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

Posted by carnes @carnes, Jun 11, 2018

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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miker8888 | @miker8888 | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "From DaVita for Stage 3: 1. Count your calories. Adequate calories can either prevent weight loss..." + (show)
@kamama94

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.

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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.

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2 replies
kamama94 | @kamama94 | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @miker8888 "I would like to add that portion control is critical. An inexpensive digital scale works wonders...." + (show)
@miker8888

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.

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@miker8888, carbonic acid ( carbonated beverages) isn't great for teeth, either. And your scale suggestion also is a good one. I measure foods in grams rather than cups or tablespoons. Most food labels include gram serving sizes. Because a frozen food nutrition label usually refers to the item in its frozen, uncooked state, I weigh those things while still frozen before preparing. Some items (spices and seasonings come to mind) can be measured in spoons or cups or fractions thereof but whenever possible measuring gram weight of, say, green beans or lettuce is more accurate than measuring by cup or spoon. Food scales come in various shapes and sizes - mine is an inexpensive small one with no batteries or digital readouts, just a place to position the food item and needle in a circle marking ounces and grams - easy to use.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @miker8888 "I would like to add that portion control is critical. An inexpensive digital scale works wonders...." + (show)
@miker8888

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.

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@miker8888 Your comment brought to mind something my husband has said often. He is a kidney transplant recipient, who now eats what he wants to. i keep a pretty strict renal diet, myself, so many times we are fixing two different looking/tasting meals. When he says, "well, you can have some of [fill in the blank] because your phosphorous/calcium/potassium levels have been really good!", my response is, "they're good because I am watching what I eat!"
Ginger

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miker8888 | @miker8888 | Oct 22, 2021

Those are decisions I make every day. It does take discipline. I strictly watch my portions on higher K vegetables and fruits. I commend you for that.

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kamama94 | @kamama94 | Nov 6, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "Just got lab results. GFR slightly up from 35 at 37, BUN down from 40 to..." + (show)
@kamama94

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.

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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.

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1 reply
hopeinal | @hopeinal | Nov 7, 2021

Wonderful! Hang in there, you’re doing great!

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Nov 7, 2021

You’ve done a great job learning about your condition, taking care of yourself and sharing your information with others. I’ve “followed” your situation for a long time. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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czsalt64 | @czsalt64 | Nov 8, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "Newcomers, please note the post about eGFR up to 37 is 3 years old. SInce it..." + (show)
@kamama94

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.

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I think a vegan diet has a lot to do with it. Not being told the dangerous level of mt Ckd regarding protein, I am thank ful that I was most vegan and low salt for years.

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kamama94 | @kamama94 | Nov 8, 2021
In reply to @czsalt64 "Even fruit sugar?" + (show)
@czsalt64

Even fruit sugar?

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I use no other sweetener except sparing amts maple sugar, used to eat sm amts honey but prefer the maple so haven't had honey for months and no artificial sweeteners whatsoever no matter how renally safe they might be claimed. Native Americans had ready access to salt but usually preferred seasoning with a sprinkle of maple sugar. I use tiny pinches of coarse salt when I use it at all. Just FYI for anyone, LOL.

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