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Reducing sodium intake for better health

Sodium and fluids work together in your body. Too much sodium can be harmful for anyone.

For people on dialysis, limiting sodium intake helps to control thirst and prevent fluid overload. When your kidneys don’t work properly, sodium and fluid buildup in your body. This can cause swelling (edema), increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, and heart damage.

Low sodium meal planning

For most people on dialysis, it’s good to eat no more than 1500-2000mg of sodium/salt each day. Target less than 600 mg per meal and less than 200 mg for a snack.
Eliminate salt in cooking and at the table. Add herbs and spices for extra flavor. Read labels on condiments and sauces as many contain a lot of sodium.
Greatly limit fast food, pizza and frozen meals. Cook meals at home using fresh ingredients.
Skip processed food, such as cold cuts and cheeses, packaged foods, and store-bought soups and canned food.

Desserts with more flavor

Add:

  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Poppy Seed
  • Clove
  • Cinnamon
  • Cardamom
  • Lemon
Get more tips

Soups/stews with more flavor

Add:

  • Chili powder
  • Fennel
  • Nutmeg
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Saffron
  • Cumin
  • Garlic & onion
Get more tips

Pasta with more flavor

Add:

  • Basil
  • Caraway
  • Garlic
  • Oregano
  • Fennel
  • Turmeric
  • Saffron
Get more tips

The importance of reading food labels

Wanda Yu, a Satellite Healthcare dietitian, makes it easy to understand how to read a food label for better food choices.

 

Read more about reading food labels

Discuss your monthly lab results with your dialysis dietitian

Monthly blood and other lab tests help your dialysis dietitian understand what nutrients you need more of and which nutrients you may need to limit.

Manage diabetes for a longer life

Uncontrolled diabetes makes it harder to stay healthy on dialysis. Monitor and control your blood sugar. Take prescribed medications. Make food choices to help control your blood sugar.

Get other tips on how to manage diabetes for a better life on dialysis

Home dialysis may offer more freedom with food

Most people on dialysis in a center need to monitor their diet and fluid intake carefully to stay healthy. This means thoughtfully planning meals to:

  • Control potassium and phosphorus intake
  • Get enough of the right kinds of protein
  • Limit salt/sodium intake
  • Monitor fluid intake
  • Get enough kidney-friendly calories to stay healthy and active

Home dialysis may offer more freedom with food

Dialysis at home has many advantages. A significant one is more  flexibility with food choices. People having treatments at home may have:

  • More freedom to eat foods they love
  • Less need to reduce the amount of fluids they drink
  • Fewer medications to take

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