What's the best thing for us to eat?

[thom]

I watch these tv programs about people trying to loose weight, they're having fruit  smoothies, and loads of veg and cutting out fat and sugar and i want to do that myself but obviously i can't. I want to eat the best things possible but i don't really have a clue. i know about the fruit ( not to have alot?) but would a fruit smoothie once a day do me any good? anything at all? or just make things worse? i eat alot of meat, is tht ok? i try cut out as much salt as possible, and dairy products. so i think i just need  a bit of advice about how i can eat the best things possible to be as fit as possible, i'm at the age where i want to keep fit, go to the gym ect but it's not all possible.

[mallory]

Thom,  There are a few good sites out there that have examples of renal diets.  Here's a link to one:
http://www.nwkidney.org/images/website/docs/nutrition/guide.htm

You can also go to the Northwest Kidney main site, it has links to other nutrition sites: http://www.nwkidney.org/services/nutrition/healthyeating/

But, you need to be careful and talk to your doctor and your dietitian.  Your diet will vary based on the type of dialysis you're on and on your own lab test results, so it's good to get advice from lots of sources, but be sure to make choices that make sense for your particular situation.

[Rerun]

Thom, are you trying to lose weight, stay the same, or lose weight?

[thom]

Thom, are you trying to lose weight, stay the same, or lose weight?

i'm trying to gain weight! i have scandishake ice creams once a day which is about 800 calories, been having them a good 4 months and my weights pretty much stayed the same.

[Zach]

i'm trying to gain weight! i have scandishake ice creams once a day which is about 800 calories, been having them a good 4 months and my weights pretty much stayed the same.

Just a suggestion:
Make sure your intake is 35 Kcal per kilogram of weight per day
1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day

It can be a struggle to achieve this, but it may help.  Also some light weight training might help, too.

[Panda_9]

I make smoothies and there is a way around it but the main thing you have to watch is the fluid part of it. I replace half the milk with ice and throw in some stewed strawberries (stewed in sugar), and whizz it all up. You can add icecream for more flavour but that bumps up the potassium and phosphate. I will be adding smoothie recipes to my book if I ever get around to doing it.

I would have a smoothie as a treat only, and try to keep the fluid content of it to a minimum.

[MelissaJean]

If you want to gain weight eat two more bites after you are done eating.  Then try and go on a walk so you digest good... which keeps you healthy.  I started to gain weight after I began to exercise and got some muscles back into my legs!

[goofynina]

Melissa,  may i ask something,  can you explain when you said get muscle back in your legs? Please,  i am having a hard time with my legs getting me where i want (or need) to go.   Seems like i cant get off the couch or chair unless i use my arms,  I cant even lift myself up to stand on a chair, did you (or anyone) ever have any of these problems with their legs?  If so, is it possible to rebuild muscle in your legs?

[MelissaJean]

Goofynina,
I am not a huge expert about muscles growing back but here is what I mean: (two examples) 
After I got my lung transplant I was in bed for two weeks without moving.  I got muscle in my legs by starting to walk around the hospital, then around the outside of the hospital, and continuing to slowly increase my walking distance.  I took dance classes, walked around 30 minutes a day and lived in a two story house, so I got muscles back in my legs.
The second time was before dialysis when I was in bed for two weeks because I was too weak to walk.  I started by walking around the block with  the strap arm weights on my ankles, and worked my way up to walking more.  Now I am on my feet a lot of the day.  I also exercise by walking 30-45 minutes a day, sometimes playing tennis, basketball or,  going out dancing all night.  I would say my legs are back to "normal." 
Hope this answers your questions!

[goofynina]

pretty much, thank you and i am so glad you are doing good   keep up the great work my friend    I guess i better start walking huh?  lol, ugh,    tomorrow    or better yet,   on Monday, lol,  thats usually the day i "start" my diet (just to bad it ends on tuesday) 

[thom]

i'm trying to gain weight! i have scandishake ice creams once a day which is about 800 calories, been having them a good 4 months and my weights pretty much stayed the same.

Just a suggestion:
Make sure your intake is 35 Kcal per kilogram of weight per day
1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day

It can be a struggle to achieve this, but it may help.  Also some light weight training might help, too.

ok i'll try, it does sound difficult be im sure it can be done. i go swimming around three times a week and i find that has helped with my strength a bit but no real change in muscles and i wondered if weight training would do anything so thatnks for the help.

[BigSky]

Melissa,  may i ask something,  can you explain when you said get muscle back in your legs? Please,  i am having a hard time with my legs getting me where i want (or need) to go.   Seems like i cant get off the couch or chair unless i use my arms,  I cant even lift myself up to stand on a chair, did you (or anyone) ever have any of these problems with their legs?  If so, is it possible to rebuild muscle in your legs?

Do squats.   Stand with your back against a wall and squat down.   At first go down as far as possible while still being able to stand back up unassisted.  This may only be partial squats in the beginning but it will help.  Do 3 sets.  Do as many reps as possible.  When you reach 10 reps for 3 sets, start squatting lower until you are able to reach parallel for 3 sets of 10 reps.  After that is reached, add weight to it.  Anything can be used for weight. You do not need dumbells.  Use plastic milk containers filled with water, water bottles, etc.

One point to remember is that when you think you are done and cannot stand it and want to quit don't,  keep going.  Too many people give up at the first sign of discomfort.   You need to work past this discomfort to build up your stamina.

[Zach]

BigSky has a good suggestion.   

Remember, exercise to fatigue, builds muscle.

Just make sure you're consuming enough calories and protein ... and receiving adequate dialysis.

This explains more about the need for us to exercise.  It's from the National Kidney Foundation (U.S.A.)
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozPrint.cfm?id=112

This section is also good:
http://www.kidney.org/patients/plu/plu_manag/vi.cfm

[carson]

I used to do body building in the 90's before I needed dialysis again. I know lots about putting on muscle but there's things are a bit different when you're on dialysis (especially PD).

Be careful when doing squats (as suggested by Bigsky) not to bend your knees more than 90 degrees. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor. Doing deeper squats is bad for your knees. But done right, they're a great muscle building exercise!

Stair climbing is also good, again when done right. Don't hold the rail. Use all your leg and try not to cheat with your arms. Go slow up and down. When going down, lower your foot to the next step very slowly (count to 5 or 10). Doesn't strain your body too much, other than your leg. Keep your posture upright, keeping your belly tight.

Swimming's great exercise, but not a muscle builder. Good for the joints though! I wish I could swim...

Keep up the good work!!