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Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat?

Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Aug 26 12:20pm | Replies (800)

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@kamama94

Both neph and primary are pleased and say they expect further improvement.
When I first noticed my GFR was dropping several years ago I knew to lower K, P and Na.
After the dramatic drop last Feb post-flu in Dec-Jan and before I even consulted with the neph or a dietitian, I started a renal diet similar to that of my former CKD patients.
Then in May my neph suggested that a vegetarian diet MIGHT help. It was an easy transition since I already was limiting meat. We all believe it's at least partly responsible for improved renal function since a renal vegetarian diet doesn't stress the kidneys as much as a regular diet does.
Dietitian consult helped some but you'd be surprised how many professionals understand a vegetarian diet and know about a renal diet but not both combined into one. Vegetarian diets rely heavily on legumes, for instance, and tomatoes - no-nos for a low K & low P diet.
So I've spent a great deal of time reading labels, contacting food manufacturers to learn mineral content of their products (phosphorus is not required to be listed,) and going online to various websites to find nutrient values. I wish I could post links as two in particular are approved by my neph but as a new member I'm not allowed to post URLs.
BTW, I have only one functioning kidney, the left one stopped working years ago and finally atrophied but no one knew because I was asymptomatic, therefore no reason to suspect a problem requiring imaging. Last May neph, primary and I were all three surprised to see a tiny bean that used to be a kidney.

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Replies to "Both neph and primary are pleased and say they expect further improvement. When I first noticed..."

Hi. I originally got on this site for my diverticulitis, and needing surgery for microperforation. I only have 1 kidney, which was my major concern. Had been doing ok, then a drop in GFR to 38, with elev Bun&Creatinin. Stage 3 B. Diet good for diverticulitis not so good for kidney. Glad to read I'm not alone. Don't know what to do now. What to try to fix first?
I'm a 61 year old nurse and feel like I should know the answers but I think I'm still in shock mode. Great diet suggestions.

kamama94 ~
As a newly diagnosed Stage 3 CKD patient (eGFR 54 in August 2022) and a new member here, I find your story fascinating and informative. Thank you for sharing it. I've visited a dietician once within the past two years but left with more questions unanswered than answered. I appreciate the research you've done into foods (good & not-so-good) for CKD and also look forward to when you are allowed to link URLs for us to check into. Just lately, I've veered more into the vegetarian side of things (more for improving problems with IBS/Constipation than because of CKD). I am very motivated to eat as healthy as possible for my condition. I look forward to your sharing more of your journey with your veggie diet.