Helpful tips, recipes and resources to support a kidney friendly diet and support a better health through smart nutritional choices
Nutrition is a vital part of managing kidney disease and dialysis treatment. At this stage, you may need to adjust your eating habits to ensure you receive the right nutrients while protecting your kidney function. With the support of experienced nutritionists available at every DaVita center, you’ll learn how to adopt a balanced, satisfying, and kidney-friendly diet.
Your body needs energy every day to function at its best. Without proper nutrition, you may feel fatigued, unfocused, and less motivated. A weakened immune system can also result from poor nutrition—especially for dialysis patients, who often have increased nutritional needs. Our goal is to help you stay energized, strong, and well-nourished throughout your treatment journey.
Nutrition is a fundamental part of kidney disease treatment. At this stage, dietary changes are often necessary to ensure your body receives the nutrients it needs to stay strong and well-nourished. With the guidance of registered dietitians available at every DaVita center, you’ll learn how to eat in a balanced, enjoyable, and nutritious way.
As kidney function declines, your body may struggle to eliminate excess fluid, leading to fluid retention and potential complications. Common symptoms include sudden weight gain, increased blood pressure, and swelling (edema), which may appear in the ankles, hands, eyelids, face, or abdomen. In more severe cases, fluid may build up in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing—a condition known as pulmonary edema.
Healthy kidneys normally regulate potassium in the blood. However, in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys struggle to remove excess potassium. Although dialysis helps remove some of it, potassium can build up quickly between sessions. That’s why controlling your potassium intake through food is vital to your health and safety.
