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

Posted by wietop @wietop, Dec 13, 2017

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 CKD four years ago, but my doctor didn't tell me. When he retired and I had to find a new doctor is when I found out. I'm new to this and completely confused when it comes to diet. I am currently eating a sandwich for lunch, made with Ezekiel Low-Sodium bread, which is sprouted whole grain bread. In my research I have found some sites that say never eat whole grain bread, while others say you can eat it with no problem. My doctor has told me I don't need to change my diet, but, as you can imagine, my trust factor is pretty low right now. I'm trying to find some solid information about which breads I should avoid and which ones are okay.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

@kamama94

Hi, sissieann. The info on the site you mentioned I also have found not to be accurate. There are two very good websites I do trust, though. One is Self which lists the nutrients in a lot of foods, including potassium, sodium and phosphorus on their nutrition data page and another is my food data (no spaces) with a search tool. As a new member I'm not supposed to post links or URLs but Rosemarya might be able to post them again if you don't find them in this thread.

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Tkx...I’ll check ‘em out! #Confused....lol

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Hi @sissieann and @kamama94, I merged the discussion that you were having about stage 4 CKD diet into this existing discussion about CKD and diet for both stage 3 and 4.(The order of the posts got jumbled a bit. Sorry.)

Sissie, if you click VIEW & REPLY you'll see a lot of posts by Kamama, @rosemarya @wietop @trishanna @predictable and others as they share useful information.

Here are direct links to the websites that Kamama was wanting to share.
* Self Nutrition Data https://nutritiondata.self.com/ The website's goal is to provide the most accurate and comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all.

* My Food Data https://tools.myfooddata.com/ Helps you understand and organize the foods you eat. Nutrition information on this website is sourced from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service Nutrition Data Release 28.

@kamama94, can you share why you like these 2 websites and how you use them?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @sissieann and @kamama94, I merged the discussion that you were having about stage 4 CKD diet into this existing discussion about CKD and diet for both stage 3 and 4.(The order of the posts got jumbled a bit. Sorry.)

Sissie, if you click VIEW & REPLY you'll see a lot of posts by Kamama, @rosemarya @wietop @trishanna @predictable and others as they share useful information.

Here are direct links to the websites that Kamama was wanting to share.
* Self Nutrition Data https://nutritiondata.self.com/ The website's goal is to provide the most accurate and comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all.

* My Food Data https://tools.myfooddata.com/ Helps you understand and organize the foods you eat. Nutrition information on this website is sourced from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service Nutrition Data Release 28.

@kamama94, can you share why you like these 2 websites and how you use them?

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Thank you...thank you!!! Question, “chicken flavor protein sticks”??? For some reason, protein scares me (now)....recipe sounds pretty good! I love pasta so, I’ll check it out!

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@colleenyoung

Hi @sissieann and @kamama94, I merged the discussion that you were having about stage 4 CKD diet into this existing discussion about CKD and diet for both stage 3 and 4.(The order of the posts got jumbled a bit. Sorry.)

Sissie, if you click VIEW & REPLY you'll see a lot of posts by Kamama, @rosemarya @wietop @trishanna @predictable and others as they share useful information.

Here are direct links to the websites that Kamama was wanting to share.
* Self Nutrition Data https://nutritiondata.self.com/ The website's goal is to provide the most accurate and comprehensive nutrition analysis available, and to make it accessible and understandable to all.

* My Food Data https://tools.myfooddata.com/ Helps you understand and organize the foods you eat. Nutrition information on this website is sourced from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service Nutrition Data Release 28.

@kamama94, can you share why you like these 2 websites and how you use them?

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Both sites list many, many foods, including some name brands, and give sodium content, potassium, phosphorus, and other minerals as well as calories, protein, fiber, etc. One of the sites lists low potassium foods and low phosphorus foods. I asked my nephrologist if I could trust the information and she said yes. This information has been invaluable to me since it has helped me learn which foods are kidney friendly and allowed me to calculate amounts and percentages of entire meals in terms of sodium, phosphorus and potassium especially, which CKD people want to limit. Occasionally there is a milligram of difference in a value between the two sites but all in all they complement each other. The search tools are great, you can look up so many things and doing so has helped me create some fairly tasty and satisfying recipes.

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@sissieann

Thank you...thank you!!! Question, “chicken flavor protein sticks”??? For some reason, protein scares me (now)....recipe sounds pretty good! I love pasta so, I’ll check it out!

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Morning Star Farms and Gardein make "chicken"-flavored strips, patties, and nuggets as well as "beef" and "pork" flavored shreds and patties. Some I use, some I do not because they have too much sodium and/or protein and I usually prepare less than the standard serving. Right now I don't have to limit protein but as an almost vegan (the only animal product I use is egg white) several combinations of vegetables=a complete protein indistinguishable from meat protein even on a molecular level.
Also, Daiya and Go Veggie "cheese" flavored products are a good choice for me, approved by my nephrologist as long as I am in stage 3.
I'll post more recipes later.

