How to Give Dietary Advice to Patients with Kidney Disease?

Abstract

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) display a variety of metabolic and nutritional irregularities, with majority of patients already being malnourished before starting dialysis. The screening, assessment and monitoring of nutritional status using an amalgamation of valid, complementary methods is crucial. Early and suitable dietary intervention is vital for preventing, diagnosing and treating malnutrition. All the misconceptions and myths about diet and food need to be resolved. Patient-centric realistic meal plans and dietary counseling are initiated at the early stages of CKD and the commencement of dialysis, with regular follow-ups on an ongoing basis with diet diaries that help prevent malnutrition. This review article will discuss the practical and simple dietary approaches for counseling patients to increase dietary compliance and meet the recommended requirements.