What's to Eat?

carow
0 Recommendations

I have recently been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. I am wondering how others handle the rather drastic dietary changes.

I am a Midwesterner, raised on meat, potatoes and gravy. Of course, over the last 20 years or so I have changed to whole grains, leafy green vegetables and generally a more healthy diet. Now I have been told to avoid a lot of what I thought of as healthy foods.

My biggest challenge is lunch--I used to have yogurt or grilled cheese, or canned soup--but the other meals are a bit of a challenge also.

What is everyone else doing?

7 replies

valerieann

I'm confused too. My protein has been restricted to
4oz's per day. I also, was raised on meat and potatoes. I am meeting with a dietician next week to get specifics. Protein is in alot of vegetables, flour etc. Very challenging.

As a result of CKD, I was also, diagnosed with osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. The blood pressure is now under control. I guess, with CKD, you can have a vitamin D deficency, so, I take a vitamin D prescription.

carow

Thanks for answering. I also am meeting with a dietician this week and am anxious to hear what she has to say. I was really surprised to find out how many items other than meat are loaded with protein--all dairy products, eggs, yogurt and such. I have also been limited on potassium--potatoes, dark green veggies, whole grains, nuts--all things I had been adding to my diet (before CKD) because I thought they were healthy!

Let me know what you find out.
Carolyn

Queenie

I would love to know of any helpful hints you found. I not only have to watch out for sodium for the CKD, but also Vitamin K because I am on Cumadin and I now find out that the Prednisone is making my blood sugar levels high. So, I have to start waching the carbs and sugars too. That sure doesn't seem to leave me much in the way of options.
I sure hope you have better luck.

carow

Once again, my dietician has emphasized cutting back on protein and potassium. She has reduced my calcium supplement also. Basically, she would prefer that I be on a plant-based diet. I will try to follow her suggestions of one red meat portion per week as well as cutting back on other meat and dairy, but I do not expect to go completely vegetarian.

Increasing fruits and vegetables while cutting back on potassium is a challenge for sure. And in your case, having to cut back on carbs and sugar presents even more of a challenge.

Good luck to all of us!!

ddarling

I'm a 44 yr old female. I was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease 2 months ago. I have been on an emotional roller coaster ever since. I agree...the diet change is very hard and it's confusing and frustrating. Sometimes I'd rather not eat at all but I know we can't do that. I have to watch my protein, sodium, phosphorus and potassium intake. Just about all of the foods I love are now on my "avoid or limit" list. Even all the healthy foods I love to eat!! I know the National Kidney Foundation website and also Davita.com have recipes on their sites.

carow

It seems like every bite I put in my mouth is questionable. I keep reading labels, and almost everything seems to be, as you say, on the avoid or limit list. I have some of the recipes from Davita and they seem to contain lots of these items, so I guess it is okay to eat some of them, but just smaller portions.

I wish someone would come up with a list of specifics that we can eat, including brand names such as for cereals. It is a challenge for sure.

I must admit, I am not as conscientious as I probably should be, but I am trying.

Good luck and good health, and please keep in touch.
Carolyn

2plus1not3

It surely is more difficult now adays, as everything in the stores is proteing enriched to help all the Atkins people. There are renal cookbooks out there that can help. I find for things like lunch it is easy to make "kidney club" sndwiches, by using 3 pieces of bread instead of 2 you need to use less sandwich filling but it still is not completely borrowing. If you want the crunch of vegetables without ruining the diet try replacing it with cucumbers or roasted celery root, I will see if I can find the cookbooks and will post the recommendation later.

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