When your kidneys fail, wastes that normally leave the body in your urine remain in your bloodstream. These wastes can become toxic, making you feel sick and causing damage to your heart, lungs, bones and other tissues.
The good news is, what you eat affects the waste buildup in your blood — this means you have the power to lower the waste buildup by changing your diet.
If you stick to a diet appropriate for your overall health — including the type or stage of kidney disease you have and the treatment you receive — you will feel better and have more energy.
Your diet requirements will change as your kidney function or treatments change, so it’s important to personalize your diet according to your current health. Read on to see nutrition information for:
1. People with chronic kidney disease but not on dialysis
2. People on dialysis
3. People living with a kidney transplant
Diet for people with chronic kidney disease but
not yet on dialysis
A dietitian who specializes in nutrition for chronic kidney disease patients can work with you to plan meals that are healthy and delicious. Ask your kidney doctor (nephrologist) to refer you to a dietitian or, once you’re a patient at Puget Sound Kidney Centers, we’ll assign one of our renal dietitians to you. You’ll meet with your dietitian regularly to discuss the diet that’s right for you.
There are certain areas of your diet you need to pay close attention to if you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease but have not yet started dialysis. Sodium intake is incredibly important (you can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease if you lower your salt intake) but there are other minerals and types of foods you should watch as well.