For Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients, one of the most difficult limitations they contend with is the Renal Diet. Although, they monitor their calorie intake to maintain their weight and often count roughly how many calories they consume in a given day, patients are often unable to do this with important minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Similarly with fluid consumption, patients often closely monitor how much fluid they take in, sometimes to the fluid ounce, to prevent fluid overload and issues with treatments which may lead to fatigue, edema (swelling), shortness of breath, and poor patient outcome. However, when it comes to watching key minerals Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients do not have much to go on other than a food being consider "high" or "low" in phosphorus, potassium, and/or sodium. Yet, by understanding the following breakdowns for the daily recommended intake of important minerals, then patients can have a lot more options in their diet and feel much less restricted by keeping count of their actual intake.

Northwest Kidney Centers offered the following insights for a Dialysis patient's daily consumption of phosphorus, potassium, and sodium:

Phosphorus - If you are on Dialysis, limit phosphorus to about 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day.

Potassium - If you are on Hemodialysis, limit potassium to 2,000 milligrams (mg) per day. If you are on Peritoneal Dialysis or Home Hemodialysis, limit potassium to 3,500 milligrams (mg) per day.

Sodium - Most people should limit sodium to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day.

With this in mind, Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients may now mix-and-match foods based upon how they fit into their daily dietary restrictions. For instance, a Hemodialysis patient can enjoy a ½ cup of corn (195mg potassium), 1 medium banana (425mg potassium), and 6 ounces of yogurt (435mg potassium) which would account for approximately 1,055mg of the patient's maximum daily potassium intake of 2,000mg. Hence, once a Chronic Kidney Disease patient is able to couple his/her food selections with the relative mineral composition, then s/he will have a lot more options.

The following is a list of foods commonly considered "off-limits" as well as respective phosphorus, potassium, and sodium levels:

1 medium Potato: 200mg phosphorus, 925mg potassium, 20mg sodium

1 cup of Oatmeal: 330mg phosphorus, 290mg potassium, 253mg sodium

1 medium Banana: 25mg phosphorus, 420mg potassium, 0mg sodium

1 medium Avocado: 105mg phosphorus, 970mg potassium, 15mg sodium

McDonald's French Fries: 90mg phosphorus, 420mg potassium, 135mg sodium

Pepperioni Pizza: 220mg phosphorus, 190mg potassium, 680mg sodium

1 single slice of Cheese: 140mg phosphorus, 25mg potassium, 170mg sodium

1 medium Tomato: 30mg phosphorus, 290mg potassium, 5mg sodium

1 single Hotdog (no bun): 95mg phosphorus, 140mg potassium, 670mg sodium

1 ounce Roasted Pork Back Ribs: 45mg phosphorus, 70mg potassium, 25mg sodium

Burger King Double Cheese Burger: 270mg phosphorus, 370mg potassium, 910mg sodium

1 ounce Vanilla Shake: 25mg phosphorus, 50mg potassium, 25mg sodium

1 cup Spaghetti with Meatballs: 120mg phosphorus, 280mg potassium, 470mg sodium

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Be sure to discuss any changes to your Renal Diet with your Dietitian who can give you specific insights to your unique dietary needs. How do you monitor your food intake? Share your answer with the over 37,000 KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page Friends (click here). Also, KidneyBuzz.com has reached over 1,200,000 individual viewers in the past 12 months -- rapidly becoming one of the leading go-to resources in the Chronic Kidney Disease Community. Visit us every day for the latest breaking news and information which teaches those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives.