Few dietary prescriptions look as contradictory on paper as the one for a person who has diabetes and also receives dialysis. Diabetes nutrition therapy often encourages fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Renal nutrition therapy may call for limiting sodium, potassium, phosphate, and fluid, which can put many of those same foods under scrutiny. [...]
Since the late 1980’s a new concept termed patient centered care emerged and has changed the way that patients are treated surrounding their healthcare, now prioritizing the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and values when making medical decisions and delivering treatment. Patient centered care encourages the collaboration and partnered decision-making between the medical care team [...]
Renal dietitians carry a heavy load: direct patient care, administrative work, and continuing education to maintain credentials. Amid coaching patients on sodium and fluid intake, phosphate additives, and CKD-MBD goals, other conditions can develop quietly, easy for the RD and the rest of the care team to miss. Think of a minor complaint about [...]
Micronutrient concerns are common in dialysis care, but they do not always require complex workups or broad supplement recommendations. For clinicians, the most useful starting point is a practical one: identify patients at risk, look for patterns in intake and symptoms, and intervene in a way the patient can realistically maintain. Dialysis patients may [...]
Phosphate binder selection can look straightforward at first glance. In practice, it usually isn’t. The best binder is not just the one that lowers phosphorus on paper — it’s the one the patient can take, tolerate, and fit into real life. That matters even more in patients with special situations like ostomies, gastroparesis, [...]
Prebiotics. Protein. Omega 3 fatty acids. Adaptogens. What do all of these things have in common? Drinks. Over the past few years, the functional beverage industry has exploded. These products—sparkling prebiotic sodas, protein waters, mushroom teas, electrolyte tablets—promise everything from better gut health to sharper focus and improved immunity. With sleek branding and strong [...]
During Donate Life Month, we’re taking the opportunity to highlight the kidney transplant journey through the eyes of those who have lived it. While every patient’s path to transplant is unique, one constant remains: the essential role of the healthcare team. To better understand this relationship—and to help dialysis clinicians stay connected to the [...]
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a frequent topic of conversation recently. What are ultra-processed foods, and how do they affect health? Food processing emerged in response to World War II, when there was a need for foods that were shelf stable, easy to transport, calorically dense, and palatable. Food technology and product development has [...]
The nutrition community has long espoused the value of a balanced diet, but this can be interpreted in many ways. Are we talking about balanced food groups? Or perhaps balanced macronutrients? Or perhaps balance between fast foods and slow foods? When you are focused on an adaptable and patient-centered approach, the answer to all [...]
Amino acid (AA) containing dialysis solutions for peritoneal dialysis (PD), often referred to in the US as intraperitoneal nutrition (IPN), was first conceptualized in the 1960’s. In the early 2000’s, a 1.1% AA containing dialysis solution was created for commercial use and during that time several research studies were conducted. People using PD are [...]
