Malnutrition in dialysis patients may assume the form of
under- or over-nutrition. Under-nutrition results from a
decreased energy or protein intake as compared to actual
needs. However, the most common cause of under-nutrition in
dialysis patients is the prescription of an overly restrictive
dietary regimen, a practice that is unfortunately common
among physicians (Locatelli et al. 2002). Prohibition of various
foods are often unwarranted, leading to dietary monotony and
may worsen the patient’s nutritional status (EDTNA/ERCA
2002). The dietary prescription, made by a dietician specialised
in renal disease (Wiggins & Harvey 2002) should always con-
sider the preferences, needs and abilities of the patient (Gray &
Gray 2002).