosphorus, mercury etc.) if cooked with a little bit of lemon, black pepper and a dab of butter or olive oil if she likes the taste. Meals should generally be on the semi-moist side, just so they does not increase the water weight. We would general sauté a leg piece with 1 stick of clove, 2-3 black pepper, a few crushed cardamom seeds, a bit of butter and white oil (for flavour) and a few slivers of garlic and pressure cook using very little water. This was the chicken is soft and flavourful, but the stalk is mostly dried or discarded. Vegetables with high urea or potassium such as potatoes, bananas, mangoes, pumpkins, cabbages, okra/lady fingers, are all restricted. Tomatoes are allowed as long as they are blanched in hot water for a few seconds, peeled and de-seeded.

Lastly, these are all suggestions that have worked for us 🤞🏻 There might be some days when your mum might crave a sliver of pizza or a square of milk chocolate, keeping these aberrations to a minimum while not denying would help. After all so many of us are foodies, and who wouldn’t want a cheat meal once in while. Do ask your mum’s dietician to get the suggestions whetted. Take care 🙏🏻 and I hope it helps.

[Debbie057]

Thank you so much it does help