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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@petuniamom567

Would love to have help of renal dietician at Mayo. How did you hook up with her? Here, no
help when it comes to food. Also, no more acupuncturists. All left town. Think they are very
helpful in assorted areas. In addition, person who says X-Ray equipment is outdated is correct.
All kidneys should have scans, MRI's. Part of the problem with that, though, is people with
kidney disease can't have contrast material. That's why equipment should be the best.
Thanks for your insights.

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The unfortunate parts of CKD are that there is no cure nor can we be privileged to have a solution that fits all. My goal is to maintain my 3B status and not slip any further. I live in Phoenix where I have access to a Mayo nephrologist and dietitian. I also believe my acupuncturist and my
PCP play important roles, but for me that is individualized. I get labs every 6 to 12 weeks, and if there is a question. I have the Mayo patient portal to contact my nephrologist. For me, my most important tools are the labs and dietitian. In your area. if you can get these tools, I believe it may help considerably. Please also refer to this forum for the excellent diet & food resources both online and in book or pdf form.

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@2011panc

@carnes I also am borderline Stage 3/4 Kidney Disease. Currently I follow five limiting diets: low fiber, low carbohydrates, low fat, low dairy and low oxilate. I eat popcorn, rice cakes, rice, Grape Nuts, Shredded Wheat, bananas, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, pears (few), cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, oranges (few), green beans, peas, corn, cabbage, cucumbers (raw), onions, tomatoes, avocadoes, summer squash, carrots (few and most often cooked), asparagus, chicken, lean beef, tuna, fresh/frozen fish, a little pork, and a small amount of dairy from cheese, yogurt, ice cream and milk. The way to enjoy the foods you can eat is with your seasoning. I had very little available to me during a long hospital stay and watched cooking shows. Now I often check recipe sites for ideas: FoodNetwork, Cooking.com, Allrecipies.com, to name a few. I do put canned dry beans in my chili, but we only eat that a few times a month. I encourage you to check some things out and would love to hear how you are doing. Good luck.

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I suggest you look into <kidneyhood.org>-----I am stage 4 severe--I'm now spending more time learning this program, my GFR dropped severely about 18 months ago---This program has turned that around--

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@dogpoundginger

I suggest you look into <kidneyhood.org>-----I am stage 4 severe--I'm now spending more time learning this program, my GFR dropped severely about 18 months ago---This program has turned that around--

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You can raise your GFR.
You are correct that there is no cure, however, there are solutions.
I found out I had Kidney Disease by accident, and the nephrologist was not interested in offering guidance or suggestions. - my GFR was 50. On my own, I fought my way to the hospital nutritionist. However, I am not sure she is a kidney nutritionist. What I have done has been on my own. Apparently, being in Stage 3 when you are older, means you won't reach dialysis so you are on your own.

Nine months later, my GFR is 65-69. I have progressed from State 3 or b, to Stage 2.

This is because I began to self educate and I changed my diet. Alone in a virtual ocean of information, you can still figure out the proper course to take, and by comparing and analyzing the help out there, you can take giant strides in kidney management.

It is all about diet and that is how you will slow down, stop or reverse your condition. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, so the meat was not an issue. The big four you need to consider are meat, dairy, salt, and sugar. There is a lot of help and guidance online, and by studying various diet advice and kidney-friendly help, you can become very well informed and begin to work on raising your GFR.

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@susanna82

You can raise your GFR.
You are correct that there is no cure, however, there are solutions.
I found out I had Kidney Disease by accident, and the nephrologist was not interested in offering guidance or suggestions. - my GFR was 50. On my own, I fought my way to the hospital nutritionist. However, I am not sure she is a kidney nutritionist. What I have done has been on my own. Apparently, being in Stage 3 when you are older, means you won't reach dialysis so you are on your own.

Nine months later, my GFR is 65-69. I have progressed from State 3 or b, to Stage 2.

This is because I began to self educate and I changed my diet. Alone in a virtual ocean of information, you can still figure out the proper course to take, and by comparing and analyzing the help out there, you can take giant strides in kidney management.

It is all about diet and that is how you will slow down, stop or reverse your condition. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, so the meat was not an issue. The big four you need to consider are meat, dairy, salt, and sugar. There is a lot of help and guidance online, and by studying various diet advice and kidney-friendly help, you can become very well informed and begin to work on raising your GFR.

