Kidney Disease: Understanding Fluids
Healthy kidneys balance the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the body. If your kidneys cannot maintain this fluid balance, you may need to limit your fluid intake. Always consult with your doctor and ask how many ounces of fluid you can have every 24 hours. The information below can be of help.
Make it a habit to measure fluids or check fluid content before you drink or eat.
Fluids are foods that are liquid at room temperature. All of the foods listed below count toward your fluid intake:
Water for drinking and taking medications
Ice cubes and ice chips
Coffee and tea
Sodas
Milk, cream, and liquid creamer
Juices, both fruit and vegetable
Soups
Popsicles
Ice cream, sherbets, and sorbets
Gelatin
Figuring Fluid Amounts
Fluids can be measured in different ways. The chart below can help you convert among units of measure. For ease of use, some numbers have been rounded off.
1 liter | 4.2 cups | 34 ounces | 1,000 ml |
1 quart | 4 cups | 32 ounces | 1,000 ml |
1 pint | 2 cups | 16 ounces | 500 ml |
1/2 pint | 1 cup | 8 ounces | 250 ml |
| 1/2 cup | 4 ounces | 120 ml |
| 1/3 cup | 3 ounces | 80 ml |
| 1/4 cup | 2 ounces | 60 ml |
2 tbsp | 1/8 cup | 1 ounce | 30 ml |