On Dialysis? 5 Easy Ways to Enjoy Low-Sodium Foods

meals

Chances are pretty good you’ve seen a cooking show on TV. What’s the number one thing chefs do to bring out the flavor in food?

The answer: Season a dish with copious amounts of salt. That might taste great. But if you’re on dialysis, too much sodium is a big problem.

Avoid or limit sodium You need sodium for essentially bodily functions. Your nerves need sodium. And your muscles use sodium to help you move, lift, and support your posture. Sodium also helps regulate bodily fluids and controls blood pressure.

But too much sodium, especially if you’re on dialysis can lead to:

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Fluid retention
Complications during dialysis treatments

5 easy ways to enjoy tasty low-sodium meals

Wondering how to enjoy food that tastes great without loading up on sodium?

Don’t worry. You can. Here’s how:

1. Read food labels. When you’re on dialysis and have kidney disease, the National Kidney Foundation recommends limiting sodium to no more than 1,500 mg per day.

How do you know how much sodium you’re consuming? Read food labels on packaging. FYI…35 mg of sodium per serving is considered low sodium.

2. Choose low-sodium foods. When you go grocery shopping, look for foods with no sodium, or low sodium. For example, you can get pasta made without added salt or sodium. Canned beans and vegetables typically have a low-sodium option.

3. Skip the salt shaker. Why? A single dash of salt contains about 150 mg of sodium. That might not seem like much. But you’ll likely go over the 1,500 mg day of sodium limit if you salt all your food. Instead, season your food with sodium-free herbs and spices.

4. Cook at home more often. Processed foods and meals made with chemicals and preservatives are typically high in sodium. Fast food and restaurant meals are high in sodium too. Here’s an easy fix. Cook at home more often with natural ingredients, whole foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables…without adding lots of extra salt.

5. Let us cook tasty low-sodium meals for you. Our team of professional chefs have created 48-plus renal diet foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner that are low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Pick your favorites, and you’ll have your next meal ready in minutes.