{"id":247522,"date":"2025-07-08T08:30:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T08:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/247522\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T08:30:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T08:30:26","slug":"tamil-nadus-special-protein-rich-diet-for-dialysis-patients-why-it-is-essential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/247522\/","title":{"rendered":"Tamil Nadu\u2019s special protein-rich diet for dialysis patients: Why it is essential"},"content":{"rendered":"

People undergoing dialysis will receive a special meal during each session, including milk, boiled eggs, chickpeas and low-salt biscuits, to help replace the protein they lose during treatment. <\/p>\n

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Published Jul 08, 2025 | 7:00 AM \u268a Updated Jul 08, 2025 | 7:00 AM<\/p>\n


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\"Protein-rich<\/p>\n

Protein-rich food items. (iStock)<\/p>\n

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Synopsis<\/strong>: The Tamil Nadu Health Department launched a new protein-rich diet scheme in all government hospitals to improve the health of dialysis patients. Experts say this is a much-needed step. Dialysis removes not only waste from the blood but also important nutrients. Without enough protein, patients may face muscle loss, tiredness, and low immunity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Health Department launched a new protein-rich diet scheme in all government hospitals to improve the health of dialysis patients. <\/p>\n

Under this plan, launched by Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on 19 June, people undergoing dialysis will receive a special meal during each session, including milk, boiled eggs, chickpeas and low-salt biscuits, to help replace the protein they lose during treatment.<\/p>\n

Experts say this is a much-needed step. Dialysis removes not only waste from the blood but also important nutrients, such as protein, especially albumin. Without enough protein, patients may face muscle loss, tiredness, and low immunity. <\/p>\n

But how effective is this new diet? Why is a protein-rich diet important for dialysis patients? And what common food myths are still misleading patients?<\/p>\n

Also Read:\u00a0How microbiome health impacts kidney in diabetes<\/a>
\nWhy protein is essential<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMany dialysis patients don\u2019t get enough protein, and that leads to serious weakness,\u201d said Dr Sundar Sankaran, Director of the Aster Institute of Renal Transplantation. <\/p>\n

\u201cProtein is needed to build muscle, fight infections, and repair tissues. Without enough, the body breaks down its muscle,\u201d he explained. The result is protein-energy wasting (PEW), a condition that causes muscle loss, poor wound healing, frequent infections, and low blood pressure.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with mild kidney failure restrict too much protein and end up becoming weak,\u201d he said. He explained that this fear-driven restriction is often based on outdated or Western guidelines. \u201cThe protein restriction is for Western diets, not for Indian, especially South Indian vegetarian diets, which are already low in protein,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He warned that low albumin levels combined with low creatinine in dialysis patients is a sign of severe protein deficiency. \u201cThis situation needs the attention of a nephrologist and a renal dietitian right away,\u201d he said. For a 60 kg patient, the daily protein requirement is around 72\u201390 grams, but many patients eat far less than that, either because they\u2019re unaware or they fear worsening their kidney condition. \u201cThat fear is based on myths,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He noted that the government\u2019s protein diet package is a helpful step, especially for low-income patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, it provides only about 20 to 30 percent of a dialysis patient\u2019s daily protein needs. It\u2019s a supplement, not a complete solution,\u201d said Dr Sankaran. <\/p>\n

Noting patients still need to eat other protein-rich foods like lentils, paneer, fish, or lean chicken to meet their full requirement, he added that Tamil Nadu is the only state doing this so far: \u201cIt\u2019s a good beginning for others to follow and do even better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Busting myths and mistakes\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

