Peritoneal Dialysis  
            Nephrology Program                                 and Diet
                The kidney continuously cleans your blood and gets rid of waste in urine.  Wastes include urea, excess 
                water, excess sodium (Na) and potassium (K).  They are formed when the foods we eat break down in 
                our body.
                When your kidneys do not work properly, your body retains the wastes.  This can make you feel sick 
                and weak  Peritoneal dialysis takes over some kidney functions.  You will eat foods that help keep 
                wastes at a safer level.
                What do I eat when I am on peritoneal dialysis?
                The dietitian will plan a diet for your own condition and adjust it as needed.  Your diet helps control 
                the protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid you take in through the foods you eat.
            Protein                                                                                  Sodium (Na)
            Proteins maintain and repair your body tissue.                                           Sodium is found in table salt and in 
            When protein foods break down, they form a waste                                         many foods we eat.  Sodium regulates 
            product called urea.  When your kidneys cannot                                           your body fluids and blood pressure.  
            remove the urea from your blood, you may not                                             Extra sodium is removed from the 
            feel hungry.  You may feel sick to your stomach or                                       body by healthy kidneys.
            throw up.                                                                                When your kidneys cannot remove extra sodium, 
            Peritoneal dialysis removes the urea, but protein is                                     you may:
            lost when you do your exchanges.  If you develop                                         •  Feel thirsty 
            peritonitis (inflammation of the inner lining of your                                    •  Have fluid build-up
            abdomen), you will need to eat more protein.
            The best, high-quality protein comes from meat,                                          •  Have high blood pressure
            poultry, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese.  Fruits,                                   •  Have swelling of your hands or feet
            vegetables, breads and cereals provide poor                                              •  Have problems breathing.
            quality protein.                                                                         Make sure you follow your prescribed diet to help 
            To avoid weight loss and                                                                 control those problems.
            muscle breakdown, it is 
            important to eat all the 
            protein we have prescribed 
            in your diet.
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        Potassium (K)                                              Fluids
        Potassium is a nutrient found in almost all foods          Any food that is liquid at room  
        and beverages.  It is in fruits, vegetables and            temperature is a fluid.  Some fluids  
        milk products.                                             include milk, tea, ice cream, jello,  
        You need potassium for the nerves and muscles to           soup and ice cubes.
        function.  When your kidneys do not work properly,         Healthy kidneys control fluid balance  
        the potassium level in your blood can get                  in the body.  When kidneys are not functioning 
        too high or too low and                                    properly, fluids build up.  You may notice:
        affect your heartbeat.                                     •  Swelling of your hands and feet
        Peritoneal dialysis                                        •  Shortness of breath
        helps to remove the                                        •  High blood pressure and
        extra potassium.
        It is important to                                         •  Weight gain. 
        choose foods carefully                                     Peritoneal dialysis removes fluid from your body.   
        in your diet.                                              When a lot of fluid needs removing, you must use 
                                                                   dialysate bags with higher sugar content (2.5% or  
        Phosphorus                                                 4.25% dialysate). 
        Phosphorus is a mineral found in all foods.  It is in      You will also absorb some sugar from the dialysate.  
        organ meats, legumes, nuts, whole grain products,          This will make you more thirsty, create more calories 
        chocolate and cola.                                        and make you gain weight.  To avoid unhealthy 
        Your bones need phosphorus. When your kidneys              weight gain, control your fluid intake and avoid 
        cannot remove phosphorus from the blood, you               using too many high sugar dialysate bags.
        may develop weak, brittle bones, bone disease and 
        itchy skin.                                                   You are on a Special Diet.  
        Peritoneal dialysis does not efficiently remove               If your family or friends are planning to 
        phosphorus from the blood.  You may need                      provide you with food from home while you 
        medicine (phosphate binders) to                               are in the hospital, please make sure they 
        carry phosphorus out of your body.                            check with a member of the health care team 
        Also, you need to follow                                      first.  See below for contact information.
        your dietitian’s advice 
        and your prescribed diet 
        to control your blood                                         For more information or help, please call:       
        phosphorus.
                                                                      Registered Dietitian:  
                                                                      ______________________________________
                                                                      Tel:  __________________________________
        © 2021 Humber River Hospital.  All rights reserved.  
        The information provided in this handout is for educational purposes.  It does not replace the advice or specific instructions from your doctor, nurse, or other 
        healthcare provider.  Do not use this information to diagnose or treat.  If you have questions about your own care, please speak with your healthcare provider.