“Why Do I Have to Limit Dairy?”
If you are on dialysis, you may be wondering why you must limit dairy. It is hard to make dietary changes, especially if you have grown up drinking cow’s milk, eating cheese and enjoying ice cream.
End Stage Kidney Disease and Minerals
Most people on dialysis have been diagnosed with end stage kidney disease (ESKD). That means the kidneys are functioning at 15% or less (1). Since kidneys play a role in maintaining mineral balance in the body, people with ESKD are told to monitor and reduce their intake of minerals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorous and calcium — not an easy task! Since these minerals are important to the body, it takes mindful effort and help from a dietitian to consume the proper amounts.
Plant-Based and Vegetarian Options
There is a silver lining to the difficult task of following a kidney-friendly diet, which is that plant-based and vegetarian eating can help. The difference between the two is plant-based diets do not exclude animal-derived foods such as meat, eggs and dairy. However, plant-based eating has a larger focus on foods derived from plants (ie. whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes and vegetable oils). Vegetarian diets exclude animal products (chicken, steak, pork and/or fish), but some people choose to keep eggs and dairy in their diet. Vegan diets exclude all animal products, including honey. Lacto-ovo diets include eggs, dairy and honey. Pescatarians eat fish and seafood. Flexitarians or semi-vegetarians eat red meat and poultry in controlled amounts and may take breaks from these foods periodically.
Benefits of Plant-Based Eating for People with ESKD
People with ESKD on hemodialysis can benefit from a primarily plant-based, healthy, whole-foods diet (excluding refined grains, processed foods and sweetened beverages). Although plant-based foods can contain high amounts of minerals such as potassium and phosphorous, these minerals are absorbed in smaller amounts compared to animal-based sources.
The two main causes of ESKD are diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension). Healthy vegetarian and plant-based diets protect the kidneys by helping control blood sugar and blood pressure (2) that ultimately can help protect the kidneys.
Vegan “Cheese” vs. Regular Cheese
If you are a cheese lover, you may want to try vegan “cheese.” There are a variety of brands you can find in grocery stores. Check out the mineral content and differences of vegan “cheese” vs. American cheese below.
Nutrition Facts*
Vegan cheese 1 ounce American cheese 1 ounce
Potassium 129 mg Potassium 37 mg
Calcium 173 mg Calcium > 290 mg
Sodium 194 mg Sodium 468 mg
*Taken from https://www.nutritionix.com/food/vegan-cheese; nutrition contents may vary.
Understanding your food options can help you plan a healthy, kidney-friendly meal and find balance in your diet. When in doubt, check with your dietitian who can help you find foods that fit within your specific kidney diet.
REFERENCES:
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/what-is-kidney-failure
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10780746/
- https://www.nutritionix.com/food/vegan-cheese
Additional Kidney Diet Resources
Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:
DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes
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.
Recent Comments