What foods should be included in the diet of people with stage 5 kidney failure?

I was recently diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, but I haven't started dialysis yet. I also have long-standing diabetes and high blood pressure (glomerular filtration rate = 10). What foods and nutrients should I focus on supplementing my diet? Do I need to exercise to aid in my recovery from chronic kidney disease? If so, what exercises would be suitable? Please advise!

Báo Đồng Nai•17/07/2025

(Ms. Phan Yen, 56 years old, residing in Trang Bom commune)

The doctor replied:

Hello, sir!

Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, also known as end-stage renal failure (glomerular filtration rate ≤ 15 ml/min/1.73m² - yours is 10 ml/min/1.73m²), is a severe stage where the body is accumulating toxins, experiencing electrolyte and metabolic imbalances, and is prone to malnutrition and fatigue.

The important thing now is for you to see a nephrologist immediately to consider a kidney replacement treatment plan such as peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, or kidney transplantation.

In addition, you need to carefully control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and have regular check-ups to detect early complications of kidney failure. At this stage, a suitable diet and exercise regimen are often not very effective, but they can slow down the progression of serious complications caused by kidney failure.

A healthy diet should not consist of excessive amounts of one type of food, but rather a varied diet. There are a few things to keep in mind:

You should eat foods that are low in protein but high in energy, such as egg whites, lean meat, fish, and low-protein dairy products.
You should eat plenty of healthy fats such as olive oil, sesame oil, and vegetable oil.
It's important to balance your water intake to avoid causing swelling and shortness of breath.
Avoid eating too much fruit and vegetables because of the risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood).
You should avoid eating foods high in salt, processed foods, and foods of unknown origin.

Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease are still advised to exercise, choosing exercises and intensity levels that are suitable for their bodies, avoiding strenuous activity. Some exercises that can be applied include: gentle stretching, yoga, slow walking for 15-30 minutes/day - breaking it into smaller segments if tired, or simply stretching and bending the arms and legs in bed if weak...

You can visit the Nephrology Clinic at Dong Nai General Hospital for appropriate consultation and treatment.

Greetings, sir!

Dr. Dang Hoang Hai, Specialist Level 1

Department of Hemodialysis and Artificial Kidney, Dong Nai General Hospital