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usanna82----my suggestion reference kidneyhood.org was to collegeprof----your experience is exactlly what the KH program follows. Their program offers a supplement "Albutrix-which helps to offset lost protien with "low-protien diet".. Thank you, "dogpoundginger"

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@susanna82

You can raise your GFR.
You are correct that there is no cure, however, there are solutions.
I found out I had Kidney Disease by accident, and the nephrologist was not interested in offering guidance or suggestions. - my GFR was 50. On my own, I fought my way to the hospital nutritionist. However, I am not sure she is a kidney nutritionist. What I have done has been on my own. Apparently, being in Stage 3 when you are older, means you won't reach dialysis so you are on your own.

Nine months later, my GFR is 65-69. I have progressed from State 3 or b, to Stage 2.

This is because I began to self educate and I changed my diet. Alone in a virtual ocean of information, you can still figure out the proper course to take, and by comparing and analyzing the help out there, you can take giant strides in kidney management.

It is all about diet and that is how you will slow down, stop or reverse your condition. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, so the meat was not an issue. The big four you need to consider are meat, dairy, salt, and sugar. There is a lot of help and guidance online, and by studying various diet advice and kidney-friendly help, you can become very well informed and begin to work on raising your GFR.

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As I understand, there are 2 types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Further, acute may be "remedied" to a greater GFR because there may have been a traumatic event associated with kidneys. On, the other hand , chronic is the condition where over time and age through diabetes or high blood pressure, typically, the kidneys weaken but can be controlled and slowed somewhat to a degree through exercise and proper nutrition with the help of a renal or diabetic dietitian or one of many recognized kidney organizations. My acupuncturist has shown to me those acute patients who did achieve a greater GFR through acupuncture and herbal remedies, but she also has a PhD degree in Immunolgy from a top rated US College. Cure, as I previously stated, unfortunately, does not exist among CKD patients, but can be remedied to some extent. But as Ginger, one of our monitors, often points out, it is the "trend" of the GFR that matters the most. I never said there are no solutions, and I just gave evidence of proper medical help. I applaud you for achieving your goals with this disease, but as a vegetarian perhaps you may have not experienced long term problems through diabetes or high blood pressure as the majority of CKD patients have. I repeat, there is no one overall solution to CKD for all patients, but in many cases, can be slowed with proper health control by a medical technician or family of technicians.

I love the feedback from monitors, Ginger and Colleen,on this forum when you read their responses to questions posed. I have yet to see a doc respond on Mayo Connect, so these two represent a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Should you see their comments, you will have received great information.

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@dogpoundginger

I suggest you look into <kidneyhood.org>-----I am stage 4 severe--I'm now spending more time learning this program, my GFR dropped severely about 18 months ago---This program has turned that around--

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I have read Lee Hull's book and visited his website. Among his testimonials at his site, his dietitian claimed that with his program and Albutrix that dialysis can be prevented for up to a year. This means from 2 weeks, 2 months, or even 12 months, this program will help you be free of dialysis or a short term solution. If you can show me through scientific medical evidence from any leading kidney health organizations that Albutrix works for the long term, then he should be applauded for his work. At $200/month for his Albutrix, this is a steep price to pay for a short term solution. I love the science, but unfortunately. could not find the research for Albutrix use by a recognized kidney organization. I truly hope you succeed with his program and Albutrix.

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@collegeprof

As I understand, there are 2 types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Further, acute may be "remedied" to a greater GFR because there may have been a traumatic event associated with kidneys. On, the other hand , chronic is the condition where over time and age through diabetes or high blood pressure, typically, the kidneys weaken but can be controlled and slowed somewhat to a degree through exercise and proper nutrition with the help of a renal or diabetic dietitian or one of many recognized kidney organizations. My acupuncturist has shown to me those acute patients who did achieve a greater GFR through acupuncture and herbal remedies, but she also has a PhD degree in Immunolgy from a top rated US College. Cure, as I previously stated, unfortunately, does not exist among CKD patients, but can be remedied to some extent. But as Ginger, one of our monitors, often points out, it is the "trend" of the GFR that matters the most. I never said there are no solutions, and I just gave evidence of proper medical help. I applaud you for achieving your goals with this disease, but as a vegetarian perhaps you may have not experienced long term problems through diabetes or high blood pressure as the majority of CKD patients have. I repeat, there is no one overall solution to CKD for all patients, but in many cases, can be slowed with proper health control by a medical technician or family of technicians.

