The Basics of the PD Diet by Maria Karalis RD, CSR, LD Nutrition is an important part of your dialysis treatment plan. To put forth your best in all aspects of your life, you need to make an effort to maintain your health by eating enough of the right kinds of foods or less of restricted foods. Protein Patients on PD are advised to follow a high protein diet because protein is lost through the peritoneal membrane with every dialysis exchange. Protein is needed by the body to keep your tissues healthy and replace old or damaged tissue.
Protein is also important as an aid for the body in preventing infection.
Since the potential for infection is always present with PD, it is important to maintain a diet rich in protein. There are two kinds of protein. High quality protein, or animal protein, comes from milk, meats, chicken, fish and eggs and contain all the needed ingredients for tissue growth. Low quality protein, or plant protein, comes from vegetables, breads, cereals and are lacking in some of the ingredients tissues need to grow. You need both kinds of proteins.