Maintaining Kidney Care and Eating Healthy During The Holidays

Eating Healthy During Holidays For Kidney Health

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As the holidays quickly approach, it's important that those with kidney disease plan ahead a little bit more meticulously than most, especially if travel is involved. Chances are, your doctor or nutritionist has you on a meticulous diet and dialysis regimen that can't be thrown out of whack during the holiday season. While a "cheat day" here and there might be permissible for most, kidney patients don't really have that luxury, since it can set back treatment and reignite old habits -- and the holidays are no exception.

Find A Local Dialysis Center

If you're traveling during the holidays, remember that it's important to find a local dialysis center near your destination, far in advance. During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you may find that appointments tend to get booked very quickly, so be sure to reserve your time. Call ahead to find out what type of documentation you'll need to bring with you. We've written extensively on the topic of dialysis during travel, so check out that article for more details.

How to Eat Healthy During The Holidays

Chances are that you'll be spending time during the holidays with family and/or friends eating, drinking and being merry -- all activities that make it easy to cheat on your nutritionist-prescribed dietary restrictions. But with these helpful tips, you'll be able to make it through the holidays without setting your health back.

• Eat a snack - Before you head off to what will probably be a gigantic meal, have a healthy snack. It'll curb your appetite, help keep your portions in control, and make the schmorgas board of goodies feel less appealing.
• Don't drink - Alcohol isn't going to do anything good for your body. It's empty calories and can do extensive damage to your kidneys and liver, especially for those on dialysis. Although no doctor will ever permit excessive binge drinking, ask your doctor if it's safe for you to drink before having that glass of wine with dinner.
• Be social - It's the holidays! Be social and enjoy conversation as you eat, to maintain portion control. The slower you eat, the sooner you'll feel full.
• Bring your own food - Bringing a healthy alternative for others (assuming it's a potluck) and yourself to enjoy will make your dietary restrictions much easier to handle.
• Limit meat consumption - For many kidney patients, salty meat is hazardous for blood pressure, which is one of the contributors of CKD. Severely limit, or avoid altogether, processed meat.
• Know your health - Before you go to the big holiday gathering, pay a visit to your doctor or nutritionist to find out the state of your body. It'll help you gauge more accurately what's safe to eat and what's not before you even arrive at the party.​

As tempting as it may be, try to avoid desserts as well. They tend to be high in sodium and phosphorus and can cause serious harm to a dialysis patient. The holidays are society's excuse to cut loose and give in to unhealthy habits and urges. But unfortunately, for those suffering from kidney disease, that pass isn't available. Peer pressure is real -- especially if you come from a family of food pushers. "Have more!", "you barely ate!", "you've gotta try some dessert" are phrases all-too-commonly heard around family holiday tables. Don't give in to peer pressure, and remind those food pushers that giving in to those desires have more serious consequences for you than they do for them. It's just one day for you to get through and you'll be home free to have a great rest of your holiday!

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