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Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat?
It seems there is very little you can eat that is healthy for the Kidneys. The web site Davida has plenty of food on it but contradicts what other sources say. Anyone know anything for breakfast, lunch and dinner that does not have any sugar or flour bodies the obvious boring or bland foods good for Kidneys and I’m allergic to sugar of any kind of sweetener and flour. Thank you.
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@teachaero, both my pcp and neph tell me as we age it's normal for GFR to decrease. IDK how old you are but I'd give the Skrat from Ice Age a delectable acorn if my GFR was 60 instead of 33 at age 74!
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2 ReactionsYes, I believe it is true that kidney function declines with age. So, too, does the work the kidneys need to do. In other words, generally, we are less active and our food intake is often reduced -- both of which impact the kidneys. The trick is for the decline in kidney function not outpace the need :-).
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3 Reactions@teachaero From experience I know that lab values can show "wonky" [My favorite word today!] values at times. What you have been eating or not eating, your hydration levels at time of the test, even the time of day labs are pulled, can affect the results. A good Dr will look at the values over a range of time. And, I second what @maxwell123 and @kamama94 say about kidney function having a natural decrease as we mature into senior years, and a kidney disease will hasten the decrease in function. Have the Dr's given you any indication for the reason for decline?
Ginger
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1 ReactionI’m 47 a month from today, so pretty young I think.
My mom and dad both have had kidney problems and I took some meds for incessant acne over the years that could have contributed to the problem. I’m working hard to change my diet to lower protein while monitoring potassium, phosphorus and sodium. I’m concerned I’m going to be deficient in some nutrients, though, because there isn’t a lot I can find that is “ok” to eat.
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2 ReactionsWhat kidney problems did your parents have and do they know the cause? At age 47 and a 50 to 60 GFR I'm not sure I would hit the panic button yet. You are correct that labs will vary, but if you see a good nephrologist they can run labs in connection with a 24-hour urine test. It tells them much more about the function of your kidneys (both are run in combination). I suspect unless there is a genetic component about the only way a nephrologist will know for sure what is causing the problem is to take a kidney biopsy, which is something to very careful with. If it were me and If you are close to Mayo I would be finding nephrologist there for at least a second opinion. Also, diet is very important. While it may not be for everyone, here is what I did: 1) became a vegan, 2) no processed foods, 3) calorie-restricted diet of about 1000 calories a day 4) take a plant-based protein powder for my protein and be sure not to exceed my daily target amount and 5) walk 3 to 5 miles a day (you are getting the same benefit from spinning). It seems to have worked for my sick kidneys -- which are much worse than yours. My GFR is about 17 up from 13 two years ago (previously spent three years on dialysis). By the way, phosphorous and potassium are not a problem unless they are high on your lab. I'm not sure they cause stress on your kidneys as animal protein does. Finally, if you have labs drawn within a day or so of a heavy workout, that will surely impact your creatinine which is a major component of calculating your GFR. Also, be sure you are hydrated before your labs. By the way, you should sure talk with your doctor before doing any of this. My doc approved all of this for me (although several of the items were my idea).
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4 ReactionsMy mom passed in December from COPD, so for both of my parents, I always thought smoking was part of what caused their kidney problems. Also, my mom had very high BP that was often neglected. So honestly, I’m not completely sure what caused their kidney issues. My dad has one that was dead removed about 15 years ago, but on my ultrasound mine looked fine. Hopefully I’ll know more in a month when I see a nephrologist. I have two appointments set up here in the Chicago area. My goal is to get one at Mayo next summer. I’m a teacher and I’ll be off again. It’s very hard to get appointments, I’m assuming because stage three is still considered “good”. I’m trying to eat more vegan, but I’m having trouble getting enough calories unless I have an English muffin and some peanut butter, which I see is often on the bad food lists. Also, the ranges I’m using for nutrients are guesses from all the various sources. Doc said watch potassium and sodium, but they were normal in my labs. Until I know more I’m a little afraid of protein. Plant based M-F, and I’ve allowed fish on the weekend.
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1 Reaction@teachaero Blood pressure issues and diabetes seem to be the 2 major causes for kidney diseases as far as non-hereditary. My kidney disorder is a very rare autoimmune disease. I think as far as diet, if you make subtle changes not a dramatic change that your body acclimates better. That's just my been my own personal experience. And you will find what works for you. Personally I cannot go vegan I have to have my chicken, turkey and fish. But I rarely eat red meat. Watch banana, tomato, potato consumption. Use salt-free seasonings. You can keep a decline at bay; I have. Since retiring 4 yrs ago due to medical issues, my GFR has only decreased 6 points. Keeping yourself as stress free as possible also helps.
Ginger
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2 ReactionsHigh BP will sure do it. I also agree smoking probably does not help. Regarding visiting an expert at Mayo, I have never been. But, I did make plans to go about a year ago and had to cancel. I found it to be very easy and quick. I am working on that again, but this time with a different purpose. It's good you will be seen in a few weeks. Sometimes kidney issues can move very quickly and most often they are not reversible. So, you do want to have it looked at. Regarding your food list, I'm not sure where you are getting your information. Often times renal diets are for those who are on dialysis and have little to no renal function. That does not apply to those who have renal function and just want to keep it. Regarding calories and nutrition, I use an app called "Lose It." It does an excellent job of tracking your nutrition intake with a very extensive database of foods. It makes it very easy to stay on plan. Peanut butter is very high in protein -- but it is not animal-based. As you probably know, your body needs protein. It is a double-edged sword, though -- you just don't need to exceed your target if you are working on helping your kidneys. As for english muffin, I don't know why that would be on the list you are reading. Maybe sodium. But, if your labs show your sodium to be in range, then I'm not sure I would worry about that. Regarding calories, as I mentioned, I have been on a 1000 calorie a day diet for well over two years. Except for my kidney issues, my labs are perfect. So, I'm not putting myself into malnutrition and I do believe the lightened load has helped my kidneys. I do eat lots of nuts and salads. Good luck.
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3 Reactions@gingerw I do not have kidney problems but this is good info. Immunosuppressants can cause problems so I know I am at risk. MGH keeps a close watch on me to make sure my kidneys (and everything else) is doing well. I actually heard of one transplant center that told their liver transplant patients that there was a high risk that they would eventually require a kidney transplant!
I also am diabetic, and my BP is borderline.
I too could not go vegan. We eat fish twice a week, and chicken or lean ground turkey many nights. I generally will do beef one time a week.
Stress really is bad for your health. My stress generally comes in spurts in response to specific situations.
JK
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