The 3-day Emergency Diet

People who rely on in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, or automated peritoneal dialysis may be affected during a widespread emergency. Power may not be available to work the dialysis machines or roads may be closed, blocking access to your dialysis center. Hospitals may be unable to provide dialysis right away and you may not have access to treatment for a couple of days. The 3-day emergency diet will provide you with adequate nutrition in the event of an emergency, as well as limit the amount of fluid and waste your body accumulates until you can get the necessary treatment. Please note: this diet is not a substitute for dialysis or your renal diet; it is only intended to be followed for three days or fewer in an emergency situation.

The following food items will be needed for the 3-day emergency diet and should be stored in your emergency kit:

• 3 packages of dry milk or four 8-ounce cans of evaporated milk
• 1 to 2 gallons of distilled or bottled water
• 2 packages of powdered fruit flavored drink or one large bottle of pre-mixed fruit flavored drink
• 1 to 2 cans or bottles of soft drink (no dark cola due to high phosphorus)
• A six pack of 4-ounce cans or boxes of low potassium fruit juice (apple, grape, etc.)
• 6 boxes of single serving cereal (no raisin bran)
• 1 box of sugar, sugar packets or artificial sweetener
• 12 four-ounce cans of low potassium fruit or fruit bowls (peaches, pineapple, oranges, mixed fruit, applesauce or pears. No raisins.)
• 8 small cans of unsalted tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey
• 1 jar of peanut butter
• 1 small jar of grape jelly
• 1 small jar of honey
• 3 small jars of mayonnaise (you will open a new jar each day) or 8-12 single serving foil wrapped packets
• 1 loaf of white bread (this can be stored in the freezer and replaced every 3 months until needed for emergency)
• 1 box of vanilla wafers or graham crackers
• 4 to 6 bags of hard candy (jelly beans, mints, sourballs, lollipops)
• 1 package of marshmallows

Use any fresh food items you have available for the 3-day emergency diet first, then use what you have stored in your emergency kit. Diabetics should limit their sugar intake and substitute diabetic-friendly items where appropriate. However, diabetics should have some candy available that is not sugar-free in case their blood sugar gets too low.

On the 3-day emergency diet, you will only be allowed 2 cups of fluid each day. This diet is stricter than your renal diet; it has been designed to limit the amount of waste and fluid buildup in your body if you are unable to receive dialysis.

When a widespread emergency or disaster happens, begin your 3-day emergency diet right away. 

Day 1

Breakfast

• ½ cup milk (made from the dry powdered milk) or mix ¼ cup evaporated milk with ¼ cup distilled or bottled water)
• 1 single-serving box of cereal
• 1 tablespoon sugar (if needed)
• ½ cup of drained, canned peaches     

Snack

• 5 vanilla wafers or 1-½ graham cracker squares
• 10 sourballs

Lunch

• 2 slices of bread
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons jelly
• ½ cup drained, canned pears
• ½ cup (4 ounces) powdered or pre-mixed fruit flavored drink

Snack

• 10 marshmallows
• ½ cup applesauce

Dinner

• 2 slices bread
• ½ can (2 ounces) unsalted, canned chicken*
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise*
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice

Snack

• 10 jelly beans
• 5 vanilla wafers or 1-½ graham cracker squares

Day 2

Breakfast

• ½ cup milk (made from the dry powered milk) or mix ¼ cup evaporated milk with ¼ cup distilled or bottled water)
• 1 single-serving box of cereal
• 1 tablespoon sugar (if needed)
• ½ can drained, canned pears

Snack

• 5 unsalted crackers with jelly
• 10 jelly beans

Lunch

• 2 slices of bread
• ¼ cup (1 ounce) unsalted, canned turkey*
• ½ cup drained, canned pineapple
• ½ cup (4 ounces) powdered or pre-mixed fruit flavored drink

Snack

• 10 mints
• ½ cup canned applesauce

Dinner

• 2 slices of bread
• ½ can (2 ounces) unsalted, canned tuna*
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise*
• ½ cup cranberry juice

Snack

• 5 vanilla wafers or 1-½ graham cracker squares
• 10 sourballs

Day 3

Breakfast

• ½ cup milk (made from the dry powdered milk) or mix ¼ cup evaporated milk with ¼ cup distilled water
• 1 single-serving box of cereal
• 1 tablespoon sugar (if needed)
• ½ cup drained canned pears

Snack

• 10 vanilla wafers or 1-½ graham cracker squares
• 10 hard candies

Lunch

• 2 slices of bread
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons jelly or honey
• ½ cup drained canned peaches
• ½ cup (4 ounces) cranberry juice

Snack

• ½ cup applesauce
• 10 jelly beans

Dinner

• 2 slices of bread
• ½ cup (2 ounces) unsalted, canned salmon*
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise*
• 1/2 cup light soda (no dark cola due to high phosphorus)

Snack

• 5 vanilla wafers or 1-½ graham cracker squares
• 10 marshmallows

*PERISHABLE ITEM:  Throw away unused portion if not eaten or refrigerated within four hours.

Ask your renal dietitian if you have questions about the emergency diet. Do not substitute any foods on this diet without talking to your dietitian first.