What are the best foods to eat while on dialysis? A Comprehensive Guide

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, eating the right foods on dialysis can significantly improve overall health, reduce waste buildup, and help manage critical nutrient levels. Knowing what are the best foods to eat while on dialysis is essential for feeling better between treatments and protecting your heart and bones.

Quick Summary

A dialysis diet requires special attention to balancing protein, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake, along with managing fluids. Following these guidelines helps minimize toxin buildup and fluid retention, which protects the heart and bones.

Key Points

Prioritize Protein: Increase your intake of high-quality protein from sources like lean meats, poultry, fish, and egg whites to compensate for protein lost during dialysis treatments.
Control Key Minerals: A renal diet requires careful management of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium levels to prevent dangerous buildups that can harm your heart and bones.
Limit Fluid Intake: Work with your healthcare team to determine a daily fluid limit and be mindful of hidden fluid sources like ice cream, soups, and gelatin.
Avoid Processed Foods: Minimize or eliminate processed, pre-packaged, and fast foods, which are typically high in sodium and inorganic phosphorus additives.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check food labels for sodium content and ingredients that indicate phosphorus additives (words containing 'phos').
Consult a Renal Dietitian: For personalized dietary advice based on your blood test results and specific health needs, a renal dietitian is the best resource.

The Core Principles of a Dialysis Diet

For individuals on dialysis, the kidneys are no longer able to effectively filter waste products and excess minerals from the blood. The dialysis treatment process removes these toxins, but a carefully controlled diet is crucial to prevent harmful buildup between sessions. A renal dietitian is the best resource for creating a personalized eating plan, as individual needs vary based on remaining kidney function and specific blood test results.

Prioritizing High-Quality Protein

Dialysis treatments can remove protein from the body, making it essential to increase high-quality protein intake. Protein is vital for building and maintaining muscle, repairing tissues, and fighting infection. High-quality protein sources produce less waste for the kidneys to process.

Here are some excellent high-quality, kidney-friendly protein choices:

Skinless Chicken and Turkey Breast: These are lean options lower in fat and naturally high in protein.
Fish: Many varieties, like sea bass and canned tuna, provide healthy protein. Some fish, however, can be higher in phosphorus and should be eaten in moderation.
Egg Whites: The yolks contain high levels of phosphorus, making egg whites a superior protein source for a renal diet.
Lean Beef and Pork: Small, controlled portions of lean cuts can be included.

Choosing Low-Potassium Fruits and Vegetables

Potassium levels can become dangerously high between dialysis sessions and affect heart rhythm. Fortunately, many fruits and vegetables are low in potassium and safe for regular consumption. Soaking or boiling some vegetables can also help reduce their potassium content.

Low-potassium choices include:

Fruits: Apples, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), cherries, grapes, pineapple, and plums.
Vegetables: Cauliflower, carrots (cooked), cucumbers, green beans, kale, lettuce, onions, and bell peppers.

Limiting High-Phosphorus Foods

High phosphorus levels can weaken bones and cause calcification of blood vessels. Since dialysis is less effective at removing phosphorus, managing dietary intake is very important. Avoiding processed foods is one of the best strategies, as they often contain phosphorus additives that are easily absorbed by the body.

Low-phosphorus options to include:

Grains: White bread, white rice, pasta, and corn or rice cereals.
Dairy Alternatives: Unfortified rice milk, unsweetened almond milk, or non-dairy creamers.
Fats: Olive oil, margarine, and unsalted dressings.

Managing Sodium and Fluid Intake

Excess sodium causes thirst and can lead to fluid retention, which increases blood pressure and puts a strain on the heart. Dialysis patients must carefully control both sodium and fluid intake.

Tips for controlling sodium and fluids:

Use herbs, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder to flavor food instead of salt.
Avoid processed and pre-packaged foods, as they are typically very high in sodium.
Limit intake of canned soups, deli meats, fast food, and many condiments.
Use smaller cups for beverages and manage intake of all liquids, including soups, ice cream, and gelatin.
Rinse canned vegetables and beans to reduce sodium.

Comparing High and Low Mineral Foods for Dialysis


Nutrient	High-Intake Foods to Avoid/Limit	Low-Intake Foods to Choose	Notes
Potassium	Bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, dried fruits, nuts, milk	Apples, berries, grapes, pineapple, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuce	Soaking and boiling certain vegetables can further reduce potassium content.
Phosphorus	Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, cola sodas, processed meats	Egg whites, fresh fish, lean meat (in moderation), white rice, pasta, non-fortified rice milk	Always check labels for phosphorus-containing additives (often with "phos" in the name).
Sodium	Processed foods, canned soups, frozen dinners, deli meats, bacon, pickles, soy sauce	Fresh meats, fresh or frozen vegetables (no salt added), herbs, spices, fresh garlic, lemon juice	Cooking from scratch allows for complete control over sodium content.
Protein	Processed meats (high in additives)	Lean beef, pork, skinless chicken, turkey, egg whites, fresh fish	Dialysis patients often need more protein than average, but should prioritize high-quality sources.

Special Considerations for a Dialysis Diet

Fluid Management: Fluid restrictions are critical for most dialysis patients, particularly those with little to no urine output. Excessive fluid can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, swelling, and shortness of breath. Monitoring weight gain between sessions is a common way to track fluid balance.
Reading Labels: Learning to read food labels is a powerful tool for managing a renal diet. Look for low-sodium products and avoid items with phosphate additives, often listed with the letters "PHOS" in the ingredients.
Working with a Dietitian: A renal dietitian is the most qualified professional to help create a personalized eating plan based on your bloodwork and medical history. Your nutritional needs can change over time, and regular consultations are vital.
The Benefit of Plant-Based Diets: For some dialysis patients, increasing plant-based foods can be beneficial. Many plant sources contain less absorbable phosphorus than animal products, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber can help with metabolic acidosis and improve overall health. Discussing a plant-dominant diet with a renal dietitian is recommended.

Conclusion

Navigating a renal diet on dialysis can seem challenging, but it is a fundamental part of a successful treatment plan. By focusing on high-quality protein, managing fluid intake, and limiting foods high in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, patients can dramatically improve their health and well-being. The key is to make informed food choices, read labels carefully, and work closely with a renal dietitian to tailor a diet that meets your specific needs. Embracing home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients is a simple yet powerful step toward better health while on dialysis. For more information and delicious, kidney-friendly recipes, consult reputable sources like the National Kidney Foundation and DaVita.

Frequently Asked Questions

To manage thirst, limit your sodium intake, use smaller cups for drinks, try sucking on lemon wedges or sugar-free hard candies, and chew gum.

Yes, but you must choose low-potassium varieties like apples, berries, grapes, and cauliflower. Some high-potassium options like bananas, oranges, and potatoes should be limited or avoided.

Dialysis treatments remove protein from the blood, so patients need to increase their intake of high-quality protein to maintain muscle mass, repair tissues, and fight infections.

You can reduce the potassium content of vegetables like potatoes by leaching. Dice or shred them, soak them in water for at least two hours, then boil them in a fresh pot of water before cooking.

High-phosphorus foods to avoid or limit include most dairy products (milk, cheese), dried beans, nuts, chocolate, and dark-colored sodas, especially cola.

Yes, avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium chloride. Always check the ingredients and opt for fresh herbs, spices, or lemon juice for flavoring instead.

Your specific dietary needs are based on your blood test results and overall health. A renal dietitian will analyze these factors to create a personalized plan and make adjustments over time.