Choosing meals when eating out

It is important to enjoy eating out with family and friends. However, many dialysis patients find this a difficult task.

Here are some suggestions to make it easier for you:

• Choose an entrée size meal.

• Ask the restaurant if they can prepare a special order for you for medical reasons.

• Choose a large portion of vegetables or salad and a smaller portion of the meat component. Don’t forget to take your phosphate binder with this meal.

• Ask the restaurant if they can swap out part of a dish. For example, switch out soup/chips for salad instead.

• Always ask for a green salad with lettuce and fresh vegetables. Potato salad, Greek salad and Caesar salad are all high in fat and phosphate.

• If you are eating at a friend’s home, call ahead to let them know about your dietary requirements.