Enjoying the Holidays Mindfully: Nutrition Tips for Hemodialysis Patients
December 18, 2025 - Author : Gaëtan Pannetier
The end of the year brings joy, celebration, and shared meals. For people on hemodialysis, it can also present nutritional challenges. Balancing enjoyment with kidney-friendly choices is not only possible but essential for staying healthy throughout the festive season.
1. Festivities and Fluid Control
During the holidays, it’s easy to drink more than usual, festive beverages, soups, and sauces can all add to your daily fluid intake.
How to manage it:
- Use smaller glasses and sip slowly.
- Limit salty or spicy foods that increase thirst.
- Choose water or sparkling water with lemon instead of soda or juice.
- Remember that soups, ice cream, and sauces count as fluids too.
Why it matters:
Excess fluid between dialysis sessions can lead to swelling, shortness of breath, and increased blood pressure. A moderate approach helps you enjoy without discomfort.
2. Keep an Eye on Salt (Sodium)
Many festive dishes , smoked meats, sauces, and ready-made snacks , contain large amounts of sodium. Too much salt encourages fluid retention and raises blood pressure.
Practical tips:
- Replace salt with herbs, garlic, lemon, or spices.
- Choose grilled or roasted meats instead of cured ones (ham, sausage, bacon).
- Prepare sauces from scratch to better control salt content.
3. Manage Potassium: Watch for Hidden Sources
Holiday meals often include high-potassium foods such as dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and potatoes. Elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can affect heart rhythm, so a mindful selection is essential.
Better alternatives:
- Boil and drain potatoes to reduce potassium content.
- Snack on unsalted crackers or popcorn instead of nuts.
- Limit portions of dried fruits and chocolate.
- Pick low-potassium fruits such as apples, berries, or pears for dessert.
4. Maintain Protein Intake
While some people eat lighter during the holidays, dialysis patients need consistent protein to preserve muscle mass and prevent malnutrition.
Good sources of protein:
- Lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb).
- Fresh fish and seafood (avoid salted or smoked versions).
- Eggs and egg-based dishes.
Include a protein source in every meal to maintain strength and recovery between dialysis sessions.
5. Mindful Desserts
Festive desserts are often rich in sugar, cream, and phosphorus. Instead of skipping them altogether, choose or adapt recipes.
Ideas to try:
- Use rice milk or egg whites instead of cream or whole milk.
- Avoid packaged desserts and pastries containing phosphate additives.
- Enjoy small, satisfying portions , moderation is better than restriction.
6. Plan Ahead, Not Perfectly
Before family dinners or parties, plan your meals with intention:
- Eat controlled, balanced portions earlier in the day.
- Bring a kidney-friendly dish to share.
- Take phosphate binders with meals as prescribed.
Small adjustments can make a big difference in how you feel after festive gatherings.
Key Takeaway
You can absolutely enjoy the holiday season while following your dialysis diet. It’s not about avoiding your favorite foods, but about balance, preparation, and mindful choices.
Celebrate the year’s end with joy, flavor, and care , your kidneys (and your heart) will thank you.
Example of a Kidney-Friendly Holiday Menu
Meal examples|
Mixed salad with olive oil and lemon dressing |
|
Roasted turkey with boiled potatoes and green beans |
|
Apple compote with cinnamon |
|
Sparkling water with lemon zest |
References
- National Kidney Foundation. Nutrition and Fluid Guidelines for Hemodialysis Patients. (2023).
- KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in CKD: 2020 Update. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020;76(3):S1–S107.
- Cuppari L, et al. Dietary Guidelines for Adults on Hemodialysis. J Ren Nutr. 2021;31(5):430–446.
- Kidney Care UK. Festive Eating on Dialysis – Tips for Christmas and New Year. (Accessed 2024).
- NIDDK. Diet for Hemodialysis Patients. (Updated 2023).