Want information on a "renal" diet?

Question

My father has been told that for all intents and purposes his kidney's are no longer functioning. He has been put on a renal diet. I don't know much about it but the parents say it is a rough one to follow. Anybody with experience with it, any ways to make it more pleasant and palatable? Thanks you!

Answer 1

I just want to comment. I am a RN and work in a hospital with dialysis pts who are frequently hospitalized and it seems like they often are suffering and go through many medical problems and depend on their MD to take care of them.
I work with a nephrologist who treats most of the 5 county radius around here. He is excellent and is very respected in our area.
He believes if you are on dialysis and your kidneys have already failed, there is not point in going on a renal diet. Renal failure patients deserve to have some pleasure in life and if eating is one of those pleasures, then eat and enjoy it except for fluid restrictions which sometimes can be hard to deal with. He believes nephrologists cannot save kidneys which have already failed. A lot depends on whether your dad has started dialysis yet.
Dialysis if meant for those whose kidneys are shut down and your not going to save them if your already on dialysis. Its too late.
If you are nearing dialysis and you still have some kidney function left they nephrologist do order a renal diet in order to preserve kidney function which consist of limited potassium, sodium, phosphorus and is very strict. It is designed to help you not to have to start the grueling dialysis routine, most of the time it is too late I hate to say. Its very hard to follow. Its like eating nothing. Consult the dietician in your hospital and he/she can help you with your dads diet.
RN