Kidney Diet Tips

Fluid calculation tips for dialysis patients following a fluid restriction

Iced Tea with Lemon

Iced Tea with LemonFollowing a dialysis diet fluid restriction is easier if a person has a plan to keep up with the amount of liquids consumed each day. Keeping a running list of fluids consumed is the best way for kidney patients to track fluid intake. These helpful steps will increase awareness of fluids consumed: 1. Start each day by recording the prescribed fluid goal on a piece of paper, in a notebook, on a computer or PDA—a source with easy access throughout the day.

2. Next, record all the planned fluids for the day’s meal plan. These can be checked off as the fluids are consumed.

3. After each meal or snack and before bedtime, check off the planned fluids consumed, and record any unplanned fluids consumed.

4. At the end of the day, total the daily fluid intake and compare it to the daily goal. If exceeded, consider ways to adjust planned fluids the following day.

Fluids may be recorded as a measure of fluid ounces (oz), milliliters (ml) or cubic centimeters (cc). Milliliters and cubic centimeters are equal.

The following conversion table is helpful for measuring daily fluids.

1/2 oz = 1 tbsp = 15 ml or cc
1 oz = 2 tbsp = 30 ml or cc
2 oz = 1/4 cup = 60 ml or cc
4 oz = 1/2 cup = 120 ml or cc
8 oz = 1 cup = 240 ml or cc

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara is a renal dietitian with over 30 years experience working with people with diabetes and kidney disease. She is co-author of the popular kidney cookbook "Cooking for David: A Culinary Dialysis Cookbook". Sara is the Manager of Kidney Care Nutrition for DaVita. She analyzes recipes and creates content, resources and tools for the kidney community. In her spare time Sara loves to spend time with her young grandson, including fun times together in her kitchen.