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

Hi I’m new to this forum. I was. Diagnosed with stage three kidney disease about four months ago. Just having a hard time planning my meals each day. I’m a healthy eater anyway but a renal diet is so much more strict. I just don’t know what to eat I’ve gone down to 110 pounds

@ms9246 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members, and caregivers, who share our journeys with each other, answering questions but not diagnosing medical conditions.

Do you know the cause of your kidney disease? High blood pressure issues and diabetes can be the top reasons, but others may apply.

Diet is very helpful to maintain your kidney function. Watch your sodium, sugars, potassium, and phosphorous. Keep hydrated well, and rested, reduce your stress.

Here are some kidney friendly recipes from Renal Support Network, a non-profit headed by a four-time kidney recipient: https://www.rsnhope.org/renal-recipes-kidney-friendly/ Also, from the American Kidney Foundation, comes a whole bunch of mouth-watering recipes: https://kitchen.kidneyfund.org/

Being at Stage 4, I can completely relate! I hope you will return and tell about the favorites you find in those websites. Will you do that?
Ginger

Hi George! Thank you so much for replying. What is so interesting is that I don’t have high blood pressure, I’m not a diabetic, I don’t have high cholesterol, I don’t have anything other than passing one kidney stone in my life to have this problem. I do have an underactive thyroid. I’ve always been a healthy eater because i jogged seven days a week was in races and did all the right things. Four months ago my kidney Function was down to 41. Now I have it up to 51 and still struggling. My PCP said sometimes when you get a certain age things like this happen! This is where I am since yesterday after a visit to him. I’m down to 110 pounds because I’m not sure of what I’m supposed to eat so I’m eating very little I’m losing my muscle mass and that is driving me crazy.

Hi George I pulled it up I have not read the documents yet but I can see some things that I know will help me after I read the entire brochure. Yes if I find something that’s great I will pass it onto you and thank you so much for being so sweet and sending me this. Have a sweet day

Everything you said is true. My problem is l have not been able to get my Dr. to even tell me anything about having CKD stage 3a. Over 10 years ago my doctor then said l had CKD 1. And told my sister and I there was nothing wrong with my kidneys after saying l have CKD stage 2. I then changed my doctor. After a year with that doctor he told me l had CKD stage 3a. I am 68 years old , l understand your kidneys slow down. But why all the lies. Is it not nothing to care about? My Daddy past 7 years ago from CKD.
From. Willing

Hi I’m new to this forum. I was. Diagnosed with stage three kidney disease about four months ago. Just having a hard time planning my meals each day. I’m a healthy eater anyway but a renal diet is so much more strict. I just don’t know what to eat I’ve gone down to 110 pounds

Hi George! Thank you so much for replying. What is so interesting is that I don’t have high blood pressure, I’m not a diabetic, I don’t have high cholesterol, I don’t have anything other than passing one kidney stone in my life to have this problem. I do have an underactive thyroid. I’ve always been a healthy eater because i jogged seven days a week was in races and did all the right things. Four months ago my kidney Function was down to 41. Now I have it up to 51 and still struggling. My PCP said sometimes when you get a certain age things like this happen! This is where I am since yesterday after a visit to him. I’m down to 110 pounds because I’m not sure of what I’m supposed to eat so I’m eating very little I’m losing my muscle mass and that is driving me crazy.

@carnes
I found a "Diabetes meal plan recipes" in Mayo's Patient Care and Health Information Section. You can find a list of some Healthy Recipes that might give you some ideas. I hope you will find something that will satisfy your tastes as well as your dietary needs.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/diabetes-meal-plan-recipes/rcs-20077150
I am not on a diabetic diet. However, I am always interested in something to perk up my meals. So, I want to ask you to share a new recipe that you discover. OK?

Just got lab results. GFR slightly up from 35 at 37, BUN down from 40 to 37, Cr down from 1.47 to 1.41. Potassium is normal at 4.5 (was 4.8) Values indicate mild improvement in kidney function. I'm wondering how much my vegetarian renal diet has to do with the slowly improving values. Any feedback will be appreciated.

It's recommended by most renal specialists for a stage 3 CKD patient to limit Na to no more than 3000 mg daily, K no more than 2000 mg, and P no more than 1000.