Hemodialysis Diet

General Information

Do people on dialysis need to be on a special diet?

Yes. Your healthcare provider or dietitian will tell you if there are foods and/or drinks that you should limit or avoid. The diet that is right for you will depend on:

  • How often you have dialysis
  • Your health and other medical conditions

Why do people on dialysis need to watch their diet? 

People on dialysis need to watch their diet because their kidneys aren't working. Normally, the kidneys filter the blood and remove extra water, salt, and other minerals and nutrients that people eat and drink. Normal kidneys work all day, every day, 168 hours a week!

Hemodialysis takes over the job of the kidneys but hemodialysis only filters the blood when you are connected to the machine. People usually have hemodialysis at a center only 3 times a week for 4-5 hours (12-15 hours a week). If a person on hemodialysis gets too much water, potassium, or other nutrients through eating and drinking, these things can build up in the body making people feel sick and cause problems.

What do I need to watch in my diet? 

  • Fluids – Most people on dialysis need to limit what they eat and drink. Any food that is a liquid at room temperature (such as ice cream) is a fluid. Some fruits and vegetables have a lot of fluid in them, including melons, grapes, apples, and lettuce.
  • Sodium – This is the main ingredient in table salt. Most people on dialysis need to limit the amount of sodium they eat because eating a lot of sodium can raise your blood pressure. It can also make you thirsty and cause you to drink more than you should. To know how much sodium is in a food, you need to look at the food's label. Try to eat foods that are normally low in sodium or foods that say "sodium-free" or "very low in sodium".
  • Potassium – This is a nutrient that can affect your heartbeat. Most people on dialysis need to limit the potassium they eat. If too much potassium builds up in your body, it can cause problems with your heart rhythm. Try to eat foods that are low in potassium. Avoid foods that are high in potassium.
  • Phosphorus- Foods such as milk, other dairy foods, nuts, beans, liver, colas (dark sodas) and chocolate have high levels of phosphorus. Avoid foods with high levels of phosphorus because if phosphorus builds up in your body, it can cause weak bones, itching and other problems. Your doctor might also prescribe a medicine called a phosphorus binder for you to take with your meals and snacks. This medicine helps keep your phosphorus levels in a healthy range.
  • Protein – Protein helps build muscles, repair tissue, and fight infections. Foods with a lot of protein include meat, chicken, fish, eggs, soy beans/tofu and nuts. It’s very important that you eat enough protein.

Your doctor will probably prescribe a vitamin for you to take every day. That way, your body can get the vitamins and minerals that might be missing in your diet.

Tips for when you are thirsty 

If you need to limit your fluids, try these tips:

  • Suck on ice instead of having a drink, because ice lasts longer. Try adding some fresh lemon juice to the water before freezing. (Lemon is low in potassium) Remember ice also counts as a fluid.
  • Chew gum or suck on hard candy.
  • Eat frozen green grapes. You will get moisture as the grape thaws in your mouth then more moisture when you chew the thawed grape.
  • Rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash, but don't swallow the fluids.