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@rosemarya

@wietop Good Morning and welcome to Mayo clinic Connect. I am a volunteer mentor here on Connect I want to share with you what Mayo Clinic has to say about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

I had acute kidney failure that was related to liver failure, and was immediately placed on dialysis and a restricted diet that was monitored by a nutritionist. So, I'm afraid that I don't have any experience about your particular dietary question.

While we wait for someone else to add their input, would you mind telling us a little more about yourself? Are you being monitored for your CKD? Have you been seen by a nephrologist? Have you asked to be referred to a nutritionist?

Rosemary

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If you’re asking me...moved to PNW from Arkansas in ‘79 with husband and daughter. Retired in ‘09....from managing hospital gift shop and Starbucks. I started seeing a nephrologist a couple of years ago. He was concerned but didn’t suggest any changes....then early this year I hit stage 4 and here I am...My diet has been horrible for several years....I just got sick of cooking so was living off fast food...junk. Every now and then I’d cook a roast with carrrots and potatoes to make myself feel better....I miss that roast with carrots and potatoes but...that’s life now! lol Heading to Savannah for Thanksgiving with family! I’m thinking.....how will I manage my food on the road! I want to be kind to my kidneys so.... I’ll keep reading and taking notes! Thanks for letting me join....it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

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@sissieann

If you’re asking me...moved to PNW from Arkansas in ‘79 with husband and daughter. Retired in ‘09....from managing hospital gift shop and Starbucks. I started seeing a nephrologist a couple of years ago. He was concerned but didn’t suggest any changes....then early this year I hit stage 4 and here I am...My diet has been horrible for several years....I just got sick of cooking so was living off fast food...junk. Every now and then I’d cook a roast with carrrots and potatoes to make myself feel better....I miss that roast with carrots and potatoes but...that’s life now! lol Heading to Savannah for Thanksgiving with family! I’m thinking.....how will I manage my food on the road! I want to be kind to my kidneys so.... I’ll keep reading and taking notes! Thanks for letting me join....it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

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Ah, we're off to Chicago for Thanksgiving and the only food anyone eats there is pizza. How to manage food when one is eating every meal out is my question. I find this discussion extremely interesting but do not understand why my nephrologist seemed totally disinterested in discussing food. Shall take all your comments with me when I check in with a dietitian.

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Hi, all. Good Morning. You have me thinking and searching👀 on this Monday morning.
I want to add to thyis conversation by sharing what I have found!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

How kidneys work
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/multimedia/how-kidneys-work-video/vid-20207497

Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease? Includes a table of high and low phosphorus foods.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/food-and-nutrition/faq-20058408

Effectively managing chronic kidney disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/multimedia/vid-20209090

Renal diet for vegetarians
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/renal-diet/faq-20058205

I am anxious to hear what you read that will be useful to your own situation. Remember that we are all individuals and our needs are different (as is mentioned in several of these resources).
I hope we can all learn as we learn and share ways to eat healthy and to take care of our kidneys.

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@sissieann

If you’re asking me...moved to PNW from Arkansas in ‘79 with husband and daughter. Retired in ‘09....from managing hospital gift shop and Starbucks. I started seeing a nephrologist a couple of years ago. He was concerned but didn’t suggest any changes....then early this year I hit stage 4 and here I am...My diet has been horrible for several years....I just got sick of cooking so was living off fast food...junk. Every now and then I’d cook a roast with carrrots and potatoes to make myself feel better....I miss that roast with carrots and potatoes but...that’s life now! lol Heading to Savannah for Thanksgiving with family! I’m thinking.....how will I manage my food on the road! I want to be kind to my kidneys so.... I’ll keep reading and taking notes! Thanks for letting me join....it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

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trishanna, I want to suggest that you take a look at this link. There is a easy-to- read chart that you could copy and take with you for easy reference.
Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease? Includes a table of high and low phosphorus foods.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/food-and-nutrition/faq-20058408
What do you think?

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@rosemarya

Hi, all. Good Morning. You have me thinking and searching👀 on this Monday morning.
I want to add to thyis conversation by sharing what I have found!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

How kidneys work
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/multimedia/how-kidneys-work-video/vid-20207497

Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease? Includes a table of high and low phosphorus foods.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/food-and-nutrition/faq-20058408

Effectively managing chronic kidney disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/multimedia/vid-20209090

Renal diet for vegetarians
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/renal-diet/faq-20058205

I am anxious to hear what you read that will be useful to your own situation. Remember that we are all individuals and our needs are different (as is mentioned in several of these resources).
I hope we can all learn as we learn and share ways to eat healthy and to take care of our kidneys.

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Thanks, Rosemary! Will check these out ASAP

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