Confused About Diet for Stage 3 or 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Hello,
I just read your post. I have found great info from the site DaVita. I have printed out a lot of great information re diet and the things that can cause damage to your kidneys and what to careful with. Why not give a try?? It helped me very much in my search for my CKD3 and I am going on 75. My best!
Nancy

Thanks, From one Ginger to another----I agree that "Kidney Hood" seems to come from someone with no formal training---only takeaway being that I think I'm gaining in total recognition of food/diet possibibities from many sources. I'm thinking to spend the time to come up with my personal menu plans from what I like and availabilty of food sourses. I guess my thoughts are that @ 84yrs.--- I need to watch what I eat as close as I can---If my GFR falls to 15 or under, I don't like to think about what my life would change over to------short future?
Thanks again

Thanks, I'm very familiar with DaVita---but I'm learning that they are not patriculary "Right" on all of their info. Very much general in their facts. I was showing a GFR in the low 30's for over 8 yrs.----then about a yr ago dropped to about 20------I'm about 85 now----Think I;ll spend time to devolop a menu and meals to try to keep overal energy Up!----Thanks

Sorry you were not impressed with the site but I found it a good one. Are you saying that your GFR is 85? WOW. What the heck did you do to get it that high, especially from about 20. Let all of us know so we can get our numbers up. Great news for you!!

No!-------------85yrs. old------I'm sure you can't really raise your GFR much over several points--The object is to try to keep It where It is for as long as you can---Diet of foods will really help with that----------Thanks for your input----------

@dogpoundginger [interesting screen name! Mine is the fact I am a redhead, and that really is my name.]

My husband is a kidney transplant recipient in late 2016, was on PD dialysis for 5.5 years prior to that. His diet is pretty much loosy-goosy now if you know what I mean, where he doesn't follow a lot of restrictions. He has the knowledge and experience of having to tweak his foods, and for that I am grateful, as it helps me in an overview of things. Of course, each person is different. I have to be mindful of what to eat not only due to the kidney issues [function of 13% per lab, 15% per my cancer center], but gout issue and blood cancer treatments. It's a balancing act you have to really personalize for your own situation.

I'm glad you are proactive in finding what will work best in your situation. I will be interested to hear what you come up with!
Ginger

What a prifessional error on the oart if you ex doctor. Glad you found out. and glad tou have been ok not knowing for so long.
Yes, count and watch sodium, porassium and phosphorus. Very Important.
Amazon has several excellent books on Stage 3 with eexcellent recipes.

amu45sin here.
You are right. Everything I read contradicts whatever else I read.
Small portions are probably the key.

I've been reading 'Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease" by Dr. Yaw A. Boateng. I'm finding so much hope from this book to help reverse or really slow down my stage 3 CKD. In 2023 my creatinine level was 101 and eGFR 51, my Doctor did mention that it was high but she didn't say anymore about it except to watch it. Today, 2025 my creatinine is 108 and eGFR is 49. I have an appointment to see my doctor about the blood work in Sept. At this point I took it upon myself to do my own research and find out what this blood work meant. I see that I'm at a stage 3 CKD and it freaked me out. That day I started a vegan diet, with no sugar, bread, dairy, eggs, meat, processed foods, just vegetables, legumes, beans, raw nuts and nut butters, fruit, oatmeal, flax seed, hemp seed, quinoa, good oil like avocado and high quality olive oil and pure distilled water. I must say I was depressed for a couple of weeks, and I kept thinking what did I do to get here. I'm fit, workout 3 -5 x's a day, I'm a yoga teacher, I walk 5 K everyday, I get pretty good sleep, I don't have a lot of stress in my life because I'm retired, I don't overdue pain meds, only when necessary. I have however been eating lots of animal products, thinking it was good for me because I'm 65 and want to keep my muscle mass up. I'm at ideal weight, I do however love salt and do add salt to my food, I don't always drink the amount of water needed. I drink Alcohol occasionally, I don't smoke. My blood pressure is normal, I don't have diabetes, CKD doesn't run in my family. So what gives????? So, I have taken some of the recommendations from this book, changed my diet drastically, upped my water. By the time I see my doctor, It will be 2 months since I have made this lifestyle change, I have lost 8 pounds and I'm curious to see what my bloodwork comes back as and if it made a difference. What I wished would of happened is that my doctor could of told me of how dangerous CDK is and that she would of recommend I see a dietician or get more educated on kidney health, my doctor failed me and it's so very sad as it could of been prevented. I'll keep you all updated as to my findings.

Your story is similar to mine. When I was told several years ago that I had CKD stage 3, I got worried. Don't be! Stage 3 a and 3 b are not serious! Changes in your diet are excellent. My creatinine is 1.36 and my eGRF is 54. It has been explained by several nephrologists I have visited with that the creatinine level can be elevated by muscle mass. I work out several times a week by swimming and weight lifting. Also, eGFR fluctuates. Mine has been between 47 and 54. At 76, I can expect some age impact. My plan is to continue my exercise and majority green food. Just be mindful.