Biggest Problem With Indian Diet For Dialysis Patients
There are so many misconceptions about diet for a dialysis patient. When a patient is advised for dialysis their relatives, friends, and colleagues give him/her so much advice on the diet which worsens their condition.
In my 7 years of experience, I had seen many patients with Dialysis who had to worsen their condition due to this misconception. People instead of going to the Qualified Dietitian prefer to search for google or ask relatives, etc. Most doctors are also not giving correct information.
The restrictions associated with a dialysis patient differ from person to person. In case you are on dialysis, make sure to get in touch with a qualified dietitian and discuss the suitable diet for you. So here I am going to discuss some of the biggest problems with the Indian Diet for Dialysis Patients.
Can Dialysis patients have protein?
I have seen many patients with dialysis who have to stop eating protein or limit their intake of protein which end up in malnutrition. And from there it becomes very difficult for us to maintain the proper health of the patient. Once the patient has started dialysis, a higher amount of protein in the diet is necessary to help maintain blood protein levels. Dialysis removes protein waste from the blood, so a low-protein diet is no longer required.
For hemodialysis patients, the recommended protein intake is 1.2 g/kg/day and for peritoneal dialysis 1.2-1.3 g/kg/day.
Dialysis patients have to eat only boiled vegetables/ food without oil and spices
This is the most common problem when patients come to us they are weak and malnourished. Their family members stop giving them oil and spices because they think it may worsen their disease condition. But it is not true already their appetite is not good with that if you serve them boiled food without spices they are not willing to take food. So make their food tastier and healthier.
Dialysis Patients can't eat fruits
Fruits are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet and provide vitamins and minerals, fiber, and taste. So fruit should be included in their diet but it should be low potassium fruits.
Low sodium levels are due to restricted salt intake
The low food intake for many days leads to a drop in sodium levels. Taking Diet as per recommendation by Dietitian can help to maintain electrolytes within normal limits. Don’t use table salt, Package foods, or Processed food as they contain a high amount of salt
Dialysis Patients can't eat normal food
Food with high salt and high potassium is to be restricted in a Dialysis patient. With Dialysis, there is also a loss of vitamins, Minerals, and protein. Protein malnutrition is very common in dialysis patients because of their poor intake. So proper diet should be given to them
Dialysis is the treatment for kidney disease
Dialysis is the method of purification of blood from waste products that are not removed because of kidney failure. It is required when kidney function decreases to less than 15ml/min and patient
Urine output is less because of less fluid intake
The most patient thinks their urine output is less due to less fluid intake. But this is not the fact their urine output is less because of kidney disease, and water loss during dialysis. Drinking an excessive amount of water will not increase urine output. It is less because the kidney's functioning is not proper...If excess water is taken then excess water will retain in the body which will hamper their health.
Message for Dialysis Patients
I have seen many patients who are not willing to do Dialysis even if the doctor advised them to do so. Dialysis treatment removes excess wastes and fluid from your blood. It will make your health better and you will have more energy to cope with the life changes. However, studies have also shown that receiving adequate dialysis will help you to live longer.
Message for dialysis Patient relatives
Family members should encourage their patients to pursue their normal activities. Always support them to live a normal life. Motivate them mentally because they need mental and emotional support.
Taking proper medications and following the recommended diet with fluid restrictions will help in successful dialysis.
Here at Basic Meals, we prescribe the proper diet plan and also motivate how to live a healthy lifestyle.
