What Foods should I Avoid with Kidney Failure on Kidney Dialysis

Dialysis is the treatment used for individuals with late-stage kidney failure, known as End Stage Renal Disease, or ESRD. Dialysis patients should follow a special diet and avoid certain foods as below.

Dairy products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain high levels of both minerals, and patients should limit or completely avoid these foods while on dialysis. Dialysis patients should limit their dairy intake to 1/2 cup of milk or 1/2 cup of yogurt or 1 ounce of cheese per day.

Fruits high in potassium
Limiting or avoiding the fruits that have large amounts of potassium is important for patients on dialysis. Examples of fruits to avoid include bananas, kiwi, and avocados. Oranges and dried fruits should be limited or avoided as well.

Canned foods
Sodium levels can become elevated when the kidneys are not functioning properly, leading to fluid retention in between dialysis sessions. Patients on dialysis should limit sodium intake to avoid this problem. Canned foods contain large amounts of sodium and should be avoided as much as possible.

Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds should be avoided by patients on dialysis because they contain high levels of both phosphorus and potassium. Peanut butter, dried peas, beans and lentils also contain both minerals as well.

Whole grain foods
Whole grain products like whole wheat bread, bran cereal or brown rice all contain significant amounts of phosphorus and potassium as well. These products should be avoided by dialysis patients.

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