Kidney Diet Tips

Thirst Quenching Flavored Water for Hot Summer Days

By guest blogger DaVita Dietitian Kara Hansen, MS, RDNiStock_000047085042_Small Rasp Water

Summer is here and so is the heat! Nothing quenches thirst like an ice cold beverage. If you are a kidney patient who’s watching fluid intake, always be aware of how much fluid you are drinking, especially in the summer when tempted to drink more because of the heat. It’s a good idea to check with your dietitian to find out how many ounces or cups are allowed each day for fluid.

If you are not limiting fluids, you may be concerned about potassium, phosphorus and sodium content of the beverages you drink. It’s important to know the ingredients in chosen beverages, as many bottled drinks and powdered mixes contain phosphate additives that can raise blood phosphorus levels. Commercially prepared beverages may contain high potassium ingredients or additives, and some even have hidden sodium.

Some common tips for thirst control include avoiding salt and other high sodium foods, measuring and keeping track of liquids, and sucking on frozen fruit like grapes and blueberries.

DaVita.com has six new kidney-friendly flavored water beverage recipes that will help quench thirst, contain no phosphate additives, and are easy on the budget. Try one of these easy, refreshing beverages today!

Kidney patients can get more helpful tips from their dietitians and from these DaVita.com articles:

Additional Kidney Diet Resources

Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:

DaVita Food Analyzer

DaVita Dining Out Guides

Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks

DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Diet and Nutrition Articles                                                       

Diet and Nutrition Videos

Kidney Smart® Virtual Classes

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.

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.