While stressing the importance of protein intake, Dr Sankaran also warned about common mistakes and myths that mislead many patients. \u201cHigh potassium is the real killer in dialysis,\u201d he said. Eating too many bananas, oranges, or tomatoes can lead to dangerous potassium buildup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fluid control is also important. \u201cKidneys in these patients can\u2019t remove extra fluids. They need to be careful with water, tea, coffee and soup, especially in hot, humid weather when they feel thirsty.\u201d He also advised caution with supplements, \u201cDon\u2019t use protein powders or herbal products without medical advice. It can create more problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are also several myths that confuse patients, he said. \u201cOne of the most common is that \u2018all protein is bad for kidneys\u2019. In fact, dialysis patients need more protein, not less. Another harmful belief is that \u2018drinking more water helps flush the kidneys\u2019. For dialysis patients, too much fluid can be dangerous. Many also think pink salt is safer, but sodium-free salts like pink salt contain potassium, which can be fatal if levels go up,\u201d he warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For families trying to plan meals at home, he suggested using affordable protein sources like lentils, soaked chickpeas, eggs, and small amounts of paneer or fish. Combining foods like rice with dal can help meet protein needs. \u201cPlant proteins can be enough if planned well, but adding milk or eggs improves quality,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For rural and low-income families, using local grains, vegetables, and support from government programmes can help. He also warned that eating too much protein without medical advice can be risky. \u201cExcess protein may lead to high urea, phosphate overload, and fluid imbalance,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to get the amount right, not too little, not too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, above all, he stressed, \u201cDon\u2019t follow online kidney diets blindly, which is completely based on the concept of \u2018One-size-fits-all\u2019. Every patient\u2019s needs are different and so the diet plan needs personalization. Always take help from a renal dietitian.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an age of social media myths and half-truths, doctors say it\u2019s more important than ever for dialysis patients to follow a proper, protein-rich diet guided by real medical advice.<\/p>\n

Also Read:\u00a0What you need to know about hereditary kidney diseases<\/a>
\nGeneral diet plan and the need for personalisation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deepshikha Khattar, a renal dietitian at Dr RML Hospital in New Delhi, shared a general diet plan that could support dialysis patients in maintaining their nutritional balance.<\/p>\n

She stressed that while protein is crucial to compensate for the loss during dialysis, it should be consumed in moderation, as excess protein, especially from vegetarian sources, can lead to high phosphorus levels, which are harmful to kidney patients.<\/p>\n

On a typical day, patients can start their morning with a cup of toned milk (without sugar) and a few plain biscuits. For breakfast, they may have two rotis or a bowl of poha (beaten rice), daliya (broken wheat), or sabudana-based (sago) dishes, along with curd or milk, a little paneer, and egg white, if allowed. Fruit from the safe list, such as apple, papaya, guava, or pear, can be taken mid-morning.<\/p>\n

Lunch could include two rotis or a small bowl of rice, one bowl of cooked vegetables, a portion of salad, and a protein source like paneer, chicken, curd, or pulses. In the evening, tea can be taken with light snacks such as puffed rice, makhana, or biscuits. Dinner can be similar to lunch, with rotis or sabudana khichdi, vegetables, salad, and pulses. A small bowl of milk or kheer made from sabudana or makhana can be consumed after dinner.<\/p>\n

She also advised patients to limit their fluid intake and avoid high-potassium and high-phosphorus foods like red meat, egg yolk, rajma, soybean, full-cream milk, and certain fruits and vegetables. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and potatoes can be eaten after cutting them into small pieces and boiling them briefly to reduce potassium content.<\/p>\n

While general diet plans can be useful, a personalised diet is essential for dialysis patients due to their specific medical needs. Deepshikha explained that key nutrients like protein, potassium, phosphorus and sodium must be carefully balanced based on the patient\u2019s medical reports.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, if a person weighs 60 kg, they may need around 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kg per day. But if we increase protein, especially in vegetarian diets, phosphorus levels also go up, which can be harmful for dialysis patients,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

This delicate balance makes personalised guidance crucial. She added that phosphorus-rich foods like milk and other vegetarian sources can complicate the diet. \u201cSometimes we suggest protein powders to maintain protein intake without pushing up phosphorus levels\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hence, even though a general plan offers a basic structure, the safest and most effective approach is to consult a renal dietitian for a plan tailored to each patient\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)<\/p>\n

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