Healthy eating is important for everyone but it’s critical for people with chronic kidney disease.

Following a nutritious diet will help one feel good and live well with kidney disease. Whether you have chronic kidney disease, you’re on dialysis or have a kidney transplant; these guidelines will help you live a healthier life.

Healthy diet basics – For all meal plans, including the kidney patient’s diet, we need to take into account some of the same nutrients, like:

* Calories       * Protein      * Carbohydrates       * Fat       * Vitamins        *Minerals

CKD Patients

The term Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is used when there is an irreversible loss in kidney function. This condition is usually progressive and eventually a stage is reached when practically entire kidney function is lost. This is called End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). Since treatment options for ESKD are limited and very expensive efforts should be made to delay progression of CKD. Diet plays an important role in this matter. There is nothing like a CKD diet. The diet must be individualized because the severity and cause of CKD may vary from patient to patient; further one must also consider dietary habits of a person while prescribing him a diet.

There’s plenty you can do to keep your kidney function stable. Start by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Following are general guidelines:

• Use Low protein foods like Rice and Rice Products, Fruits, Vegetables, Sago.
• Avoid High protein foods like Meat, Poultry, Fish.
• Can use Dal, Pulses, Milk and Milk Products in prescribed amounts.
• Include root vegetables like potato, sweet potato, suran, and arbi to increase the calories.
• Sago flour or Arroot Flour can be added to wheat flour to made chapati.
• Avoid use of salt while cooking but you may add the specified amount for the day separately.
• You can add new flavors like lemon juice, onions, green chillies, vinegar, tamarind pulp and amchur powder (Everest) to make your food palatable.
• Avoid use of salt substitutes. They contain potassium and could increase your potassium levels.
• You can take one fruit per day. Preferably a low potassium fruit – Pear, Papaya (2 slice), Pineapple (2 slice), Guava, Apple, Orange and Banana (1/2).
• Commercial Nutritional Supplements can be used after consulting your Doctor or Dietician.

Dialysis Patients

Dialysis is a process that removes the waste products and helps to maintain volume and composition of body water – the most important and indispensable function of the kidneys. Dietary modifications are needed for patients on Dialysis. Dialysis patients should eat a high-protein food at every meal.

Following are general guidelines:

• Eat small and frequent meals.
• For High Protein use milk products like curd, buttermilk and paneer. Have homemade desserts like kheer, sheera, rasgulla, and gulab jamun. Soya flour or besan can be added to wheat flour to made chapati.
• Consume dry fruits in between meals. Can use powdered dry fruits to thicken soups, instead of corn flour.
• Fluid need to be restricted on Dialysis – Fluids include any liquid at room temperature: water, ice, tea, coffee, curds, buttermilk, fruit juices, jelly, ice cream soup, dal, gravies and any other drinks.
• In the morning fill a bottle with your fluid allowance and as the fluids are consumed, pour of the equal amount of water. The water left in the bottle is the amount of fluid which remains. This will be a good guide to the amount of fluid consumed.
• You can add new flavours like lemon juice, onions, green chillies, vinegar, tamarind pulp and amchur powder (Everest) to make your food palatable.
• Avoid use of salt substitutes. They contain potassium and could increase your potassium levels.
• You can take one fruit per day. Preferably a low potassium fruit – Pear, Papaya (2 slice), Pineapple (2 slice), Guava, Apple, Orange and Banana (1/2).
• Take phosphate binders with or after each meal as prescribed by the physician.
• Commercial Nutritional Supplements can be used after consulting your Doctor or Dietician.

Transplant Patients

Good nutrition plays a key role in successfully recovering from kidney transplantation. As after any surgery, adequate calories and protein are needed for proper wound healing. Also, possible side effects of the anti-rejection medications can increase nutrient requirements. Because of these special concerns, you may have to change your diet for a time period after your transplant. However, dietary therapy is always adjusted by the transplant team to meet your specific needs and tolerances:

Following are general guidelines:

• Have short frequent meals every 2-3 hourly. Meal timings are important. Portion control is also very
• Do not skip meals. Do not fast or feast.
• Have boiled salads or salads washed with warm water.
• Avoid fruit juice, have fruits washed with warm water.
• Prefer complex carbohydrates like whole grain cereals, whole fruits and vegetables as they are rich in fiber. Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight.
• Restrict the use of simple sugars in the form of sugar, jaggery and honey.
• Consume not more than 3 tsp of oil per day.
• Avoid salted foods like cheese, salted butter, papads, pickles, chutneys, sauces, salted nuts, salted chips, popcorn and other canned products, instant foods like noodles, macaroni, soup cubes and bakery foods because of high sodium content.
• Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco.
• Exercise daily for 30-45 mins per day is recommended. Please contact your doctor before starting exercise. Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness.

Written By: Mrs. Zamurrud M Patel