National Nutrition Month 2026 - Discover the Power of Nutrition for Dialysis Patients

March is National Nutrition Month – a time to reflect on how the food choices we make every day have impact on our health, strength, and overall quality of life. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” shows how the dietary choices we make can help fuel our bodies.

For dialysis patients, nutrition is not just about eating well. Nutrition also helps protect your health, your bones, and your energy levels. The power of nutrition and building healthy habits help us feel great now and in the future.

Treatment + Daily Diet = Fluid Overload Prevention

Completing dialysis treatments and your daily diet work together to help prevent fluid overload. Excess fluid can cause serious health issues like swelling (edema), increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and low albumin. It can also lead to more cramping and blood pressure issues at your next treatment.

Here’s how you can help prevent fluid overload:

• Stick to your treatment schedule to remove extra fluid. Shortening each treatment by just 5 minutes adds up to about 13 hours (3-4 full treatments) per year.
• Follow your fluid allowance. For most dialysis patients, the recommended fluid intake is 32 ounces per day plus the amount of urine output. Your dialysis team can help you determine what fluid amount is right for you. Sticking to your fluid allowance helps you gain less weight between your treatments and reach your dry weight every time.
• Limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300mg per day. Cook at home and limit takeout. Use herbs and spices in place of salt to season your food. Swap out salty snacks for unsalted options.
• Manage your blood sugar. High blood sugar can make you feel thirsty and cause you to drink too much.
• Get enough protein. Keeping your Albumin at or above 4.0 can aid fluid balance in your body.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Whenever you have a conflict with your dialysis time, try to reschedule your treatment. If there is an emergency that prevents you from making it to treatment, reduce your fluid intake by 50% (16 ounces) and avoid all high potassium foods until you can have treatment again. Follow the 3-Day Emergency Diet provided by your Registered Dietitian.

Everyone’s dialysis journey is different, and nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. Always talk with your kidney doctor and dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, fluid intake, or treatment routine. They can provide personalized guidance based on your labs, medications, and medical history.

This National Nutrition Month, take some time to educate yourself about the power of nutrition in supporting your kidney health. From improved energy levels to better lab results and fluid balance, the right nutrition choices can make a meaningful difference every day for people on dialysis. Happy National Nutrition Month!

Additional Resources:

Learn more about how RDNs can help you here.
Learn more about how dialysis and diet work together to help prevent fluid overload here.