How Dialysis Patients Can Increase Protein While on a Budget
For those on dialysis, registered dietitians can sometimes sound like a broken record: “EATMOREPROTEINEATMOREPROTEINEATMOREPROTEIN!”
There’s a reason why this is your nutritionist’s mantra. Protein is extremely important for dialysis patients, because the treatment filters out protein. If you are on dialysis, you must replace the nutrients lost; otherwise, you may experience muscle wasting and fatigue, or your immune system may not function well.
Anyone who has ever gone food shopping knows that protein-rich foods, such as meat and fish, tend to be the most costly items in your shopping cart. However, it is possible to buy protein without breaking the bank.
Try adding the following inexpensive, protein-rich options to your diet:
Eggs
Compared to meat and fish, eggs are a relatively inexpensive yet potent source of protein—a three-egg omelet has as much protein as a three-ounce burger. While eggs have gotten a bad rap because of their cholesterol content, it is important to note that the dietary cholesterol found in eggs will not raise your blood cholesterol as much as saturated fats like those found in sausage, fried foods, and cheese. Also, most people on hemodialysis tend to have low cholesterol levels. Be sure to check with your doctor or nutritionist before adding more eggs into your diet.
Fish
While salmon and tuna are great, economical options such as perch or tilapia are delicious and have just as much protein. Cut down on costs by purchasing fillets which limit waste and have the lowest price per pound. If you shop at a local fish store, go at the end of the day. They may cut the price to clear out the day’s inventory, in order to make room for tomorrow’s catch.
Additionally, canned tuna is a good buy and markets often have it on sale. Chunk light tuna has just as much protein as white tuna for a lower price. Salt-free tuna tends to cost more. Remove salt at home by emptying a can of regular tuna in a strainer, then run under water.
Chicken and Turkey
Chicken and turkey are relative bargains. A whole chicken is usually inexpensive and will feed an entire family. Leave leftovers for later in the week if you live alone. You can use the bones to make soup stock. If you prefer boneless chicken, the thigh tends to be cheaper than breast and has just as much protein. Also, ground chicken and turkey make great burgers.
Meat
When shopping for red meats, go for lower-priced cuts. Round steak is cheaper than sirloin or club steak and very high in protein.
In addition to the above, dialysis patients should check their phosphorus levels with their doctor or registered dietitian. If levels are low or well controlled, beans or cheese may be incorporated as an inexpensive, and tasty, protein source.
Remember: there is no pill that you can take to increase this important fuel source. The only way to get enough protein is through nutritious food.
Diane Lieberman, PhD, RD, CSR, CDN, is the nutrition manager at the Mount Sinai Dialysis Center. Prior to working with Mount Sinai, she was the nutrition manager at Rogosin Institute for 21 years. There she managed a staff of dietitians, consulted on research projects, and was responsible for Hemodialysis, Home Hemo coverage, and Peritoneal Dialysis as well as chronic kidney disease and post- transplant patients.
Shop Smart
Use these tips to optimize your grocery shopping:
- Prevent expensive impulse purchases by checking your supermarket’s weekly ads and deciding what sale items you will buy in advance.
- Fast foods may seem fairly inexpensive, but for the price of a single meal, you could have bought a whole chicken or two dozen eggs and gotten a lot more protein per dollar spent.
- If you get some of your food at a pantry, you may find that many of the items offered, like beans and canned meats, are not ideal for dialysis patients. Take them anyway. You may have family members who can eat those foods, leaving some room in your total family budget for you to buy alternate protein.
Valentine Reed-Johnson RD, CDN, is an outpatient dietitian in the Clinical Nutrition Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Previously, she worked inpatient for four years primarily with vascular and general medicine patients. Currently, Ms. Reed-Johnson works with the KPE OB/GYN clinic. She has an interest in Diabetes and Wellness Nutrition. She especially enjoys writing as it is the best way to reach the most people and clear up the overwhelming amount of conflicting Nutrition information in the media.
To create this treat, mold a hard-boiled egg using a milk or juice carton. Cut a clean, empty carton in half and place the warm hard-boiled egg inside. Using a thin wooden spoon or chop stick, press down on the warm egg being careful to not crush. This treat receives xtra points for the protein!
Cut some apple slices and then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to remove the core. This crispy snack is high in soluble fiber, which supports heart health by sweeping out excess cholesterol in your system. Soluble fiber may help lower your risk of developing diabetes. It can also help control blood sugar for people who already have diabetes.
Cheeses are generally high in phosphorus. Fortunately, there is an exception to the rule: cream cheese. Low in phosphorus, cream cheese is a good choice for people who are watching their phosphorus intake. To make this treat, fill a plastic bag with cream cheese, cut a hole in the corner, and pipe into cut strawberries.
Samantha Wu, MS, RD, CSR, CDN, is a senior dietitian at Mount Sinai Kidney Center. She works with adult and pediatric patients on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home hemodialysis. Ms. Wu enjoys creatively helping patients fit their favorite foods into a healthy, kidney-friendly diet.
Jennifer Ross, MS, RD, CDN, is a clinical dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital with the 