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

@kamama94 ~ Would you be willing to share the salt-free seasoning name. It sounds interesting! ^_^

@ldrlw, the last I heard was several months ago and it was being discussed but the USDA apparently decided not to require it yet. I hope that's changed since then and we can find it on labels soon.

Meanwhile, what I've been doing is looking up generic versions of foods on the USDA website instead of brand names with fair but not foolproof results. For instance, if my brand name spinach says a serving is 50 grams and the USDA lists 100 grams for a serving I divide their phosphorus value by 2 to get a ball-park guesstimate on the phosphorus content of my spinach. Just in case I make sure my daily phosphorus total isn't over 600 since I suspect my failing kidney can't process the recommended daily amount for a healthy adult.

Hope this helps.

@dks Either Dash Salt Free, or Lawry's Salt Free 17 Seasoning is what I use, in the large containers! The only reason I have salt in the house is to add to our natural weed killer. I have not looked at the labels for the products offered by Costco or Trader Joe.

Be careful of looking at the ingredients. I looked at a bulk "Salt Free" seasoning in a big box store. What had me turn away immediately was the sugar in it! In fact it was the first ingredient. That's not a spice, in my mind. And some of the salt-free seasoning blends have fillers. I want only the spices.
Ginger

Some months ago I read somewhere the USDA had decided not to require phosphorus on labels yet. Most manufacturers don't test for it so I look up generic versions of my food on the USDA site to calculate phosphorus content.

@gingerw ~ Thank you for the suggestions. When growing up, my mom always used Lawry's Seasoning Salt & I love it. However, I'd not thought to check to see if they made one without the salt, so thank you so much for your reply! I will begin checking closer on package ingredients and totally agree that sugar should not be included as a "spice". LOL

Hi,
I am not sure what GFR stands for in my kidney reading, I am at stage 2 to3 my GFR is 72.
I have only one kidney, I am having problems with constipation, it goes along with
kidney failure, I just found out.
I still working on my diet, it is abit confusing, I am off all sugar and dairy.
I find I have more energy, and feel better.
Thanks Darlene

Hi,
I am not sure what GFR stands for in my kidney reading, I am at stage 2 to3 my GFR is 72.
I have only one kidney, I am having problems with constipation, it goes along with
kidney failure, I just found out.
I still working on my diet, it is abit confusing, I am off all sugar and dairy.
I find I have more energy, and feel better.
Thanks Darlene

@tecalai276 Welcome, Darlene, to Mayo Clinic Connect, we're glad to see you here!

eGFR stands for "estimated glomerular filtration rate", and is a measurement of how much blood passes through the filtering components of our kidneys per minute [the glomeruli]. A reading of 72 shows you are solidly in Stage 2, and is a healthy place to be!

Yes, constipation can be an issue in any disorder we have, and seems to be more important in kidney disease. Making sure you have a good diet for your health conditions, getting moderate exercise, moderating your stress levels, and following your medical team's suggestions, will go a long way to keeping healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important. Some people use products like Miralax or Metamucil as a remedy for constipation.

As you read through the posts here, you will find the general consensus is diet is of utmost importance. It pays to take your time and find what works best for you. If you have additional health concerns you may need to tweak things for your needs. For example, I am prone to gout, so I cannot/do not eat shellfish, purines, and pork products. I am also lactose intolerant, and there goes ice cream!
Ginger

I also live in Phoenix.
Would you please share the name of your Mayo dietitian and nephrologist?
Is there for a support group for kidneys at Mayo?
Thank you.
Pam Miller

@holachickie

When you call Mayo for an appointment, they will schedule you with a nephrologist so giving you my doc's name may not work. They are all reasonably good, but I am switching to another whom I can see consistently, and is outside of Mayo.

There is no support group that I am aware. If you stay with this Mayo forum, you will learn by sharing more than any other group that I can find. Our mentor and monitor, @gingerw, is an excellent teacher, and you will learn from her. There are others as well who will help you along the way. In my opinion, this forum is the AA of kidney disease.