Understanding the Renal Diet

A renal diet involves monitoring fluids, salt, phosphorus, protein, and potassium, which are all processed by the kidneys. The purpose of the diet is to lighten the work of the kidneys by eating foods that pass through more easily.

Doctors might order a renal diet for:

• People who have been diagnosed with renal disease.
• People who have some other condition that affects the kidneys, such as a birth defect, an infection, hardening of the arteries, or diabetes.
• People on dialysis.

THE BENEFITS OF A RENAL DIET:

• Most people who follow a renal diet are able to slow down their kidney disease—so it doesn’t get worse as quickly.
• Following a renal diet may delay the need for dialysis.
• For clients who are already on dialysis, a renal diet prevents additional complications of the disease such as fluid overload, high blood pressure or an overdose of potassium.
• The renal diet also helps clients on dialysis stay strong until a kidney is available for transplant.

Feeding the client on a renal diet:

• No two renal diets are the same.  This is because a renal diet is developed individually for people depending on their weight and severity of their kidney damage. 
• Some clients may need to restrict protein (usually people with early kidney disease) and some may need to eat lots of protein (usually people on dialysis since dialysis “washes away” protein).
• Offer the specific number of calories to be eaten every day, as outlined in the diet order.
• Restrict sodium so the body doesn’t hold onto fluids and swell up.
• Monitor potassium intake to avoid serious heart problems that come from a build up of potassium.
• Limit fluids since too much fluid makes the kidneys work overtime.