I love the feedback from monitors, Ginger and Colleen,on this forum when you read their responses to questions posed. I have yet to see a doc respond on Mayo Connect, so these two represent a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Should you see their comments, you will have received great information.

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Hello @collegeprof

I do agree that Ginger @gingerw and Colleen @colleenyoung are great mentors in this group. You also said that you never see a doctor respond on Mayo Connect. There is a good reason for that. Mayo Connect is a patient-to-patient support group. We are not medical professionals.

However, if you are interested in learning from Mayo doctors please go to the top of your screen and click on "Blogs and Podcasts." There you will find lots of information on various health issues from a Mayo doctor's perspective.

How long have you been dealing with kidney disease?

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@hopeful33250

Hello @collegeprof

I do agree that Ginger @gingerw and Colleen @colleenyoung are great mentors in this group. You also said that you never see a doctor respond on Mayo Connect. There is a good reason for that. Mayo Connect is a patient-to-patient support group. We are not medical professionals.

However, if you are interested in learning from Mayo doctors please go to the top of your screen and click on "Blogs and Podcasts." There you will find lots of information on various health issues from a Mayo doctor's perspective.

How long have you been dealing with kidney disease?

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Thank you for pointing out "Blogs and Podcasts". I will look into that. I typically watch the docs from the National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Foundation, Davita, etc. One of my favorites is Blake Shusterman. When I respond, I am just a patient with little authority but some knowledge over the last 7 years.

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@collegeprof

Thank you for pointing out "Blogs and Podcasts". I will look into that. I typically watch the docs from the National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Foundation, Davita, etc. One of my favorites is Blake Shusterman. When I respond, I am just a patient with little authority but some knowledge over the last 7 years.

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Yes, @collegeprof, you do have some knowledge and that is important!

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@collegeprof

As I understand, there are 2 types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Further, acute may be "remedied" to a greater GFR because there may have been a traumatic event associated with kidneys. On, the other hand , chronic is the condition where over time and age through diabetes or high blood pressure, typically, the kidneys weaken but can be controlled and slowed somewhat to a degree through exercise and proper nutrition with the help of a renal or diabetic dietitian or one of many recognized kidney organizations. My acupuncturist has shown to me those acute patients who did achieve a greater GFR through acupuncture and herbal remedies, but she also has a PhD degree in Immunolgy from a top rated US College. Cure, as I previously stated, unfortunately, does not exist among CKD patients, but can be remedied to some extent. But as Ginger, one of our monitors, often points out, it is the "trend" of the GFR that matters the most. I never said there are no solutions, and I just gave evidence of proper medical help. I applaud you for achieving your goals with this disease, but as a vegetarian perhaps you may have not experienced long term problems through diabetes or high blood pressure as the majority of CKD patients have. I repeat, there is no one overall solution to CKD for all patients, but in many cases, can be slowed with proper health control by a medical technician or family of technicians.

I love the feedback from monitors, Ginger and Colleen,on this forum when you read their responses to questions posed. I have yet to see a doc respond on Mayo Connect, so these two represent a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Should you see their comments, you will have received great information.

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@collegeprof Your description of kidney disease is "right on", as us oldsters would say! I first became aware of my kidney disease as early as 2006, when my primary care doctor at that time mentioned it. I began a very long search for information, but did not have any typical contributing factors. Being my own health advocate since 1988 when I was diagnosed with an autoimmmune disease called Systemic Lupus, I recalled hearing a doctor tell me in 1999 there might be kidney involvement. Everything was like molasses in January, moving slowly along. My chronic kidney disease is due to a very rare autoimmune condition [less than 50 in world ever diagnosed with it!] diagnosed in 2015, but showing on tests as early as 1999, when the condition was first recognized in 1996!

Fast forward to now, and I will tell you that similar to you, I have watched podcasts, read numerous articles, and done my research to answer my own questions and gain education. What is so great about Mayo Clinic Connect, is that we can share with other people, what has worked for us, or not worked. Everyone is different, and each patient has their own take on health. I am now Stage 5, and will start dialysis soon. It has been 16 years since I heard CKD from my doctor. But, because I decided to be proactive and follow what was for me, the best course of action, I have delayed dialysis for many years. It was the result of lifestyle changes, diet changes [following a renal diet way before anyone suggested it], and monitoring my lab numbers, watching the trends.

My apologies for this long response. Education is self-empowerment. Be an active, engaged patient. Have dialogues with your medical team. Truly, it makes a difference.
Ginger

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