Chronic Renal Failure Diet

DEFINITION

The aim of the Chronic Renal Failure Diet is to:
-Reduce the level of protein in the diet to minimise production of waste products which the kidneys then have to excrete.
-Provide adequate calories to meet energy requirements.
-Maintain adequate vitamin intake.

DESCRIPTION

In some cases, the diet will also control the intake of sodium and potassium.

NOTE: The precise level of protein, sodium and potassium which you require should be worked out by your Doctor or Dietitian according to the results of your blood tests. These levels should be reviewed regularly. The following diet plan supplies approximately 40g protein, 40-60mmol sodium and 50-60mmol potassium.

DIET SHOULD BE HIGH IN

1. Complex carbohydrates which contain little protein, for example potato, sweet potato, vegetables and rice.
DIET SHOULD BE ADEQUATE IN

THE DIET SHOULD BE CONTROLLED IN

1. PROTEIN such as meat, poultry, fish, seafood, dairy foods, peas and beans, nuts, soy bean products and eggs. It is best to choose good quality protein foods which provide the full range of essential amino acids. Vegetable-based proteins must be combined together in a meal to obtain complete protein, for example, peas and beans and cereal as in refried kidney beans and corn tortillas or baked beans on toast.
Aim for a daily intake of : 1 egg, cooked any way + 30g meat, chicken for lunch + 60g meat, chicken or for dinner.

Protein foods are interchangeable, for example, 30g meat
= 45g fish, fresh or tinned
= 250mls milk
= 250mls milk
= 75g cottage or ricotta cheese
= 60g nuts
= 40g peanuts
= 125g yoghurt
= 140g cooked legumes

2. SODIUM content if indicated.
NOTE: The following sample meal plan avoids the use of highly salted foods and assumes that no salt or salty condiments are used in preparing meals. This would be described as a "No Added Salt" diet or "Moderate Sodium Restriction". Levels in sodium content could be achieved by using special "No Added Salt" or "Low Salt" foods and by controlling how much you eat of foods which naturally contain some sodium. Please seek professional help for detailed dietary advice if this applies to you.

3. POTASSIUM content if indicated by blood tests. To lower potassium intake, avoid dried fruit, nuts, wholegrain cereals and bread, dried peas, beans and lentils, golden syrup, treacle, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, chocolate, cocoa powder, liquorice, milo, brewer's yeast.

SAMPLE MEAL PLAN

The following diet has been suggested for this condition.

BREAKFAST

1. Rolled oats boiled with water and stewed fruits.
2. Rye or sprouted wheat toast with hommus and tomato.
3. Fresh carrot juice.
4. 1 glass of water and or herbal tea.

MORNING TEA

1. Boiled brown rice with stewed fruit and or rice cakes with avocado and tomato.
2. Rye bread with cottage cheese.
3. Fresh fruit.
4. Water.

LUNCH

1. 2-4 slices rye bread or 1-1 1/2 cups boiled brown rice with steamed greens.
2. 30g meat or chicken or low salt salmon or tuna.
3. Cooked asparagus, carrots or cabbage.
4. Fresh fruit juice.

AFTERNOON TEA

1. Carrot and celery sticks with hommus or fresh dip.
2. Fresh smoothie.

DINNER

1. 60g meat, mince, pork, veal or chicken or 60g Edam or Swiss cheese or 60g fried fish.
3. One serving cooked carrot or pumpkin.
4. Fresh salad and leafy greens or steamed green vegetables.
5. 1/2cup stewed fresh fruit with 1/2cup plain yoghurt.
6. Herbal tea or fresh fruit juice.

REMEMBER

1. Eat the specified amount of meat and protein foods.
2. Avoid salt and salty foods.
3. Reduce potassium intake if necessary as indicated above (Liberalise fruit and vegetable intake if potassium is NOT a problem).

NOTES

Avoid drinking tea or coffee.

DISCLAIMER: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or naturopath before following any medical regimen to see whether it is safe and effective for you.