Dining for Dialysis

About this service

Our team of specialist dietitians want to help you feel better and eat well.

As you go through dialysis, it’s challenging to work out what foods to eat, what foods to avoid and what foods to enjoy. This information, along with advice from your dietitian, will help you take the guess work out of eating.

Who we care for

We care for ACT residents receiving dialysis: either Haemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis.

How to access this service

If you need to speak with a dietitian, ask your dialysis nurse or doctor to arrange for a dietitian to come and see you.

Appointments can be arranged during your dialysis, in a health centre clinic, or via telehealth.

Alternatively, you can arrange an appointment by:

• phone: (02) 5124 1498 or
• email ccnutrition@act.gov.au.

What to expect

Your dietitian is the best person to talk to and consult about how to make the right changes, tweaks and plans for a kidney diet. Your dietitian can help you with:

• what needs to change now
• your goals for the longer term
• finding out what are the barriers and how to overcome them
• bringing your family on the journey with you
• understanding blood test results and what they mean
• monitoring your progress to keep you on track for the long term well being and
• how to plan meals, read labels or modify your own recipes.

Nutrition information

During dialysis you may experience some of the following:

• poor appetite
• constipation
• itchy skin
• feeling tired
• nausea and vomiting and
• weight loss.

Your specialist dietitian and the Renal Supportive Care Team can help you manage your symptoms or avoid having nutrition issues.

The good news is, following the release of new guidelines we know more about kidney nutrition that will make a difference to your health journey.

The latest guidelines on kidney health have recommended:

• changes to the amount of protein you should eat
• eating more plant-based foods such as wholegrain bread and fruit and vegetables and less processed foods such as deli meats, packed foods and takeaways
• choosing lower salt foods and knowing your fluid allowance.

Where we're located

We provide in-person services from:

• Belconnen Community Health Centre
• Tuggeranong Community Health Centre
• Canberra Community Dialysis Centre and Renal Home Therapies

Telehealth services are available on request.

Resources

General Nutrition Resources

• The Heart Foundation
• Diabetes Australia
• Nutrition Australia

Kidney Nutrition and Lifestyle Resources

• Nutrition and Kidney Disease Resource Library
• Kidney Health New Zealand
• Kidney Care UK Beam - UK based Exercise program for people with Kidney disease

Translated and Culturally Diverse Resources

• Patients’ Corner: Kidney-friendly recipes from around the world
• National Diabetes Services Scheme: Diabetes and Healthy Eating
• Kidney Health Australia Translations Resource Library

Kidney Food Skills and Recipes

• Kidney Foundation Canada: Recipes and Meal Plans
• Kidney Care UK: Kidney Kitchen Skills
• American Kidney Fund