-Dr. Apeksha Ekbote
Ph.D,RD,CDE
Chief Dietician, NephroPlus
Its holiday season of the year yet again and Christmas being a festival of joy, togetherness and of course cakes and drinks, kidney patients have to be cautious of their diet in order to maintain their biochemical parameters normal and lead a normal life on Dialysis.
Here are some tips for Holiday season that patients on dialysis can follow:
- Moderation is the key, and it is important to control the portion size when there are many dishes on the table to choose from.
- Fill your plate with low potassium foods and high protein foods with moderate phosphorus.
- Limit salty namkeen, chips, papads, podis and pickles as accompaniments with your main meal or as a snack. Limiting sodium will not only keep your blood pressure under control, but also, not increase fluid in your body.
- If meal is cooked at home, ensure the vegetables are leached before cooking. Leaching does not remove potassium completely however, 70% of it is reduced.
- Limit to chicken/boneless fish for non veg lovers. Red meat or Mutton and organ meat is extremely high in phosphorus and its best to avoid.
- Alcohol or drinks can be limited to 150ml only of any one drink. This has to be added to the daily fluid allowance. However, patients with Hepatitis B or C should not indulge in alcohol.
- Christmas plum cakes are rich in dry fruits and nuts, preferably have a small piece during the first hour of dialysis and if one wishes to enjoy with family, a small slice of plain cake is preferable.
- If you are on a holiday, NephroPlus offers Holiday dialysis at various places which you can opt for else, it is always advisable not to skip dialysis and ensure you get dialysed as prescribed by your Nephrologist.
Following small tips and measures can ensure normal life of dialysis. Remember that everyone wants to party, be merry and enjoy with loved ones and why not! We all deserve that happiness. However, be mindful in eating, portion size and moderation along with appropriate time of consumption of your favourite food is important. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!