Nutritional "traps" for Tet
To help patients celebrate Tet safely, Dr. Nghiem Trung Dung - Director of the Center for Nephrology, Urology and Blood Purification (Bach Mai Hospital) has issued many important recommendations to limit complications during holidays.
According to Dr. Nghiem Trung Dung, many familiar Tet dishes can become a risk if kidney patients do not control their diet well.
Banh chung and banh tet are rich in energy and fat, not beneficial for people with chronic kidney failure, especially when accompanied by high blood pressure, dyslipidemia or diabetes.
Sour dishes such as pickled onions and pickled scallions contain very high levels of salt, easily causing water retention, high blood pressure and edema.
Processed food groups such as spring rolls, sausages, canned meat are high in salt, preservatives and protein. People with kidney failure should only eat in moderation (about 100-150g/day, even less if they have not had blood filtration).
Some potassium-rich fruits such as bananas, oranges, grapes, and grapefruits need to be strictly controlled. Hyperkalemia can cause arrhythmia and be life-threatening.
In particular, people with kidney disease should absolutely avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, especially when there is high blood pressure, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents and strokes.
Individualizing diet by disease group
Experts emphasize that nutrition needs to be adjusted separately for each patient.
Chronic glomerulonephritis with kidney deficiency syndrome: Eat completely bland food when there is still edema; when edema is gone, maintain about 2g of salt/day. Prioritize vegetable oil (20-25g/day) and protein from lean meat, fish, milk at 1.5-2g/kg/day.
Chronic kidney failure without hemodialysis: Strictly reduce protein to about 0.6g/kg/day; increase energy from starch (sugar, honey, potatoes, vermicelli, tapioca starch). Vegetables and fruits prioritize low-protein, low-potassium types such as gourds, pumpkins, loofah, cucumbers, watermelons.
Patients with periodic dialysis: Control drinking water so that the weight does not increase by more than 2kg between two dialysis sessions; eat near-normal animal protein but limit foods rich in phosphorus such as egg yolks, cheese, milk.
The "3 right" principle in Tet activities
Take medicine on time, at the right dose - do not arbitrarily quit taking medicine even when busy.
Exercise properly - prioritize walking, gentle yoga; avoid exertion.
Keep warm properly - avoid taking cold showers, drinking ice water, and prevent catching a cold.
Patients should bring enough medicine and prescriptions when traveling far; dress warmly; avoid taking cold showers.
When eating out, prioritize boiled and steamed dishes; request to reduce salt; limit salty foods, dry foods, ô mai, sausages. Drink moderate water, as directed by your doctor.
If you experience severe fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling in your legs, you need to stop activities and go to the nearest medical facility.
According to the Center for Nephrology, Urology and Blood Purification (Bach Mai Hospital), the blood filtration unit is only closed on the 1st day of Tet, other days are operating normally. Patients should proactively schedule re-examinations before or immediately after Tet.
Patients need to go to the hospital immediately when they have dangerous signs such as: little urination, rapid edema; high blood pressure difficult to control; heavy fatigue, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, arrhythmia; fever or bloody urine.
