Question: What is (are) Kidney Failure: Eat Right to Feel Right on Hemodialysis ?
Answer: Potassium is a mineral found in many foods, especially milk, fruits, and vegetables. It affects how steadily your heart beats. Healthy kidneys keep the right amount of potassium in the blood to keep the heart beating at a steady pace. Potassium levels can rise between dialysis sessions and affect your heartbeat. Eating too much potassium can be very dangerous to your heart. It may even cause death. To control potassium levels in your blood, avoid foods like avocados, bananas, kiwis, and dried fruit, which are very high in potassium. Also, eat smaller portions of other high-potassium foods. For example, eat half a pear instead of a whole pear. Eat only very small portions of oranges and melons. Dicing and Boiling Potatoes to Reduce Potassium You can remove some of the potassium from potatoes by dicing or shredding them and then boiling them in water. Your dietitian will give you more specific information about the potassium content of foods. Talk With a Dietitian Make a food plan that reduces the potassium in your diet. Start by noting the high-potassium foods (below) that you now eat. A dietitian can help you add other foods to the list. High-Potassium Foods apricots avocados bananas beets Brussels sprouts cantaloupe clams dates figs kiwi fruit lima beans melons milk nectarines orange juice oranges peanuts pears (fresh) potatoes prune juice prunes raisins sardines spinach tomatoes winter squash yogurt Others:______________________________________ Changes: Talk with a dietitian about foods you can eat instead of high-potassium foods. Instead of _________, I will eat _________. Instead of _________, I will eat _________. Instead of _________, I will eat _________. Instead of _________, I will eat _________.
Source: NIDDK