Therapeutic diet
Renal diet
Control potassium, phosphate, sodium, protein and fluid according to your stage of kidney disease.
Chronic kidney diseaseHaemodialysisPeritoneal dialysisAfter transplant
Principles
- Individualised to your latest blood results — there is no single renal diet
- Protein moderated before dialysis, increased once on dialysis
- Potassium and phosphate limited when blood levels are high
- Fluid limited to a personal daily allowance
Include
- Lower-potassium vegetables: cabbage, green beans, cauliflower, peppers
- Lower-potassium fruit: apple, berries, grapes, pineapple
- White bread, rice and pasta as controlled carbohydrate
- Egg white, fish, chicken as prescribed protein
Avoid or limit
- Salt substitutes containing potassium
- Phosphate additives in processed foods and cola
- Bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, avocado when potassium is high
- Starfruit — toxic in kidney failure
A sample day
- BreakfastWhite toast with egg; apple
- LunchChicken, white rice, boiled cabbage
- SnackRice cakes with butter
- DinnerFish, pasta, green beans, drained tinned pears
Cautions
- · Never follow a renal diet from the internet — the targets are personal and change with your bloods.
- · Take phosphate binders with the first mouthful of food.
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.