Connect
CKD stage 3 diet
Hello! My husband was diagnosed with CKD stage 3 about 6 weeks ago. I have lists of sodium and potassium values for most common foods, also got some renal diet cookbooks from the library, as well as from Amazon, and do a lot of checking out recipes online.
I tried to find a renal dietician, but there isn't one. Physician(s) nor hospital outpatient services have anyone to recommend, either. Of course, once you progress to the dialysis stage, there's a personal dietician available. But not before, at least here.
So: muddling through. Most, if not all recipes I''ve seen are heavy on boiling stuff, especially vegetables. I get that for carrots, beans, etc., but I've yet to find a reason why I shouldn't roast them in the oven, with olive oil, garlic, etc. Does the cooking method really make a difference?
Also: almost every recipe for CKD diet is super low in calories. Great for someone overweight, but with a BMI of 21.6 my husband does not need to lose weight. But instead of bulking up with healthy vegetables I'm stuck with increasing carbs (rice, pasta), since vegetables contain quite a lot of potassium.
Lastly: leaching potassium out of potatoes: online recommendation is small pieces, lots of warm water, rinse and replace frequently, room temperature. Specially bought cook book by renal dietician says cold water, fridge, overnight (which internet says is the least effective method). Any comment? This is for potatoes destined to be roasted, not mashed.
Sorry to carry on, but there's so much conflicting information going on. Perhaps someone who has dealt with this for a while has some hints or advice.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group.
Connect
I just joined. I just found out I have stage 3 ckc at age 67. Not sure if a or b. or of my numbers. My eGFR appears to just be below 60 on a chart . I would just like to say I am totally confused by the inforamtion out there about diets and what to eat and not eat. It is Totally contradictory. It is scary to me-I feel like I can't eat anything. Things that I supposedly can eat are unhealthy like white breads and such.
I have picked up a coupe of good tips in just reading a few of your comments. I am not sure if I need a nephrologist or not? but getting a c Cystatin test sounds like the thing to do and to not be too super scared of eating some healthy things that are still high in phosphates etc. ?
From everything I have read , 50% say to eat certain things and the other 50% say not to eat the same things?? How does a person know what the truth is? I have common knowledge and sense about sodium and postassium and refined foods- but I am not sure about everything. Phosphates seems to be in everything. You can't get in to see a Dr for at least 6 months or a year? I am not too sure what to do?
Find a kidney dietitian. Some insurance will pay. Even if you have to do it on a computer. They can give you a diet just for your numbers.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionthank you !!
LuAnn
I am stage 3b ckd.
Like you, I have done a lot of research.
Regarding sodium, potassium and phosphorus, I believe that small amounts of many vegetables is ok. Look for vegetables that are the lowest in those minerals to incorporate. When I say small, maybe 2 tablespoons.
Regarding carbs, I tend towards couscous, barley, and rice noodles and smaller
amounts of pasta. I buy pasta made in Italy. I’ve read that they use a different strain of wheat and it’s healthier than US wheat and it tastes better!
I know they say no white bread but I buy sourdough and only have half a slice.
My sodium levels are low so I can have more sodium.
I do roast some veggies with olive oil and I don’t think it’s bad for you.
I incorporate a lot of vegetables in my salads. For example: radishes, onions (all types), mushrooms, celery, carrots and spring salad, butter lettuce,& romaine. I may throw in a very small amount of spinach. I know spinach is a no-no but I don’t overthink a very small amount.
I buy as much organic foods as I can. And I wash everything with vinegar or baking soda in a bowl of filtered water.
This is all important for a healthy diet, I think.
If anyone disagrees on what I’ve said, I welcome all input.
And lastly, like your husband, I don’t need to lose weight. I’m 5’4 and weigh 112 with a 4 lb variance.
Best wishes to you both.
Sincerely, Renee
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’m also stage 3b. I don’t understand why you don’t use raw spinach. I usually have a large salad daily with a good amount of raw spinach, kale and many mixed vegetables like cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, celery, a quarter of avocado, mushrooms and anything else I can find that’s fresh. My dressing is quality extra virgin olive oil and a dash of high quality balsamic vinegar. My sodium is low, potassium is fine and so is phosphorus. I have egfr, urine protein etc done quarterly. All numbers are good and egfr has been stable for 2 years. Can you please explain why raw spinach is not good? I think I’m doing fine but I’m always willing to do better if I can. Thank you for your comment!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@bearlady67 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
You're right! It is all confusing! A good renal food plan for one person may not be the right one for someone else. We need to take our own personal health situation into account. For me, I follow a good renal diet, but I also have gout, so there are several things that have been crossed off my "yes" list!
The good basics are to watch your sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and sugar intake. Limit or cut out processed meats like deli meats etc. Limit red meats, which seems to especially tax the kidneys. There are those of us who can completely eliminate a particular food and be successful, but many of us are able to "have just a little bit, once in a while" of something we would normally avoid.
Does this help at all?
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions