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

From DaVita for Stage 3:
1. Count your calories.

Adequate calories can either prevent weight loss if you’re at a desirable weight or provide extra calories if you are underweight. Weigh yourself often and keep track to see if you need additional or fewer calories. Your dietitian will determine a desirable weight and monitor your progress.

2. Eat the right kinds of fats.

If you have cardiovascular disease or your blood cholesterol is high, unhealthy fats—such as saturated fats and trans-fats—should be replaced by poly- and monounsaturated fats from vegetable oil, canola oil and olive oil. A limit on high cholesterol foods is recommended.

3. Watch for symptoms of fluid retention.

Fluid is not restricted in stage 3 CKD unless you experience fluid retention. Sudden weight gain, shortness of breath, swelling in the feet, hands and face and high blood pressure are signs of fluid retention. These symptoms may indicate a decline in kidney function and decreased urine output.

4. Reduce your phosphorus intake.

A diet with no more than 800 mg of phosphorus can help reduce the risk of too much phosphorus building up in your blood. Limit intake of foods with high levels of phosphate or phosphate additives such as organ meats, whole grain breads, processed foods, cola beverages, cheese, dried beans, liver, peanut butter, dairy products and chocolate.

5. Monitor your potassium levels.

Usually, potassium is not restricted in stage 3 CKD unless lab tests show potassium is too high. Your doctor may make medication changes or prescribe a low-potassium diet. Reduce an elevated potassium level by limiting some high-potassium foods and potassium chloride (found in salt substitute and many low-sodium processed foods), such as avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, legumes, milk, nuts, potatoes, seeds, tomato products and yogurt.

6. Know your recommended daily intake of protein.

The recommendation for protein intake in stage 3 is 0.8 g/kg body weight, the same recommendation for a healthy 150-pound adult. Whether your doctor recommends a high- or low- protein diet, it’s important to make sure your protein intake comes from high-quality sources such as egg whites, fish, poultry, meat, soy and small of amounts of dairy.

People on vegetarian and vegan diets may find it easier than meat eaters to limit protein in their diet, but will need to monitor their phosphorus and potassium intakes more closely.

7. Decrease your sodium intake.

Limiting salt and high-sodium foods reduces hypertension, assists blood pressure medications to work more effectively and treats fluid retention. The sodium recommendation for stage 3 CKD is 1,000 to 4,000 mg/day. Speak with your doctor or dietitian to determine your recommended daily amount.

I would like to add that portion control is critical. An inexpensive digital scale works wonders. Also, many carbonated beverages have high amounts of phosphates and should be avoided or greatly reduced.

I would like to add that portion control is critical. An inexpensive digital scale works wonders. Also, many carbonated beverages have high amounts of phosphates and should be avoided or greatly reduced.

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.

Newcomers, please note the post about eGFR up to 37 is 3 years old. SInce it was written I contracted shingles and a yeast infection so kidney function declined rapidly to Stage 5 or end stage with an eGFR below 10 and I had to have an urgently placed access for immediate dialysis. However, after 2 failed surgeries for left arm vascular access and six months of dialysis (via a surgically placed permacath usually used only 90 days,) renal function began to improve very slowly. I believe the improvement also was due to the rest period dialysis gave my partial kidney but I also believe following my kidney diet plus excellent medical management by my care providers had a lot to do with the fact that my partial remaining kidney regained enough function for me to stop dialysis at least for now and not need - YET! - the AV graft successfully placed in my upper arm. SInce then my kidney function has slowly increased to 20. What a journey! Again, I credit great care providers plus a kidney friendly vegetarian (vegan except for eggs) diet for the fact that I'm still here.

Even fruit sugar?