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Gift Suggestions for Dialysis Patients
Have friends or relatives on dialysis? Wondering what to buy for them during special occasions (birthdays, festive celebrations, gatherings, etc.)? Be worry-free! Even though dialysis patients need to control their diet and fluid intake, there are many gifts that are beneficial for them.
A. Food Category
Tips for dialysis patients:
- Know your blood test and choose the right foods.
- Eat in moderation.
1. Fruit Basket
- These provide them with good dietary fibre, along with antioxidants in some of the fruit options.
- Always choose lower potassium fruits and limit higher potassium fruits.
| Lower potassium fruit | Higher potassium fruit |
|---|---|
| Apple, apricot, dragonfruit, figs, kiwi, orange, persimmons, pineapple, plum, watermelon and more. | Banana, durian, guava, honeydew, jackfruit, papaya, peach, pomelo, rockmelon, soursop and many more. |
2. Power snack
- Go for fresh foods! Avoid pre-packaged products as they usually have a higher sodium content.
- For savoury snacks, opt for high protein snacks such as those that contain egg, chicken, fish or
meat such as:- Egg tart, chicken pau, chicken pie, chicken siew mai, chicken bun, tuna bun, chicken wrap, chicken / mutton kebab, chicken / mutton tikka, chicken dumplings, chicken/tuna/egg sandwich, hard boiled egg, satay (without peanut gravy).
- Limit the following savoury snacks which tend to be higher in phosphate, potassium, or salt content:
- Potato chips, food item containing coconut products (e.g. kaya), chocolates, malted drinks, oats or wholegrain products, sardines and nuts.
- For sweet snacks, it is fine for patients to have occasional, portion sized treats, even if they are diabetic, as long as it is not taken on a regular basis. Examples are muffin, steamed cake, chiffon
cake, butter cake, wafer biscuits. - Limit the following sweet snacks which tend to be higher in potassium and phosphate content:
- Food item containing coconut products (e.g. kaya), chocolates, oats or wholegrain products, nuts as well as higher potassium fruits.
Note:
- Homemade muffins/cakes can be healthier by cutting down the sugar and fat content. You can also replace baking powder with cream of Tatar and baking soda.
- Hot food needs to be served hot while cold food needs to be served cold. Ensure there is sufficient storage period if you plan to give frozen food.
- Remind your dialysis friends to take their phosphate binders with their snacks if necessary!
3. Exotic protein booster
Birds nest, sea cucumber and abalone provide a good source of protein and they are low in potassium and phosphate
3. Beverages
- Suggested serving size for beverages to keep at 100-250ml individual pack
- Recommended beverages include:
- Mineral water, unsweetened tea bags, Chinese tea, plain tea, black coffee, reduced sugar/unsweetened drinks (e.g. chrysanthemum tea, green tea) and homemade unsweetened lemonade.
B. Non-Food Category
Kitchen ware
Kitchen ware may be a good helper to encourage dialysis patients to have healthy and nutritious meals at home.
- Electrical steamer pot/cooker
- Insulated lunch box
- Measuring bottle (500ml)
- Non-stick pan
- Storage container
- Slow cooker
- Thermo flask (250ml)
- Toaster
In-Kind Donations
Play a part in helping our dialysis patients by donating items that can spur them on to take charge of their health and to improve their overall well-being
If you, your friends or relatives on dialysis need further information, do approach your doctor, nurse or dietitian.
