Breakfast Dining with Dialysis

Dialysis patients often need to spend a good amount of time carefully considering each bite of food or sip of drink. This is because many foods have ingredients that can be harmful for patients that have chronic kidney disease.

Sodium

The biggest offender when it comes to food for dialysis patients is sodium. Sodium can be harmful in excess because it causes fluid retention, high blood pressure, and edema.

Dialysis patients have to particularly be careful with sodium because it is one function of the kidneys to flush out excess sodium in the blood. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they are not able to do a good enough job, and sodium can build up and cause serious issues.

Potassium

Potassium is another mineral that the kidneys usually regulate but are unable with chronic kidney disease. A lot of foods contain potassium, and therefore need to be monitored or avoided.

Too high potassium levels can cause nausea, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.

Phosphorus

Another mineral that is found in foods and should be monitored is phosphorus. Too much phosphorus can leach the calcium out of your bones, making them weak and brittle. It can also cause a hardening of arteries and blood vessels, as well as other health problems.

Fluid Intake

Many chronic kidney disease patients, especially those with late stage kidney disease that have reached pre-dialysis or dialysis, need to be very careful of their fluid intake. This is because the kidneys typically filter out excess fluid in the body, but are unable to at this point.

Excess fluid in your body can cause extreme swelling, pitting edema, high blood pressure, and a host of other life threatening issues. This means that every sip of water or other beverage you take needs to be accounted for.

Breakfast Options for Dialysis Patients

Breakfast Burritos

Eggs, chopped bell peppers, chilies, and a small amount of hot sauce are scrambled together then wrapped in a tortilla and topped with a tablespoon of salsa.

Homemade Pancakes

Making your own pancake mix rather than using store bought mixes helps avoid unnecessary sodium. For enough for two people, use: 1 cup all-purpose white flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ tablespoon sugar, 1 egg, 1 cup low fat milk, ½ tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil together. Stir together the milk and vinegar and let sit for a few minutes while you mix all of the dry ingredients together. Beat eggs until fluffy, then add the milk mixture. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until combined. Pour the batter in ¼ increments onto a hot griddle, and flip when the batter begins to bubble.

Vegetable Omelet

Make an omelet with fresh low-potassium vegetables such as bell peppers, green onion, squash, carrots, celery, and other veggies.

Quick Options

A plain bagel, toasted, with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.

Two slices of white bread, toasted, with low sodium jam and a side of cottage cheese.

These and more are healthy breakfast options for dialysis patients. Just because you are on a restricted diet does not mean that you can no longer enjoy meals. Of course, always talk to your doctor about your food choices as not all situations are the same.

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