1. < Kidney & Bladder

Looking for an app to help with what to eat for chronic kidney disease

Posted by ms9246 @ms9246, Jul 16, 2021

A good renal app. To help me with my foods, what I should have, what I can’t have, to avoid completely. I’m very new with this and I have lost tons of weight trying to figure this out. I have stage three kidney disease with my With my functions going up and down.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

dogpoundginger | @dogpoundginger | May 31, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@ms9246, you'll notice that I modified the title of this discussion to gather tips from members..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@ms9246, you'll notice that I modified the title of this discussion to gather tips from members regarding apps and other tools to help with managing diet and chronic kidney disease.

See this related discussion:
- Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/3rd-stage-kidney-disease/

Many members in the discussion linked above recommend the website Davita. Here are the tools and apps that Davita recommend for diet and more:
https://www.davita.com/tools
Margaret and @patgil128, have you considered requesting a consult with a kidney dietition?

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Hello!--- Just got on this site. I have a busy schedule this morning so will ad info later--but I have CKD stage 4 severe--GFR---20-22. 9 to 10 yrs. ago I was found to have CKD W/reading of low 30's. My first Nephrologist thought my condition was caused by High Blood Presure Meds, which I had been taking for over 20 yrs. Basic response from Dr. was not to pay attention to my diet[ what to eat,etc.] and just drink lot's of "WATER". Also took me off of several HBP meds. I went along pretty much @ a level of GFR @ around 30 for 8 yrs or so. Then I ran out of my HBP meds while on a trip and experienced a bout of extremely HBP[ 245/120 avg. This then lowered my GFR to around 15-----I am told you cannot improve your GFR by much once Its dropped. I was prescribed a "Kidney-friendly" HBP Med [Hydralazine] and now am holding BP @ a acceptable level.----I did find online a sourse" KidneyHood.org" which really offered a different approach and stressed"DIET PLANNING". I will get back on here later, as I need to go.

REPLY
collegeprof | @collegeprof | Jun 1, 2022

There may be apps out there that will help, like Fooducate, but working directly with a renal dietitian may be a better choice. My Mayo dietitian meets with me every 3 months and has laid out a plan to follow so that my eGFR trend remains stable. Nephrologists unfortunately hardly ever talk about eating the correct foods
and exercise. There are plenty of great books as well from non profit kidney organizations or other best sellers. By using an app, you will find that there will be more questions, which can be solved best by a renal dietitian.

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 1, 2022
In reply to @collegeprof "There may be apps out there that will help, like Fooducate, but working directly with a..." + (show)
@collegeprof

There may be apps out there that will help, like Fooducate, but working directly with a renal dietitian may be a better choice. My Mayo dietitian meets with me every 3 months and has laid out a plan to follow so that my eGFR trend remains stable. Nephrologists unfortunately hardly ever talk about eating the correct foods
and exercise. There are plenty of great books as well from non profit kidney organizations or other best sellers. By using an app, you will find that there will be more questions, which can be solved best by a renal dietitian.

Jump to this post

@collegeprof and @dogpoundginger Take a look at this site for ideas!

https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/healthy-eating-activity is a good start, to help you get information for what will work for you. Each person needs to tailor things for their situation, but it's doable! We're here to help others and share what worked for us. Isn't it great to be part of a caring community!
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
kitmus | @kitmus | Jun 2, 2022
In reply to @collegeprof "There may be apps out there that will help, like Fooducate, but working directly with a..." + (show)
@collegeprof

There may be apps out there that will help, like Fooducate, but working directly with a renal dietitian may be a better choice. My Mayo dietitian meets with me every 3 months and has laid out a plan to follow so that my eGFR trend remains stable. Nephrologists unfortunately hardly ever talk about eating the correct foods
and exercise. There are plenty of great books as well from non profit kidney organizations or other best sellers. By using an app, you will find that there will be more questions, which can be solved best by a renal dietitian.

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Yes….a renal dietition is best. I have been to two and have enough recipies to last for years! Kitty Noel

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dogpoundginger | @dogpoundginger | Jun 2, 2022
In reply to @gingerw "@collegeprof and @dogpoundginger Take a look at this site for ideas! https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/healthy-eating-activity is a good start,..." + (show)
@gingerw

@collegeprof and @dogpoundginger Take a look at this site for ideas!

https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/healthy-eating-activity is a good start, to help you get information for what will work for you. Each person needs to tailor things for their situation, but it's doable! We're here to help others and share what worked for us. Isn't it great to be part of a caring community!
Ginger

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J am aware of "Kidney Hood.org", In fact I sent info on that along, Thanks,

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petuniamom567 | @petuniamom567 | Jun 8, 2022

Can the CKD mentor please tell us why no nephrologists seem to even discuss diet. My nephrologist is a medical
school faculty member and does not discuss diet. What we eat in stage 3 CKD is very important. Why are patients
left on their own. CKD is a serious disease. Patients should be doing everything possible to avoid the disease's
progress. We should not have to go diet hunting on the internet. All of this is discouraging and frustrating. It
would be wonderful if Mayo published a basic diet for each CKD stage. We look to Mayo for intelligent, caring,
practical leadership. Please think about this.
Petunia's Mom

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 8, 2022
In reply to @petuniamom567 "Can the CKD mentor please tell us why no nephrologists seem to even discuss diet. My..." + (show)
@petuniamom567

Can the CKD mentor please tell us why no nephrologists seem to even discuss diet. My nephrologist is a medical
school faculty member and does not discuss diet. What we eat in stage 3 CKD is very important. Why are patients
left on their own. CKD is a serious disease. Patients should be doing everything possible to avoid the disease's
progress. We should not have to go diet hunting on the internet. All of this is discouraging and frustrating. It
would be wonderful if Mayo published a basic diet for each CKD stage. We look to Mayo for intelligent, caring,
practical leadership. Please think about this.
Petunia's Mom

Jump to this post

@petuniamom567 There are nephrologists who will discuss diet, but I have found that referral to a renal dietician, or nutritionist seems to work better, as that person has more access to the latest information available.

To be frank, each person is different. While it would be wonderful to see a basic diet for each stage of CKD, what will work for me may not work for you. I may have different contributing factors or co-morbidities [for example, diabetes, high blood pressure, gout], which will make parts of a "standard" diet moot. Each patient needs to be their own advocate, and take responsibility for having the best/most successful diet for them. When we look at lab results, it is best to look at trends, not relying on a specific date's results, which will give us a better overview of our situation. For me, looking for the best diet tips and how to tweak something that fits me as an individual, is being proactive, and I get satisfaction knowing I have a hand in my own care, not relying on someone else completely. If I had chosen to follow a diet set for each stage I was in, rather than following a strict renal diet for the last 10+ years, I am sure my Stage 5 now would have progressed a lot sooner than just this year!

In general, the components we as kidney patients look out for in our diet are: sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and protein.

Here is a link to Mayo Clinic's suggestions for ideas for a renal friendly diet: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/kidney-renal-diet-recipes/rcs-20522796
As to phosphorous, try here for information: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/food-and-nutrition/faq-20058408
The National Kidney Fund likes the DASH diet: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Dash_Diet

What have you found is the best for you?
Ginger

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