What should dialysis patients eat

You will need to follow a dialysis diet if you are getting dialysis (deye-AL-i-sis) treatment. The dialysis machine removes wastes from your blood when your kidneys cannot do this job. These wastes come from the foods you eat. Wastes slowly build up in your blood between your dialysis treatments. You can decrease the amount of these wastes by following the dialysis diet.
Any food that contains liquid, such as soup, must be added in the amount of liquid that you may have each day. Any food that melts when it is not cold, such as gelatin or ice cream, must also be counted.
Ask your caregiver if you should make other diet changes because of other health problems you may have. You may need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement (pill). Your caregiver will recommend the right vitamin and mineral supplement for you if you need one.
You may need to stop using salt substitutes because they also contain potassium.
Eat high fiber foods to avoid becoming constipated. Constipation is having dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass. High fiber foods include vegetables and fruits, whole grains (whole wheat bread and bran cereals) and legumes (beans, lentils). Eat only the amounts of high fiber foods suggested by your caregiver to avoid getting too much potassium, phosphorus and sodium.