| [ Summary ] |
Recently, dietary problems such as Koshoku, which means "a solitary meal, eating alone, and a small appetite" in Japanese, have been reported in schoolchildren in Japan. These problems have also been reported in elderly hemodialysis patients. A solitary meal is prepared to prevent the intake of foods prohibited for patients undergoing hemodialysis. As solutions to this problem, regulating the amount of nutrient and food intakes, and using a simple food list are recommended. These measures would reduce unnecessary food prohibition. Improvements in solitary meals are related to improvements in the habit of eating alone. In order to curb their appetite and maintain their health, patients should be educated on the importance of getting enough energy from staple foods and having a snack between meals. If patients spoil their appetites, a flexible meal plan is recommended to prevent a decrease in their dietary intake of water and nutrients. Moreover, issues on interdialytic weight gain and reducing the burden on the cook have been raised. |