All the things I must avoid / cut down. Again not something my “specialist” ever spoke about. I will be raising this with her the next time I see her as nurses at St Helier and Guy’s were quite clear on the matter insofaras adhering to cutting this out/down WOULD have prolonged the time before needing to start dialysis!

đźš« MUST AVOID – Kidney-Safe Rules

❌ High-Potassium Foods

(These can dangerously affect your heart rhythm)

  • Bananas
  • Oranges & orange juice
  • Potatoes (all types: boiled, jacket, chips, mash)
  • Tomatoes & tomato-based sauces
  • Avocados
  • Spinach & beet greens
  • Dried fruits (e.g. raisins, apricots)
  • Coconut water
  • Beans & lentils (including baked beans)
  • Mushrooms (limit fresh, avoid dried)
  • Pumpkin, squash, sweet potato
  • Chocolate (all kinds, including hot chocolate)

❌ High-Phosphate Foods

(Can damage bones, blood vessels, and heart)

  • Cheese (especially hard cheeses like cheddar)
  • Milk (limit to small amounts if allowed)
  • Nuts & seeds
  • Peanut butter
  • Wholegrain bread & brown rice
  • Bran cereals, Weetabix, porridge oats
  • Processed meats (bacon, ham, sausages, black pudding)
  • Tinned fish with bones (sardines, pilchards)
  • Cola drinks (contain phosphate additives)
  • Chocolate again (double offender!)
  • Store-bought baked goods with phosphate additives (read labels)

❌ High-Salt (Sodium) Foods

(Causes fluid retention, raises blood pressure)

  • Stock cubes / bouillon / gravy granules
  • Packet sauces, instant noodles, Pot Noodles
  • Canned soups and ready meals
  • Salty crisps and snacks
  • Takeaways (Chinese, Indian, kebab, pizza, etc.)
  • Tinned meats like corned beef or spam
  • Soy sauce, miso, and fish sauce
  • Bacon, ham, gammon
  • Pickles and olives
  • Salted butter and margarine
  • Fast food and processed burgers

❌ Drinks to Avoid

  • Orange juice / tomato juice
  • Cola (Pepsi, Coke, etc.)
  • Hot chocolate
  • Beer or wine in large quantities (see below)
  • Protein shakes (unless prescribed)
  • Herbal teas with unknown ingredients
  • Dairy-heavy drinks (e.g. milkshakes, lattes)
  • Coconut water or potassium-rich smoothies
  • Energy drinks (high potassium & phosphate)

❌ Other Things to Watch Out For

  • Large portions of “safe” foods (even low-potassium foods can add up)
  • Salt substitutes (often contain potassium instead!)
  • “Low sugar” sweets with sugar alcohols (can cause gut upset)
  • Multivitamins or supplements not approved by your doctor/dietitian
  • Anything labelled with:
    • “Phos-” (phosphates)
    • “Potassium chloride”
    • “Disodium phosphate”, E340–E343, E450–E452 (check food labels)

🍺 Alcohol?

A single pint of beer occasionally, like on a Sunday with friends, is usually fine if your fluid limits and blood levels are stable â€” but always check with your renal team first. Dialysis will change this.