Renal/Kidney Diet
What you eat matters when it comes to prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease. If you already have kidney disease, your kidneys are not filtering some nutrients very well, resulting in building up in your blood. By modifying key foods in your diet, you can prevent excess, or deficiencies, which can be detrimental to your health. A planned renal diet may slow down the progression of kidney disease and help you feel better.
It can be very challenging to put together a kidney diet. Patricia Cali, MS, RD, LD, CDE, a clinical dietician experienced in renal diet, can help you. You will be provided with a customized meal plan, the “My Renal Diet” guide, a shopping list, meal ideas and more. She will develop a personalized, kidney-friendly meal plan for you, to control nutrients which may be out of balance, such as:
- Protein
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Sodium
- Fluid
- Carbohydrate (if you have diabetes)
Your diet requirements will change according to the stage of chronic kidney disease or dialysis you are in:
- If are in stage 1-3 of kidney disease the focus of the meal plan is on controlling your blood pressure, diabetes and weight. A low sodium diet, controlled for carbohydrate if you have diabetes, and daily exercise are recommended. Protein is reduced to 0.8 g/kg /day to preserve your kidney function, a level much lower than what most Americans eat.
- If you are in stage 4-5 of kidney disease (not on dialysis), you may need to restrict potassium, phosphorus and fluids in addition to sodium. Reduction in protein to help decrease waste build-up in the blood may be advised, but maintaining adequate calorie and protein intake to prevent malnutrition is even more important.
The booklet “EATING IN AND OUT WITH KIDNEY DISEASE” gives you tips on eating out in addition to 62 delicious Kidney-friendly recipes for patients not on dialysis.
To purchase a copy for only $7.99, call 
352-871-0204
By starting to make changes today, you can have a healthier tomorrow.
Call DNEC to make an appointment with Patricia Cali.
