Anyone looking to maintain a healthy renal diet must watch their potassium, sodium, and phosphorus intake. With many foods high in some or all of these minerals, you may feel your only option is to avoid them. This can be hard to do especially if you have to bypass your favorites. By taking the time to demineralize, renal patients can fit many foods back into their diets.

Demineralization, or leaching, is an important tool to help maintain a healthy renal diet. Demineralization is the process of lowering the mineral content in food with water, temperature, and time. Every food reacts differently to demineralization, decreasing each mineral in various amounts.

Learning how to demineralize your favorite food or ingredients may take some research. NxStage Kidney Care is lucky to have renal dietitians at hand who are able to help you learn how to demineralize. They have information on how to demineralize hot dogs, potatoes and even an avocado. It is helpful to know that demineralized foods spoil faster. Make sure any extras are stored properly or frozen to enjoy later.

Check out NxStage Kidney Care Navigator’s section on demineralization to learn. If you want to learn how to leach something not listed on our website please contact us at nxstagekidneycare@gmail.com and we will do our best to help!

*Make sure to ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have on demineralization and check if it’s something you can try.*