Renal Food Diary – Providing information on your usual diet for your nutritional care

Patient Experience

  • Reference Number: HEY1440-2024
  • Departments:
  • Last Updated: 1 February 2024
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Introduction

You have been asked to fill in a food diary by your renal dietitian, to help assess the nutritional content of your diet and your fluid intake.

HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR 3 DAY FOOD DIARY

  • Please write down everything you have to eat and drink over 3 days. Choose 2 weekdays, between Monday to Friday (include 1 dialysis day if you are on haemodialysis) and a weekend day, Saturday OR Sunday.
  • Record all food, drinks and snacks taken throughout the day, rather than waiting until the end of the day.
  • Fill in as much detail as you possibly can e.g. brand names, cooking methods.  If an item contains a combination of foods, break it down (see example food diary).
  • Remember to record the amount or quantity of foods and drinks, use weights or household measures where possible.
  • Put any additional comments on the blank pages at the back of this booklet.
  • Once your food diary is completed please return it to your dietitian at the following address, or give to one of the nursing staff to return it for you.  You can also return it using the message service on Patients Know Best.

Renal Dietitians, 2nd Floor, Alderson House, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, HULL HU3 2JZ

The following guide shows you how to complete a day’s intake for your food diary.  Remember to only include the amount actually eaten, especially if you do not finish a meal e.g. half a slice of toast.

Name of Food/Drink Description/Preparation Amount
Name of food or drink, eg chicken, apple, cheese chocolate, biscuit, tea and squash Brand names e.g. Kellogs, Hovis and Heinz

Type – e.g. full fat milk, semi-skimmed and soya/oat milk

Low fat or full fat spread or butter

Full sugar, no added sugar

Cooking methods, ie. baked, fried, air-fried, grilled, boiled, steamed or toasted

Any added salt, sugar, butter and oil

 Household measures, weights or use reference objects

e.g. teacup, tablespoon, teaspoon, grams or ounces, palm size or handful

Amount eaten – ate all / ate half

You will be given a food diary sheet to fill in