Dietician said only stay hydrated with Stage 3b CKD....no other diet

@happyquilter. I just can't do some of those spices all the time. Very rarely. Nausea all the time. No appetite. No desire to cook either. Hunting recipes that work for CKD3b is a pain. Ice cream helps settle my stomach but it's not on the diet.

Thanks for the hug.

My CKD is due to diabetes and a short spell of hypertension (high blood pressure). So I follow diabetes dietary guidelines; (that is a different story). I have meds for blood pressure & limit sodium. For the CKD my nephrologist has me “eat for the labs”. This means limit sodium and glucose & carbohydrate (as already mentioned) and be aware of calcium, oxalates, phosphorus and potassium. I also learned that protein can be particularly hard on kidneys, especially red meat. I limit red meat consumption. My poultry is mainly from poultry or fish, eggs and dairy (sometimes pork). I avoid fried foods (because of the fat) and try to stick with baked, grilled or roasted. I use lower carb fruits and veggies. I limit bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, starchy stuff… because of the higher carbs. I stay hydrated. Sugar free beverages like Crystal Light is a good option for me because there is taste but few carbs. I was blessed to find a dietician who was diabetic herself and well versed in renal diet requirements. Many doctors get very little training in nutrition and not all dieticians have training in particular diseases.

@cehunt57 edit. In the middle of my post I meant to say that “my protein is mainly from poultry or fish…..” NOT “my poultry is mainly from poultry or fish…..”
SORRY!

Diet is one major way to help kidneys…how can a dietician say otherwise ? Probably best to seek out a nephrologist and a nephro-nutritionist…meanwhile , watch protein, potassium, phosphorus….and hydrate ! We have to be proactive , as the medical profession doesn’t seem to take kidney function seriously enough…. They have virtually no meds for earlier stage CKD….. there is a lot of good info from reliable sources, though we must beware of online hucksters ! One can have a basically healthy diet, using more plant protein, while stabilizing our kidney function. It is truly up to US !

Sadly, the medical and nutritionist professions are generally not helpful, especially for early CKD…which means that WE must be proactive, with hydrating and diet…watching sodium, protein, creatinine, potassium, phosphorus, etc. ..it is doable and livable…not gerbil food…fortunately there are way more food choices these days, which are a big help…. Some of us have other conditions that make diet balancing more complicated…this site is full of good lived experience thoughtfully presented. There is a lot of useful info online, but beware of hucksters/magic cures !! It’s good to know that we CAN help ourselves. Good luck, everyone !!

@kayabbott. Cute comment. Thanks for the empathy and cooking advice. Cooking for one is challenging and have no desire to become a culinary expert for CKD.

@happyquilter I can totally agree. No appetite most of the time.

@happyquilter I cook because I have to; with celiac disease I turn into the Pillsbury dough boy if I eat a crumb of gluten. There are few restaurants that are safe with my diet restrictions. Unfortunately, our afflictions tend to isolate us from others who don't understand. Not having friends and family to confide in can contribute to lethargy and hopelessness. I work at breaking out of the cycle with hobbies and other interests. I can't do much aerobic exercise with the CKD, except in pieces, but I can lift weights. It was somwhat life changing to get a good personal trainer at my rec center, giving me something to improve in my life, to combat the fear of downward spirals. Even taking walks helps.

@kayabbott One thing I DON'T want to do is cook for one. Cooking beans take time and also need seasoning to make them palatable. Like ham which is a huge no. Bland is out. Nausea from bland flavorless food overtakes the appetite. Canned beans are a huge no for CKD. Absolutely no desire to eat at all after while. WHEN We/I can't enjoy what I eat, I lose my appetite and desire to eat at all. Depression takes over and then I just forget about it. Drink water, maybe eat a piece of kidney friendly bread to curb hunger. May not be the best but after while I just don't care.