NUTRITION:  The Art of Good Eating

Table of Contents
Go back to Homepage

CAPD and Diet

arrowleft.gif (267 bytes)
Prev

arrowright.gif (266 bytes)
Next

Since you have decided to start Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) you have probably heard that you do not have to follow a restricted diet. Your diet will be more liberal than before, but you still need to be aware of your sodium, potassium, fluid, and protein intake. Before reading further, take a few minutes to review those sections. This will help you be more familiar with the changes you need to make in your diet now. Turn to the Sodium, Potassium, Fluid, and Peritoneal Dialysis section.

All right. Now that you have refreshed your memory, let's go on.

Because your dialysis will now be 24 hours a day instead of 36 to 48 hours a week, more sodium, potassium, fluid, and protein will be removed. The amount removed is different for everyone, so your diet may be different too. You will have to watch your fluid weight gains, blood pressure, and blood values closely. When you finish this section you will know how to do this, and be able to adjust your diet accordingly.

Sodium, Fluid, and Blood Pressure

With CAPD, sodium and fluid intake usually can be increased. However, too much salt can still make you thirsty and cause you to drink too much fluid. The amount of sodium and fluid you need depends on your fluid weight changes. Watch yourself daily to make sure you are not gaining or losing too much fluid weight. If you are gaining extra fluid weight, cut back on your sodium and fluid intake. If you are losing too much fluid through your dialysis, increase your sodium and fluid intake. Watch your salt intake. If you feel thirsty often, it may be too high.

Your weight yesterday morning: ____________________
Your weight this morning: ____________________
Difference: ____________________
Do you need to change your sodium and fluid intake?  How?

Some people on CAPD have problems with low blood pressure. If yours is too low, your doctor may tell you to put more salt and fluid in your diet. Some easy and tasty ways to do this follow.

capd.gif (33223 bytes)

Check the ones that you might try:

  • Bouillon cubes or broth packets (a warm way to get both fluid and salt).
  • Cup of regular canned soup.
  • Salted crackers with tuna fish, peanut butter, or cheese spreads.
  • Salted chips with dip.
  • Luncheon meats like ham, bologna, liverwurst, or pastrami.
  • Convenience foods such as casserole mixes, or canned meals.
  • Check the sodium section for other high-sodium foods to try.

Potassium

Your blood potassium should continue to stay within the low-normal range. Most people find they can add 1 to 2 servings of medium-potassium foods to their diet. But watch your blood values; if your potassium goes too high, cut back. If it is below normal, add 1 to 2 servings and check your blood values again.

Was your last potassium blood test:

(Choose one):
  •   high
  •   normal
  •   low

Now, choose what you need to do:

  • Add 1 to 2 servings medium-potassium foods?
  • Cut back 1 to 2 servings medium-potassium foods?
  • Continue with your present diet?

 
Protein

Your protein needs will continue to be high, just as with regular peritoneal dialysis. Reread the Peritoneal Dialysis section. Are you eating as much protein as you should? Check your blood values. Is your albumin (Choose one): n normal n low

If your albumin is low, read through the Protein section again for ways to increase it.

Other Considerations

With CAPD you will now have dialysis fluid inside you all the time. Because of this, you may have problems with a feeling of "fullness," here are suggestions that may help. Check the ones that you will try:

  • Smaller, more frequent meals, perhaps 6 to 8 small meals a day.
  • Drinking fluids between meals rather than with meals.

You may find that you begin to gain tissue ("dry weight") on CAPD. This is because your body is absorbing sugar from the dialysis fluid. The weight gain is helpful if you have been underweight, but gaining too much can become uncomfortable. If you feel you are gaining too much weight, check with your nutritionist. A safe way to help you return to your ideal body weight can be planned.

weigh.gif (12269 bytes)

 

Why continue to follow a diet on CAPD?

When you start CAPD you start a less restrictive form of dialysis. Your diet will probably be less restrictive too, but this does not mean it is less important. To be successful on CAPD you must stay in good health. This can be done by good nutrition. It is important that you watch your fluid weight gains, blood pressure, and blood values closely so you will know when your diet should be changed.

 


Go back to top