Did you know that there are currently 177 people in need of a kidney transplant in Wales whose diet will be restricted due to kidney disease? It is likely that they will be on fluid restrictions of around just 500ml of liquid a day (including liquid found in foods like sauces and ice cream). That’s roughly the equivalent of only being able to have a small cup of tea and one can of soft drink for the whole day.

In addition, they are likely to have to limit the potassium and phosphate in their diet which means missing out on enjoying foods like chocolate, bananas and tomatoes. Sadly a lot of the advice given to patients focuses on the foods to avoid but we want to make the kidney diet about all the things kidney patients can eat and to bring enjoyment back into food which is why we’ve launched the Kidney Kitchen.

Research shows that only 55 per cent of the general public in the Wales are aware that kidney disease can restrict your diet, and just 42 per cent are aware that having kidney disease can restrict the amount of liquid you can consume every day. If you are, or if you know a kidney patient, make sure you check out www.kidneykitchen.org

Francesca Teasdale (Kidney Care UK)