Adopting a Kidney-friendly Diet
A kidney-friendly diet will help keep your body in balance and make sure that you get the nutrition you need to stay healthy.
![Dialysis patient and their partner eating a quiet meal](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/2019-09/3.%20BAXTER_DTP_SubPage_4.0_Diet%20and%20Dialysis.png)
Understanding what you should and should not eat while on dialysis is an important part of treating your chronic kidney disease (CKD). Maintaining a balanced diet including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and liquids will provide you with a good foundation for staying healthy while on dialysis. Listening to your clinician or dietitian’s advice about what your body needs is essential, particularly if it means changing some of your current habits.
![Grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter standing in a kitchen, talking and laughing at the sink](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/2019-10/WhatisCKD%5B5%5D.png)
Adjusting Your Diet for Dialysis
As a patient starting dialysis treatments, you need to make many adjustments to your daily life. As your clinician may have told you, this can include changing what you eat and drink. Your kidneys are not able to filter waste and extra fluid out of your body the way they should, so your diet needs to exclude certain types of foods for your body to stay healthy and balanced throughout treatment.
Adopting a more kidney-friendly diet does not need to be a challenge. Understanding your dietary needs throughout your treatment journey can help you feel well and do your best.
![Patient and their spouse preparing a kidney-friendly salad together](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/2019-07/Adopting_a_kidney_friendly_diet_largetile_02.png)
General Diet Guidelines on Dialysis
Specific dietary restrictions for dialysis differ from person to person. However, there are some general guidelines all patients should follow, whether on haemodialysis (HD), including home haemodialysis (Home HD), or peritoneal dialysis (PD).
![Dialysis patient enjoying a quiet cup of tea in their kitchen](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/2019-07/Adopting_a_kidney_friendly_diet_largetile_03.png)
Therapy-Dependent Diet Guidelines
Your optimal dialysis diet is determined by your age, weight, level of kidney function, and what type of dialysis you are on, as well as whether you have other health conditions, such as, hypertension, high cholesterol or diabetes. Dietary requirements are the same for people being treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and haemodialysis (HD), including home haemodialysis (Home HD). However, there are a few key differences to keep in mind.
Where to go next?
![Man and woman enjoying riding their bikes outside](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/styles/small_tile_image/public/2019-09/Exercise_small_tile_600x260.png?itok=dgzgVmHA)
Exercising on dialysis
Staying physically healthy can help you get the most out of your treatment. Learn about ways you can be active while on dialysis.
![Man and his wife waiting for a train together at a train station](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/styles/small_tile_image/public/2019-09/Traveling_small_tile_600x260.png?itok=2P8moXRs)
Travelling on Dialysis
It may be possible for you to continue travelling after your diagnosis. Learn more about travelling with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
![Couple out for a walk, holding hands](/sites/g/files/ebysai2471/files/styles/small_tile_image/public/2019-09/Intimacy_small_tile_600x260.png?itok=PnDTfGp_)
Intimacy
It is possible for you to maintain intimate relationships while you are on dialysis. Learn more about intimacy and dialysis.