Dietitian Gives Kidney-Healthy Menu Tips

[okarol]

Dietitian Gives Kidney-Healthy Menu Tips

POSTED: 6:39 pm PDT July 24, 2008

People with chronic kidney disease know how it can turn a life upside down.

But by making some simple diet changes, sufferers can help their bodies cope and even delay the progression of the disease.

As with most serious medical conditions, some foods can't be eaten at all.

But even with kidney disease, people can still have a lot of their favorites if they stick to three rules:

   1. Eat fresh
   2. Eat frequently
   3. Control portion size

Most people develop a regular route around the grocery store.

But for those newly-diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, or CKD, dietitian Susie Beckett said it's time to steer in a new direction.

"The kidney diet is one of the most difficult diets out there to do because it has multiple dietary factors you have to consider," Beckett said.

Many CKD patients already have high blood pressure and diabetes, so Beckett said a diet rich in proteins, low-fat dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables is a must.

But even fruit requires proper portions.

"You want to think about something between the size of a golf ball and tennis ball is a good size for a fresh fruit," Beckett said.

Whole-grain breads are a healthy choice if you're in the low stages of kidney disease.

"It's going to help with their blood pressure and diabetes, but they may be higher in phosphorus and potassium, which may need to be eliminated in the higher stages of CKD," Beckett said.

Potassium, phosphorous and sodium are dangerous for CKD sufferers, and Beckett said they're all hidden in the deli section.

"The deli can be a mine field for lots of sodium and phosphorous for our people," Beckett said.

But fresh, lean meats and fish are encouraged, in moderation of course.

"A deck of cards is about three ounces. So our average female would need about two decks of protein a day," Beckett said.

In the dairy section, Beckett said people with CKD should choose low-fat yogurt, cheese and milk or even a soy product.

"If your stages of kidney disease increase, you're going to want to find some alternatives for milk," Beckett said.

But Beckett said the biggest thing to get rid of with kidney disease is extra salt.

Add as many herbs as you want, eat smaller meals more often and be willing to try new things.

Another big theme of the kidney diet is avoiding processed foods.

Eat fresh foods as much as you can, but before you make any big changes to your diet, check with your doctor first.

WATCH VIDEO http://www.kptv.com/news/16982584/detail.html#-

[stauffenberg]

Ms. dietician prattles on about  how wonderful fresh fruits are, but of course many of them are high in potassium and phosphorus, so even these can be dangerous, depending on the stage of renal failure.  Also, the controversy about protein intake is not discussed, since while some nephrologists recommend protein restriction, holding intake around 0.4 gms/kg/day, others believe the state of malnutrition this produces causes more problems than benefits, since the patient then comes to dialysis with little resistance.  Even the recommendation of limiting the amount of food eaten is questionable, in light of new data suggesting that overweight dialysis patients live much longer than normal or underweight patients.

[pelagia]

I think the main point of the piece is to eat healthy foods for as long as possible.  Clearly though, anyone with CKD needs to educate themselves about how diet can affect their health as they lose kidney function.  I wouldn't rely on the docs or even the renal dietician for this.  We learned much more by doing our own research on the web and reading info posted here at IHD.

[flip]

I have been notified that Popa Dash has again been discontinued by Alberto-Culver. This was the only decent salt substitute I've ever found. I have some samples coming in from other companies that are new salt substitutes. I will evaluate them when they come in. I can't handle Mrs. Dash.

[monrein]

Is Poppa Dash packed with potassium like all the other "salt substitutes"??

[flip]

No, Popa Dash was actually like salt with only 15% of the sodium. The new samples are supposed to be similar with no potassium.

[monrein]

Souds good, so OF COURSE they're discontinuing it.

[flip]

They discontinued it back in 2000 because of slow sales. After a lot of public requests, they brought it back and made it available in case lots from the main warehouse. I ordered another case last month and my check was returned along with the notice that it was no longer available. It actually had the salt taste that I love so much.

[monrein]

Wonder if they'd give you the formula so you could make it yourself?

[flip]

I figure they will bring it back again in a year or two and double the price.

[stauffenberg]

I actually think that if you give up salt completely you lose your taste for it.  You actually regain the capacity to taste the real flavor of foods you used to submerge in the harsh taste of salt.  During the three years since my transplant, I have remained on the same no-salt diet I followed on dialysis and it doesn't bother me a bit.

[twirl]

I never have salt in the house
my nep just told me not to add salt and that I would be fine
did not grow up adding salt
I think Mrs. Dash sucks
thought everyone but me liked it 
can not stand it when people add salt to chips at Mexican restaurants

[stauffenberg]

The problem with most salt-substitutes is that they rely on the fact that potassium tastes like salt and so by avoiding one substance dialysis patients are not supposed to have you stumble into another one you should avoid.  Regular Mrs. Dash is a major culprit in this area.

[BigSky]

The problem with most salt-substitutes is that they rely on the fact that potassium tastes like salt and so by avoiding one substance dialysis patients are not supposed to have you stumble into another one you should avoid.  Regular Mrs. Dash is a major culprit in this area.

All Mrs. Dash dry seasoning blends are low in potassium.

http://www.dietitiancenter.com/ni_md.cfm

[kitkatz]

I also do not like Mrs. Dash.  Something in it gives me allergies.

[flip]

I had thought about taking the Mrs. Dash table blend and mixing in about 10-15% sea salt. I may try that tonight.

[Rerun]

I love Mrs. Dash.  It beats nothing at all.  Try getting the Papa Dash on Ebay.



                                           

[flip]

I did an Ebay search after I got the notification and nothing came up. I guess I'll wait and try the new stuff.

[okarol]

Has  anyone tried the McCormick's Salt Free Seasonings? http://www.mccormick.com/recipelist.cfm?searchtext=salt+free&x=0&y=0