Is Soda ReallyTHAT Bad?

[beachbum]

I was curious why soda gets such a bad rap in the renal world so I looked up some nutrition info. The phosporus level in a can of coke isn't that high. I believe it's like 40mg but don't quote me on that. In comparison a chicken breast contains over 200mg but nobody is telling us not to eat chicken, besides for watching protien intake to save kidney function.

I asked my PD nurse about this and all she could say is that soda provides no nutritional value at all so that's why we should avoid it. But even they won't admit that soda like Sprite and Mountain Dew has little to no phosphorus. Now I know soda isn't good for me but I also know a can of coke isn't going to send my phosphorus levels through the roof, especially if I'm taking my binders. Everything in moderation. In fact, I would have to drink a 6 pack to get the same amount of phosphorus as a serving of chicken would give me.

It just seems strange to me that doctors and nurses try to scare us and treat us like we are children and don't know what's good for us. Treating yourself to something "bad" every now and then is ok as long as it doesn't become a bad habit. Am I wrong?

[Hemodoc]

Organic phosphorus (chicken) has less absorption than the inorganic phosphorus in coke. Sources of phosphorus are not equal. If you want to drink a soda, switch to Sprite or 7-UP. In any case, the high fructose corn syrup worsens HTN and is implicated in obesity and other adverse health consequences. Coke, Pepsi and like are just bad news for anyone on dialysis since the phosphorus levels correlate directly to survival. I would advise against it and learn to enjoy the alternatives. My diet is definitely restricted, but with all of the great alternative options, it is not at all unappealing. It will take a bit of work to relearn eating habits, but with high phosphorus levels, you expose your body to undue risk.

Not much sense going against that knowledge, it just won't get you very far in surviving on dialysis. Just a part of our new lives, but easy to deal with after a bit. Just like lowering salt. Keeping salt low helps me to feel well. Having a high salt meal comes back to haunt me for the next 24 hours at least. Phosphorus is the same sort of issue. Sorry for the bad news on that, but in my mind, it is just not worth the risk. I haven't had a Coke or Pepsi in years even though they are in the fridge for when the kids come over. They are addicted to the stuff which really is not a good thing, but what are you going to do with grown kids that know more than us. In all of those year I have been on dialysis, I can honestly say I have never missed the Coke, not even once. Sometimes the best thing to do is just say goodbye and move on.

[pagandialysis]

Would any of you be interested in home made soda recipes? I have collected a TON of them over the summer.

[texasstyle]

From the best to my knowledge, cola's especially are to be avoided. At my husband's clinic they suggest diet Ginger Ale IF you drink soda. Of course, check with your Dr.

[pagandialysis]

From the best to my knowledge, cola's especially are to be avoided. At my husband's clinic they suggest diet Ginger Ale IF you drink soda. Of course, check with your Dr.

My nutritionist at Davita gave me a whole list of sodas I can drink.

[Desert Dancer]

Would any of you be interested in home made soda recipes? I have collected a TON of them over the summer.

I would LOVE soda recipes. I've been playing around with my own recipes for a few months now. Every drink in my fridge is homemade but Andy really loves the sodas. Me, I'm not really thrilled with them. There just isn't enough fizziness.

[cattlekid]

I can be the first one to attest that colas will do bad things.  I had been doing a good job staying away from colas until October.  We had a party at our house and had cans of cola for the guests.  I drank the leftovers.  Probably 8 cans or so over the course of two weeks.  Even though I drank them with binders, my phos was still through the roof in November - over 8. 


This month, I have abstained from all cola and only had cheese maybe once or twice (no other dairy) and taken my binders religously so I am hoping to see better numbers. 

[beachbum]

Organic phosphorus (chicken) has less absorption than the inorganic phosphorus in coke. Sources of phosphorus are not equal. If you want to drink a soda, switch to Sprite or 7-UP. In any case, the high fructose corn syrup worsens HTN and is implicated in obesity and other adverse health consequences. Coke, Pepsi and like are just bad news for anyone on dialysis since the phosphorus levels correlate directly to survival. I would advise against it and learn to enjoy the alternatives. My diet is definitely restricted, but with all of the great alternative options, it is not at all unappealing. It will take a bit of work to relearn eating habits, but with high phosphorus levels, you expose your body to undue risk.

