Dialysis: Hungry for Variety? Study Suggests Some Low-Phosphorus Foods OK

You’ve heard the advice before. Avoid or limit phosphorus. Less than 350 mg of phosphorus per day is what’s usually recommended for dialysis patients.

There are other restrictions too, like avoid or limit foods high in potassium or sodium. And protein has to be carefully monitored, because too much can push phosphorus levels too high.

But what if you could tolerate slightly higher phosphorus levels in your diet without negative side effects?

The answer…New research suggests you can enjoy more variety in your diet. In a recent study, researchers found that it may be possible to add certain types of foods to your diet without putting your health at risk. Researchers at Cork University Hospital in Ireland followed 74 dialysis patients for a year. One group followed a standard diet for dialysis patients, limiting phosphorus. A second group followed a modified Mediterranean Diet by eating less animal protein, and more:

• Whole grains
• Pulses
• Nuts
• Fish

Eating this way helped people consume more fiber-rich foods without risking complications linked to phosphorus and kidney disease. Researchers believe phytate in these foods help prevent phosphorus absorption, allowing dialysis patients to enjoy a little more variety in their diet.

“Emerging opinion supports the introduction of more plant protein in the form of whole grains, pulses and nuts where the phosphorus is largely bound by phytate and therefore not as available for absorption,” says Dr. Fiona Bryne. Hungry for healthier food for a Dialysis-Friendly diet? Check out some of our most popular meals. Pick your favorites, and you’ll be ready to eat in minutes. Meals can be found here.:

• Baked Tilapia, Brown Rice & Minted Carrots
• Beef Lasagna with Peas & Carrots
• Breaded Chicken Patty, Spring Vegetables & Corn
• Eggplant Parmigiana and Polenta with Spinach & Roasted Peppers
• Spinach Mushroom Lasagna with Garlic Green Beans
• Vegetable Caponata with Orzo & Spinach