Very Low Calorie Diet in Patients Receiving Haemodialysis

Dietitian supervised very low calorie diet (VLCD) administered using meal replacement bars, shakes, soups and desserts (Optifast®, Nestle Health Science). Meal replacement products provided 600-800 calories per day. Patients will be provided with all meal replacements for the duration of the study. In addition to the meal replacement products patients were directed to consume 2 cups of low starch, low potassium vegetables plus 1 tsp oil per day. These were not supplied and patients were required to purchase these themselves. Patients were assessed by renal dietitian weekly for the first four weeks and then fortnightly thereafter. One to one, face to face dietitian consultation and education including details regarding the individualised fluid restriction was performed. Dietitian consults were 30-60 minutes depending on number of questions and difficulties experienced by the patient. Duration of intervention 12 weeks. Adherence monitored via one to one interview and assessment of VLCD utilisation.