Diabetic needing help

[BRANDY]

I can go to frige and dont see anything worth eating ,  If I see something good I cant have it . HELP  what does a predialysis, diabetic eatl. Everything is not on the menu, I really dont know where to go to get  a menu for me to use.Low salt low phosphorus low potassuum no sugar l low protein.   most of you know what Im saying ,.

[paddbear0000]

I'm diabetic and pre-dialysis as well. Unfortunately I don't think i can be much help though. Since I'm on an insulin pump, I can eat sugar far easier than when I wasn't on the pump. I'm also not doing a low potassium or low phos diet since my levels are fine. I would suggest sticking to simpler foods  that are not high in potassium and phos found in the two lists below. Stay away from a lot of the packaged foods, as they have lots of salt and sugars. A lot of the low salt commercial foods also have quite a bit of potassium because that is what they replace the salt with. Your best bet is to stick with more natural foods. It's healthier anyway.

[BRANDY]

I too am on insulin pump, yes I cheat also but even sweets dont sound apealing. I am in a slump about food , I know I got to eat but am at a loss to what I am to eat.  I will find something ,. BF wants a sirloin and shrimp.  I will cook that for him , but even that doesnt bother me to cook it.  Something is wrong with my mind I guess.

[paddbear0000]

Man, I wish I could stomach some sirloin and shrimp right now! Those are 2 of my favorite foods. Some days I can eat, most I can't, so my doctor tells me to just eat whatever I want, because I'm going to end up with severe nutrional deficiency if I don't eat something. I don't want a feeding tube! So I'll go to the food store evry couple of days and buy stuff that appeals to me. If it doesn't appeal to me a few days later, I just let my husband eat it. He'll eat pretty much anything! Lately it's pretty much been fruit stuff (fruit, strawberry mini bagels, jello, etc.). Both the doc and I figure something is better than nothing at this point. I'm in the same boat as you, so I feel for you! 

[monrein]

Can you manage toast and a bit of cream cheese, Brandy?  I lived on that and rice with a little cooked chicken and canned fruit or applesauce when I was pre-D.  The other thing is Renal Boost or Supplena, liquid nutrition, good when the idea of food is impossible.

[BRANDY]

Yes I can eat toast and cream cheese. that actuallly sounds good. I like bagels and cr cheese. Does it matter if meat is fried , I know broiled is best, but I like fried.Im still learning what I can eat safely

[Chris]

Brandy, what are things you like, from snacks, fluids, and foods. Let's start there and work our way from that. Seems you have the same diet plan as a dialysis/diabetic patient with low phos, salt, potassium, and low to no sugar which made food bland even with Ms. Dash. No salt merrinades help with meat though. Yes, I cheated too.

[paddbear0000]

Fried food just isn't good for anyone Brandy, regardless of their health!  Chris mentioned Mrs. Dash. They make a really good marinade you might want to try. I didn't miss the salt in it at all. My husband even likes it, and he's a salt junkie. 

[BRANDY]

 I like  eggs,toast,butter,chicken,rice, noodles,cabbage, celery,gr pepper,cucumber,mayo,brocoli,califlower,corn,coffee,tea,carrots,apples,peaches,sirloin,pork chops , Just looking at what I eat it looks healthy for me but why am I getting nauseas, (Answer is toxins  I think)Salads dont even sound good  . typing these foods in  makes me nauses   Seems they are ok for me   soom in moderation tho,.

[Chris]

If I remember correctly I had to pretty much avoid/limit the veggies you just mentioned, or severly lower your intake also if you use salad dressings made with milk. The NKF use to have a cookbook available to help plan meals, not sure they still have it. Mines in the basement buried.

We'll get you in the right direction.

[monrein]

I like  eggs,toast,butter,chicken,rice, noodles,cabbage, celery,gr pepper,cucumber,mayo,brocoli,califlower,corn,coffee,tea,carrots,apples,peaches,sirloin,pork chops , Just looking at what I eat it looks healthy for me but why am I getting nauseas, (Answer is toxins  I think)Salads dont even sound good  . typing these foods in  makes me nauses   Seems they are ok for me   soom in moderation tho,.

