For African Americans kidney disease is the sixth leading cause of death (National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2013). Compliance with a renal diet can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance or non-compliance with renal dietary restrictions among older African American adults living in a nursing home setting. Twelve residents were interviewed. Six themes emerged including not appreciating being treated like a child, wanting options and independence, wanting the renal diet to respect cultural food traditions, the importance of food taste, more education about why certain foods are better than others, and re-framing diet education to emphasize the foods that can be eaten versus foods to avoid.

This research indicates a need for dietitians to discuss diet with an emphasis on what foods the patient can eat, not on restrictions, and to improve the taste of food.