I need help!!

[joyfulmother]

I will be scanning the forums to see what I can find to help me, but maybe some of you can direct me in the right direction also.

I have been doing PD for almost 2 weeks now so this is all very new to me.  I went from being an "almost vegetarian" to having to get extra protein in my diet.  I am committed to doing this and I think I can handle eating the meat (or use protein supplements to help).  I very much want to lose some weight and I think it will help, from what I've read, when it comes time to getting qualified for a transplant (I weight about 235).

I am wanting to find a very specific diet - or very specific instructions on how to get all I need and still lose weight.  For example, do any of you know how many grams of protein are recommended?  My dietitian recommends 9-12 OUNCES a day.  All the online databases figure out protein in grams.  If I figured it out correctly, that is 255 grams of protein a day (9 oz).

When I was pregnant, I was very strict about my diet (diabetic) and did exactly what the doctors told me - I guess that was because I was looking out for the baby.  Now I am determined to be just as strict because I figure my "babies" still need me!  Can anyone help:?

[kitkatz]

My advice would be to talk to your dietitian because they will give you a prescription diet you can use to lose weight that is good for you while in dialysis.  Also you can go to Davita.com and look at their diet area.

[Restorer]

As far as protein goes, I hate when they tell you to eat "X ounces" of meat a day. That amount is based on the actual weight of the meat, which also includes the fat and water in the serving. The guideline I've always seen is 1.2 times your weight in kilograms. For me, that means about 65 grams of protein a day. For you, it means about 126 grams per day. To give you an idea, there's about that much protein in 1.4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast (before cooking).

Your monthly lab results will show how your protein levels are doing, and whether you need to eat more or less. If you can, insist that the dietician give you information in the most scientific form - I'm sure you can handle it. Some of these dieticians seem to think we just can't understand big numbers.

[joyfulmother]

Thanks!  126 grams is more doable than what I had figured, LOL!!  I like my dietitian and I think she'll have to get to know me.  I appreciate the fact that she told me that she wanted me to focus more on healthy than she did weight loss BUT I think I can do both!!

All my first labs were great except for my PTH; but afterall, I've only been doing this for 2 weeks (almost).

[thegrammalady]

before my kidney problems i used a diet to lose weight that allowed you to eat 10 proteins a day. it defined 1 protein as an ounce of reduced fat cheese, one egg, 1 ounce of lean meat (weighed after cooking). you determin what to eat and how much up to 10. i still use that for eating protein now and never have any problems. my albumin is always above 4.

[Zach]

I am wanting to find a very specific diet - or very specific instructions on how to get all I need and still lose weight.  For example, do any of you know how many grams of protein are recommended?  My dietitian recommends 9-12 OUNCES a day.  All the online databases figure out protein in grams.  If I figured it out correctly, that is 255 grams of protein a day (9 oz).

Please be careful, because there is a big difference between weight of meat (ounces or grams) and the amount of protein (grams) in the meat.


Typically, one ounce of meat (chicken, beef, pork) will provide about ~8 grams of protein.  So, in your example of 9-12 ounces of meat a day, that would equal 72 to 96 grams of protein a day.

Here is the USDA search engine for nutrient information of specific foods:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=4451

According to the National Kidney Foundation (U.S.A.):
http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_updates/nut_a16.html

People on Peritoneal Dialysis need between 1.2 to 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day--in most cases closer to 1.3.  But that is for one's ideal weight.  At least 50% is to come from high quality protein (sometimes referred to as complete protein) such as meat, fish and eggs.

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds.
I weigh 77 kg (about 170 lbs.), so I consume 92 grams Protein per day.

 

[joyfulmother]

So I should figure it by what I should weigh instead of what I do weigh??

[Zach]

So I should figure it by what I should weigh instead of what I do weigh??

I believe that is correct.
It's always good to speak with your nephrologist to confirm everything.

And remember to take your phosphate binders.
 

[joyfulmother]

  I'm actually not on binders yet but I suppose they are coming!

[rookiegirl]

I've been on PD 1 year & 3 months now.  My original weigh before PD was 207lbs.  Now my dry weigh is 186lbs.  I didn't go on any diet restrictions except about 6 months ago, I had to watch my Phosphorus and been taking Tums as a binder.  Can't really say why I lost weight because I'm not doing anything different from what I was doing when I was predialysis.  My lab work is good and I'm feeling great most of the time.  My eating habit hasn't really change much either.

[G-Ma]

Zach..you rock...thanks for breaking down this protein thing...my numbers are all perfect except my albumin is low again so I know I'm not eating enough protein..I'm really not..so I started using that kind of slimy grape protein mixture..(LiquaCel) it's one oz and I put it in 2 oz grape juice and it's ok..that is then 16 grams of Protein plus 2.5 grams of L Arginine..I have noticed when I take this first thing in the morning I'm not hungry the rest of the day so I really have to force protein at that point.  My dry weight is 92.5 so I need help figuring how much more I have to eat or can I use this mixture for all the protein..probably not. Thanks for any help.
Ann