Emergency meal planning for children with kidney disease

Contents:

• Medical Video: Stages of Kidney Disease
  
• What should I expect during an emergency situation?
  
• Do I need to change my diet if I can do peritoneal dialysis (PD)?
  
• Are there other things to know about planning emergency meals?
  

Medical Video: Stages of Kidney Disease

You use this meal plan in an emergency or natural disaster when you might not be able to do dialysis. It is important to follow a limited diet, if you have to skip dialysis.

Shopping lists and three-day meal plans for emergencies are included (there are different versions for people with chronic kidney disease and kidney and diabetes sufferers). This diet is more limited than your normal diet.

This limited plan is needed to control the buildup of potassium, phosphorus, urea and fluids, which can be life threatening if you miss a number of dialysis treatments due to an emergency.

What should I expect during an emergency situation?

Many things that make us dependent every day may not be available during emergency situations. There is no telephone connection. Reduced water and electricity, prevents you from cooking your food in the usual way. You might need to use cold food until the crisis ends. A full refrigerator will hold temperatures for around 48 hours (24 if half full). Limit your time to open it to keep cold temperatures in the refrigerator. Distilled water, disposable plates and cutlery must also be readily available.

Do I need to change my diet if I can do peritoneal dialysis (PD)?

If you are able to keep your level on dialysis using a machine or manual exchange:

1. Maintain protein intake for 6 ounces or more every day.
2. You don't need to change the amount of potassium intake every day.
3. Continue to limit calcium and high phosphorus products and maintain phosphate binding regimens.

If you cannot do as many exchanges as usual, then follow the basic guidelines as stated in these emergency guidelines, including limiting sources of fluids and potassium.

Are there other things to know about planning emergency meals?

1. It is important to follow your diet according to the meal plan given.
2. Be careful when eating foods that can be stale to avoid food poisoning. If the bottle or can has been opened, do not leave it for more than four hours unless it is cooled.
3. Use disposable plates and equipment. Discard after use.
4. Save distilled water (available at your local supermarket) to mix milk or juice. Mix a small amount of only four ounces at a time.
5. Limit fluid intake to two cups or 16 ounces per day. Chew gum to help overcome thirst.
6. Don't use salt or salt substitutes for your food. Use salt-free food, if possible.
7. Avoid high-potassium foods. Limit the type and portion size of fruits and vegetables eaten according to those listed in this book.
8. If you have diabetes, prepare instant glucose tablets, sugar, candy, low potassium fruit juice, to treat low blood sugar. Avoid high potassium fruit juice (orange juice).