Restaurant Food Can Be Just As Bad As Fast Food For Chronic Kidney Disease And Dialysis Patients
Most Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients believe that if they cannot eat at home the next best thing is eating at a local restaurant. A sit down restaurant is believed to be a much better option for Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients than a greasy fast food stop, right? Well, new research conducted by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that "eating at a full-service restaurant is not necessarily healthier than eating at a fast-food outlet."
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This is big news for Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients specifically since leading resources and Dialysis Providers suggest that, "Dining out is a nice treat every once in a while, and you don’t have to miss out if you’re on the Dialysis Diet." Well, this may not be the case. Lead author of the European study, Ruopeng An found that, "In fact, you may be at higher risk of overeating in a full-service restaurant than when eating fast food." Risks may be due to the fact that, "Most restaurants are not accustomed to cooking for people in Renal Failure," according to Dietitian and Writer - Mathea Ford.
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Among the major concerns noted in the study were the higher intake of cholesterol, sodium and potassium when eating at restaurants. As most Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients are aware, the dangerous mixture may increase Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Heart Disease (leading cause of death in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients).
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Professor Ruopeng An was straightforward with his recommendation, "My advice to those hoping to consume a healthy diet and not overeat is that it is healthier to prepare your own foods, and to avoid eating outside the home whenever possible." Still, eating out can be a good break from cooking and give Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients an opportunity to spend time relaxing with their family and friends. Hence, employ the following strategies to improve health outcomes in the case of eating out:
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE EATING - Ask your waiter what is in the food that you are considering. Ask if it is fresh or frozen as often times frozen foods contain higher levels of phosphorus and sodium.
SELECT YOUR RESTAURANT CAREFULLY - It is important to choose restaurants that offer food that is made to order because, "These are the facilities most accustomed to special requests and most likely to accommodate your requests to make eating out for renal patients much easier," according to Ford.
CUT THE CUP SIZE - Order drinks in kid's size cups to avoid the temptation of over-drinking which may result in fluid overload.
BE CLEAR - Clearly share with your server what items you cannot have and other ingredients you want to avoid when ordering your meal. Double check that your dish does not include harmful ingredients by asking your server if the desired foods were excluded before eating.
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