Will My Diet Need to Change While on Dialysis?

If you’re starting dialysis, one of the biggest changes you’ll face—beyond treatment itself—is your diet. Both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis affect how your body processes nutrients, which means your food choices may need to shift to help protect your health and maximize treatment success.

At Shifa Dialysis in Chicago, IL, we know how overwhelming these changes can feel. That’s why our interdisciplinary team includes a renal dietitian, who works one-on-one with our patients to build practical, nourishing meal plans tailored to your treatment type and personal health goals.

How Dialysis Impacts Your Diet

Dialysis helps your kidneys do the work they can no longer manage—removing excess waste, salt, and fluids from your blood. However, dialysis isn’t a perfect replacement, and the process itself can affect your nutrient levels. To maintain energy and stay well-nourished, patients undergoing dialysis often require targeted adjustments to their daily eating habits.

The specifics of your dietary plan will depend on whether you’re on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, as well as your overall health, laboratory results, and any other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Common Dietary Changes for Dialysis Patients

Here are a few of the major adjustments many dialysis patients make:

1. Protein

Dialysis filters waste—but it also removes some protein. You’ll likely need more high-quality protein (from sources like eggs, chicken, and fish) than you did before to help maintain muscle strength and support healing.

2. Sodium

High sodium intake can lead to fluid retention, high blood pressure, and heart strain. Limiting salt in your diet helps control thirst and reduces complications between dialysis sessions.

3. Potassium

Too much potassium can affect heart rhythm and may be dangerous. Many patients need to limit high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and potatoes.

4. Phosphorus

Elevated phosphorus levels can weaken bones and cause calcium to build up in blood vessels. You may need to avoid phosphorus-rich foods like dairy, nuts, beans, and colas.

5. Fluids

Fluid management is crucial for dialysis patients, particularly those undergoing hemodialysis. Limiting fluid intake helps reduce strain on the heart and lungs between treatments.

Hemodialysis vs. Peritoneal Dialysis: Different Needs

Hemodialysis patients typically follow stricter fluid and phosphorus limits due to fewer sessions per week. Peritoneal dialysis patients, who dialyze daily, may have more flexibility but still require careful monitoring of nutrients and fluid balance.

Because every patient is different, there is no one-size-fits-all plan. That’s why working with a renal dietitian—like the one on staff at Shifa Dialysis—can make all the difference in your long-term health and energy levels.

Support from Our Chicago Dialysis Team

At Shifa Dialysis, our mission is to care for the whole patient—not just your kidneys. Our interdisciplinary team includes experienced nurses, technicians, physicians, and a dedicated renal dietitian who works closely with each patient to personalize dietary plans and answer any nutrition-related questions.

We also offer:

• In-center dialysis and staff-assisted home dialysis
• Culturally sensitive care and multilingual support
• Convenient location serving patients across Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn, and surrounding communities
• A patient-first approach built on compassion, respect, and trust

Whether you’re new to dialysis or seeking a care center that puts your comfort and health first, Shifa Dialysis is here to support you every step of the way.

Start Dialysis with a Team That Supports Your Whole Health

Your diet is a vital part of living well on dialysis. With guidance from the renal dietitian at Shifa Dialysis in Chicago, you can feel more confident about managing your meals, maintaining your energy, and enjoying life.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our dialysis services and patient support options.