CKD renal cookbook

@kayabbott You can also go to the following websites for some great diet and recipe ideas:
Renal Support Network: https://www.rsnhope.org/nutrition-data-information-for-the-kidney-diet/
[they also host a Zoom meeting for kidney patients!]
DaVita Kidney Care: https://davita.com/diet-nutrition/
Fresenius Kidney Care: https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/recipes-and-nutrition
National Kidney Foundation diet tips: https://www.kidney.org/nutrition

Yep, it takes time, but you'll be glad to get some ideas!
Ginger

Is there any good guidance on diet and recipes for someone with both CKD and DM Type2? I can find for one or the other but when you have both it gets complicated as some are good for CKD but not DM and visa versa. Thanks. Rhoda

@gingerw I'll try those sites for recipes. I've been visiting my daughters family of five. It's been sooo hard staying on a friendly kidney diet when surrounded by pizza, chicken nuggets, bacon, all the things I can't have. Does anyone have any guidelines to follow when eating in someone else's home??

@ddon and @atl1943 , Ideally a renal dietician would provide a diet plan. I have Stage 3b CKD and inflammatory colitis and celiac, but my bloodwork on potassium, calcium, and phosphorus (salts) are all within bounds (partly because of a Mediterranean and GF diet plus exercise). Because of the "normals" the dietician was a bust, she said just stay hydrated. Hopefully you have better luck. Regarding eating out, I generally take my own food because of celiac. I ask what will be served and bring something similar. It is hard, because socializing over food is a big part of our culture. I sometimes also eat beforehand and just sample safe foods. Avoid high sugar and salt foods and simple carbs like chips and cookies, stay hydrated but not overhydration. If your level of salts is too high, then restrict foods on the Mediterranean or DASH diets such as potatoes, orange juice, and other foods high in potassium, phosphate, and such. If you search using "recipes for ckd and stage 2 diabetes" it gives some cooking options.
Staying active is also important; I can't do strenuous exercise now, but can still lift weights and mod. exercise. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/healthy-eating/diabetes-and-kidney-disease-food.html

@atl1943 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! There are several of us who face the same dilemma you mention. Having CKD plus another health concern with its own dietary restrictions. For me, it is a diet friendly to gout. I jokingly tell people that I can have oatmeal, apples, and cardboard.

This is where being your own advocate is crucial. Compare the healthy food plans for your situation, and then plan around it all. Fresh foods as much as you can. I really don't think it is "one size fits all", and we have to look at our numbers and decide how to proceed.

What are you doing currently for your food plan?
Ginger

@ddon @kayabbott gave you some great pointers! Visiting family like that is so good for you, but having to forego food that is not healthy can be a challenge. If you can, maybe have a small portion, very small! Opt for getting salads out on the table, and fresh veggies. If you are headed to someone's house, eat ahead of time so you may be less tempted to indulge in the bad stuff.

Often when we are at a potluck, I will put just a tiny bit on my plate, so the others know I am not forgoing the food. Maybe a bite or two. And usually that is enough for me. Can you try this?
Ginger

@kayabbott thanks for the website and your experience. Recently we attended a function that served Greek food. I skipped the flatbread, but took a small strip of lamb, strip of chicken, loaded up on the fresh green salad, ate 2 Greek olives, some feta both I know are salty. A. Spoonful of yogurt sauce. I only drink water or lemon water I have one large coffee in the morning, plain zero fat yogurt, berries, and pecans or walnuts. Dinner time is hardest, but I try eating fresh over store bought process foods. Your right, we live in a culture that centers around food. Thanks

@gingerw Yes! I have been doing this. I take a tiny portion of Korean BBQ or spaghetti enough for 1-2 bites, just for the taste, then go for as much raw carrots, celery or radishes, or fresh salads as I can. I only use olive oil, vinegar with dijon dressing. I've looked at store bought dressings for something different but the sodium is ridiculous so I walk away. Thanks, it helps that we are in this together and it's ok to acknowledge it's a hard journey to eating certain foods away from the typical foods which aren't healthy anyway

@gingerw Hi Ginger, currently we are staying away from beef as much as possible, cooking with an air fryer, mostly chicken, fish and pork. Less potatoes and breads, except for real sour dough bread which does not seem to spike blood sugars as much as "regular" breads. Try to add in fresh fruits and vegetables when possible. I try to cook from scratch as much as possible, very little prepared meals. We are not very adventurous with different spices as I never can seem to get the right combination or flavors. Maybe I am just kind of overwhelmed with trying to keep my husband as healthy as possible. He is 82, CKD, DM2, only one kidney and now cancer in the ureter from his kidney connecting to his bladder. Sorry, I am just rambling on. Best Wishes and Good Luck to everyone as we are all on a journey of some kind. Rhoda

@kayabbott I love all your ideas. Lately, the last 3 months I've been at my daughter's family. At times I've shopped for fresh produce for myself, they don't eat as many salads as I need to. Yesterday I had my usual plain Greek yogurt, berries and pecans one hour later they had bacon, eggs, cheese and buttermilk biscuits from a can. I avoid the table, that evening they had frozen meatball sandwiches, and chips as I walked past to go for a walk. I'd eaten earlier. As you read these foods you'll feel what I do, a mental and emotion struggle. That's what's so hard living in the home with it all. There's 5 of them, we cook from scratch mostly, I'm exhausted. I go back home in a few days but it's been hard. I've eaten more salt than I should, waking up dry and thirsty. I need to shorten my visits to 1-2 weeks at the most, at the risk of eating badly.