What to eat. Diabetic & 7 heart stents.

Type 1 or 2 Diabetes? Stage 3 isn't that much of a concern for me, though it is hard to get a handle on it since eGFR bounces around from 35 to 50. Have you had a Cystatin test done? That GFR is more accurate. Hope you can see a nutritionist! My kid has type 1, which doesn't have the diet limitations of type 2.

@dedecrane welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. @windyshores suggestion of a nutritionist is a great one. One that is well versed in diabetes and renal disease would be helpful. Have you already received any dietary recommendations in regards to your diabetes & / or cardiac conditions? Adding some instructions for CKD won’t be that hard to do.

When diagnosed with CKD my doctor sent me a list of foods to avoid and foods that were ok to eat. That was helpful. I need recipes. I don't have a nutritionist and don't know where to find one in my area but I really like that idea. I've lost 25 pounds in the last year and quit dieting I guess mainly because I've been married 66 years and my spouse can eat anything. Makes it hard to cook. I want to have the years I have left to be quality. I have started to limit salt & carbs. Is that the best?? I really dislike being devoted full time to ME. Open to all suggestions.

Hi Windyshores. I'm sure I haven't had a Cystatin test done because, as you said, the accuracy is better. I'm a type 2 which is easier, I think, than type 1. So hard for kids. Do I ask my doctor for the Cystatin test?

Yes if you can. The Cystatin is steadier and consistently higher for me. Apparently the usual eGFR is affected more by dehyration and changes in muscle mass.

Surprisingly my nephrologist wants me to increase salt and "push protein," the opposite of what I would have expected. This is all more complicated than I had imagined. She feels low blood pressure could be a culprit in the low eGFR's.

Thanks Windyshores. That is interesting because I was told to watch my salt content which makes sense for retention of fluids. As for meat protein I was told just fish and chicken. I know how to eat for a diabetic but this is very different. Thanks for your input.

@dedecrane Let me add my welcome to you, as others have!

We often have multiple things to handle when it comes to our health journey. Eating well for one condition seems to fly in the face of another, doesn't it?! Congratulations on your weight loss, which can always be a challenge, no matter your age or health.

There are several websites that can offer you dietary tips and recipes structured for renal patients. Remember that it can vary, what our medical team may tell us to do for our particular situation.

From the National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/nutrition
From Davita Kidney Care: https://www.davita.com/diet-nutrition/recipes
From Fresenius Kidney Care: https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/recipes-and-nutrition

That should get you started! And please let us know if you have questions!
Ginger

Thanks for the reply and giving me info for kidney care. I have discovered davita and like it very much. Also, I found kidney kitchen which I'm checking out. All of this takes a ton of reading!! Thanks a bunch Ginger.