Not much sense going against that knowledge, it just won't get you very far in surviving on dialysis. Just a part of our new lives, but easy to deal with after a bit. Just like lowering salt. Keeping salt low helps me to feel well. Having a high salt meal comes back to haunt me for the next 24 hours at least. Phosphorus is the same sort of issue. Sorry for the bad news on that, but in my mind, it is just not worth the risk. I haven't had a Coke or Pepsi in years even though they are in the fridge for when the kids come over. They are addicted to the stuff which really is not a good thing, but what are you going to do with grown kids that know more than us. In all of those year I have been on dialysis, I can honestly say I have never missed the Coke, not even once. Sometimes the best thing to do is just say goodbye and move on.

I had no idea about that. That's very important info. That might explain why after I had a Coke the other night I had a bad case of itching and restless legs. I love coke but you are right, if that's the case it's best just to switch to Sprite or something. I've been struggling to get my phosporus levels down to a normal range lately anyways. Thanks for the info!

[fearless]

for myself, I had been a regular Pepsi drinker for years, but what I found was that it was the sugar in my diet that made me want to have soda, as well as chocolate bars, etc.   But once I shifted the whole idea of SUGAR in my mind - that is: it is like a toxin or poison - it was easier to refrain from sweets.  Then, almost magically, like an addict who has made it through withdrawal - my cravings for all the things I once thought I couldn't live without (or wouldn't want to) were just gone!  Now my greatest pleasure is from deliciously prepared healthy foods.  I don't miss sugar. 
 I do sometimes enjoy fizzy water with a spritz of lemon or lime juice.  Yum!
Now no cheese and black beans? ouch, that hurts!

Also, true confession: during my eight years on dialysis, I have actually drunk Pepsi a few times.  I think it's just a sort of thing about not having any absolutes.

[pagandialysis]

Also, true confession: during my eight years on dialysis, I have actually drunk Pepsi a few times.  I think it's just a sort of thing about not having any absolutes.

I drink a Dr. Pepper once a week.

[Restorer]

I have a fair Coke habit. A 24-pack lasts me about a month, but I try to go as long as I can between running out and restocking. I'm not worried about the sugar or the calories, and I take a binder with each can for the phosphorus.

[Whamo]

I love soda, but I avoid it, if not for the phos, for the sugar and/or salt.  That said, a root beer now and then is renal friendly, according to my nep team, but my favorite, A&W, has 100 mg. of sodium.

[shorty590000]

Was told by my dietician clear sodas are ok... but to avoid the coke, pepsi's, etc... i still drink one a day though... most of the time...

[Hemodoc]

It would be helpful to know what everyone's phosphorus is that is drinking the dark sodas. I suspect that they are elevated beyond what they should be. I take no binders, drink no dark sodas and my PO4 is always 3.5-4.5 for the most part in the last year. Elevated PO4 is directly linked to adverse outcomes and mortality. I would still strongly advise folks just to say goodbye to Pepsi and Coke. Just not worth the risk in my opinion.l

[pagandialysis]

It would be helpful to know what everyone's phosphorus is that is drinking the dark sodas. I suspect that they are elevated beyond what they should be. I take no binders, drink no dark sodas and my PO4 is always 3.5-4.5 for the most part in the last year. Elevated PO4 is directly linked to adverse outcomes and mortality. I would still strongly advise folks just to say goodbye to Pepsi and Coke. Just not worth the risk in my opinion.l

I mostly agree. Though I will still have my once a week Dr. Pepper with two binders. No reason I should have to completely give up the things I like. Just have them in moderation in relation to my lab results. If that makes any sense. 

[RichardMEL]

As fearless said for me it was all about no absolutes for me. I lived a mantra of moderation (and extra binders if I had a dark fizzy drink). My phos was always pretty good though - I think though I was more concerned with fluid levels as much as what was in it, so I never drank that much bad stuff.

I used to think life was not really worth living (in the dialysis land) if you couldn't treat yourself once in awhile to remind yourself of some of the good things in life. Sometimes that could be as simple as a coke, or a chocolate sundae.

And yes, my understanding was always that the clear sodas (and *some* root beers) were low or had no Phos.. but the sugar is always a concern for everyone.

[KarenInWA]

I never deprived myself of a Coke on ice when I was on D. As a general rule, I don't buy soda pop for my home, I only have it when I go out to eat. To me, nothing goes better with some foods than a nice, cold, fizzy Coke on ice!  My phos was high at one point, I think in the 6's, but that was due to not taking binders with snacks. Once I started that, then my phos was more in the 4's, the highest it was then was 5. I was never really good at following the diet, but my labs were good, so I was lucky. I can't help it, I enjoy food!

KarenInWA

[RichardMEL]

I can confirm KarenInWA sure likes her iced coke as much as the Seahawks!!!