It is the toxins making you nauseous so you might look into a renally acceptable (low phosphorus and potassium) supplement so you don't get malnourished.  Watch mayo because of salt.  Same with ketchup and mustard.  See if you can get an appointment with a renal dietician to talk about how to manage at the stage you're at now.  Things will be different again once you start dialysis but you don't want to get too weak until that time comes.

[BRANDY]

My blood work came back and my GFR is 14% now bun 58. I dont know what to do now. My fistula isnt in place now  I have an appt Thursday to have it fixed. Done preop stuff , got that out of the way . Your oppinion would be appreciated.  How long  have I got before they put me on dialysis.  I try to eat right but now it seems  I may be eating wrong .  I have tried to see dietician, but---- they tell me she wont see me until I am on dialysis.  thats screwed up .  The whole reason I wont to seee her is to stay off dialysis.  I am going to try tomorrow.  Its got to be a money thing.Im trying to get medicaid tomorrow that will take care of one problem is I am accepted. Im trying to get my ducks in a row. thanks for listening to me. I needed to vent

[paddbear0000]

No one can tell you how soon you will be on dialysis. It's different for everyone. A lot of things factor in to it: the extent of damage in the kidneys, diet, medications, and lots of other things. It could be years, months, weeks, days. Who knows. And anyone who sits there and tells you they can tell you, is an idiot. I fluctuated up and down between 14% and 18% for months. Don't stress out about the fistula thing either. There is nothing you can do about it. You are already scheduled for the surgery, so that's good. I'm at 8% and I don't even have mine yet (although I will tomorrow). If the need arises, they can put a catheter in until your fistula is ready. It's not the end of the world.

How are your potassium and phosphorus levels? If they are in the normal range, I would not worry so much about it in your diet. They don't damage the kidneys themselves. They cause damage to other functions in your body because the kidneys may not be able to filter them when damaged, so the levels may be high. Until last week, my potassium and phosphorus levels have been normal. My potassium still is. Your still at 14%, so your levels may not even be affected yet. Check your lab work.

Things in the diet that will damage the kidneys is protein and salt. If you want to possibly help slow down the damage to your kidneys, eat a very low protein diet. This includes eating very little meat, poultry and seafood. Check package labels, because a lot of products have protein. It may not have much, but it adds up fast. Also, greatly reduce your salt/sodium intake. It raises your blood pressure, which damages the kidneys, and also helps your body retain fluid. Excess fluid can also over work already poorly functioning kidneys. Again, read labels because salt/sodium is in everything.

Going over your list of foods you like, I would avoid (or eat very little of) the: eggs, chicken, sirloin, and pork chops. These all have lots of protein! If your potassium and phosphorus levels are fine, then everything else on the list is fine. Just limit the salt you may put on rice, noodles and vegetables. Watch the amount of coffee and tea you drink if it's caffeinated. Caffeine can also raise blood pressure. You can drink it, just don't over do it, or drink caffeine free. If your potassium level is high, go easy on the rice (if it's enriched; if it's not, it's fine), carrots, corn, broccoli, green pepper, and peaches. If your phosphorus level is high, go easy on the rice (if it's enriched; if it's not, it's fine). And yes, the most likely cause of your nausea is the toxins.

I hope all of this helps!

[BRANDY]

paddbear--hope your surgery went ok.Thanks for the  heads up on diet. It will help

[boxman55]

I find that the perfect diet for a diabetic-kidney patient is "cardboard" no problems with this choice of food.  ...Boxman

[Vicky]

My husband is also diabetic, type 2, he is on the low potassium and low phophorus diet at the moment pre dialysis.  I signed upon davita.com you can set up the diet the way you need it and they have some wonderful tasting recipes there.  it gives me a daily meal planner and a weekly meal planner you can even do the shopping list for it and uncheck what you already have in your panty.  I hope this helps!!

[dwcrawford]

I haven't learned about dialysis diet yet.  I'm reading but all the doctor will tell me now is no salt...  I didn't have a big problem over the years with diabetic diet.  Basically I learned that if it tastes good you should spit it out...

The recipes from DaVita looked really good (pictures in the book) but I need recipes with fewer than three ingredients.  I can't manage all the items.  Living alone and not being a cook, I need help.  Are there any premade meals that work?