Diet and Safety Tips from DaVita Dietitians

Regional or worldwide emergencies can disrupt everyday life and present unique challenges to health, transportation, and/or access to food and medications. As the situation rapidly evolves around COVID-19, it is normal to feel concerned and uncertain.

Our dialysis centers remain open, with DaVita care team members taking all necessary precautions to keep patients safe and feeling cared about while in our centers.
What can you do ensure your well-being? There are actions you can take outside of dialysis. Let’s walk through a few diet-related ones, such as ensuring that you have an adequate supply of food and medications, and following your usual kidney diet.

If you cannot get the foods you usually eat, your dietitian can help with ideas and recipes for using the foods that are available.

To provide more guidance during this type of emergency, DaVita dietitians have developed some tips you may find helpful.

Diet and safety tips:

• If possible, keep a two-week supply of kidney-friendly, shelf-stable foods on hand.
• Your dialysis dietitian can provide you with a handout of pantry and kidney-friendly foods.
• Talk with your dietitian about the foods you have at home to eat, and food preparation tips to help keep you as healthy as possible.
• Consider asking a friend or care partner to grocery shop for you.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Check your regular prescription drugs to make sure you have an adequate supply.
• Have non-prescription drugs and other health supplies at home, including pain relievers, first-aid kits and cough/cold medicine.
• Keep all emergency contact phone numbers up-to-date and easy to find, including the number of your dialysis facility and care team members.
• Talk to your dialysis unit and your family members about what to do if your loved ones get sick.
• Have medical histories available for you and for all family members in case of emergency situations.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, sanitize surfaces often, maintain social distance of at least 6 feet, and avoid mass gatherings.

Talk to your care team if you have difficulty obtaining food. They’re there to help, listen and support you.

For more information, read about kidney-friendly foods for emergency preparedness and pantry tips.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.