Financial Cost of the renal diet

[Lillupie]

ok got a question. How many people do you feed on a daily basis? How much do you spend on groceries on the renal diet??
 Im having an extreme hard time on the renal diet because of cost of food. I hate leftovers and I really dont have room to freeze food. I HAVE NO PLACE TO STOCK UP ON FOOD. The cost of meat to feed myself, my growing daughter, and grown man of a husband is too much. If I have to eat 8-10oz of meat a day, that meat adds up. I want to eat Mac and Cheese or atleast the StoveTop (much cheaper then fresh meat), but we cant. Making food from scratch is costing too much money. Eating meat or fresh food is too expensive. Its getting to the point that we cant afford other bills.
 Like Mac and Cheese. (I know thats extreme, but I can get filled up on that) is only like $.68 a box, compared to two frozen packs of like cod (cheaper then other fish) is $8.99 each package (with two little pieces of fish)
 Not a big chicken fan, but we still eat that quit often.
 Like for lunch, we can only have the deli meat, which cost wayy more then the prepackaged lunch meat.

I sweaer if they hound me about protein, I want to tell them to go screw themselves or tell them to start giving me money for meat and eggs. The nurses and doctors make more moeny then I do. The Stovetop meals that you just add meat (ground beef) are soo much more cheaper, buuut nooo too much phos.
ITs like I look at my cart and the most expensive food I have is that damn meat and I would not be eating it on a daily basis if it werent for dialysis. I just dont have the money for this. Like I said on clinic day Im going to tell them to get bent if they dont like my Albumin levels.  I dont know how much money you have, but please dont lecture me or nag me about this,. I know some of you who are wealthy have no problem with buying organic foods and meat for a daily basis, so I just ask that you not come down on me.

Lisa

[Clara]

I shop the ads.  I then go to Walmart who matches the ad price.  I only by meat when it is on sale.  You may be agle to find another protein source but I think these also may have too much phosphates.   I still manage to eat mac n cheese but I am not on dialysis yet.  I just could not bring myself to give up the cheese yet.  I am limited on my meant for now but my husband eats a lot of chicken.  I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck.

Christi

[lmunchkin]

I totally understand Lisa.  Hell anything Renal (food, dialysis, surgeries ....ect) costs a fortune.

When John was on PD, he drank Ensure with 2 scoops of Whey Protein Powder every day and sometimes twice a day.  That was the one draw back to PD, was to make it work well, you have to have excellent Protein levels.  He doesnt miss PD for that reason alone!!!

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[chiawana]

I'm sorry it's costing you so much for the food you need. It has to be especially hard with several family members to shop for, too. It's just my husband and I so we have it a little easier. He's the one on dialysis and it's a chore getting him to eat enough protein. His other labs are good, just low in protein. What's really frustrating is that I boil eggs for him and even peel them, and he doesn't eat them!!! He likes meat but doesn't eat enough. Would it be possible for everyone in your house to eat pretty much what you do, just maybe not quite as much meat? That would simplify meal planning and cooking. And you might be able to buy some things in larger quantities for a little less money. Are you diabetic, too? My husband is, and when he first had to start the renal diet I was just flabbergasted. Everything he could have on the renal diet was big no-nos for a diabetic.  WHITE bread, for god's sake! We have never had white bread in the house, but that's what he's allowed to eat. Well, I can tell you right now he doesn't follow the renal diet very closely. He's been good, so far, with his labs, but we have cut back on potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas. I eat what he does, mostly, and I'm not diabetic nor in kidney failure. Hasn't helped me lose any weight at all 

[Whamo]

Greek yogurt is a good way to go for protein, cheap.  Add whey protein to the mix.  Food costs should increase 10% next year.  Hard times are coming.  Many economists predict a financial depression after the election, or even sooner.  A war with Iran would mean $10 a gallon gas.  Lord help us.

[kporter85db]

I can get boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.99/lb on sale, other cuts with bone-in for less.

Different cuts of pork for $1.50 - $2.00/lb on sale all the time.

I splurge on whole cuts of beef occasionally but only when on sale and usually less then $4.00/lb.

Those packaged and processed dinners are almost all junk and should not be put in your body.

Water is a whole lot cheaper then gas but if you put that in your car it wont run for very long.

I'm not coming down on you, it's just important what you put in your body.

[kporter85db]

I can get boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.99/lb on sale, other cuts with bone-in for less.

Different cuts of pork for $1.50 - $2.00/lb on sale all the time.

I splurge on whole cuts of beef occasionally but only when on sale and usually less then $4.00/lb.

Those packaged and processed dinners are almost all junk and should not be put in your body.

Water is a whole lot cheaper then gas but if you put that in your car it wont run for very long.

I'm not coming down on you, it's just important what you put in your body.

I wish I knew and believed this when I was younger and I had taken better care of myself.

[Rain]

Lisa,

When i started dialysis i wasn't a meat eater, I would pick at meat.  I use to eat a lot of beans but those aren't renal friendly.   When I started D I had to eat meat, and my grocery bill went up and it went up again a few years later when my boyfriend moved in.  Around 2 years ago I started trying to source our meat from farmers.  We actually ended up saving al ot of money because you don't have the middle man.

If you don't have access to farmers, shop sales.  Also ground beef if fairly inexpensive that you could use it in stir fries and pastas.  I will include some ideas on my blog for renal food on a budget.
What about pork, it tends to be inexpensive??  I know you could spend 4.00 on some pork scallops for 2 people.   Just bread and fry..  (I live in canada to prices are more then in the US)

[Lillupie]

yeah, I would just get tired of chicken and pork every single day or every other day The dollar just isnt stretching like it would if it werent for the daily meat. I am going to have to start eating peanut butter. The money is just not there for me. I am just getting really stressed out because I dont want to hear that my protein is low if I am eating meat every day

Actually greek yougart is actually more expensive then regular yougart. But I Only buy that if I have a coupon.

[Lillupie]

Water is a whole lot cheaper then gas but if you put that in your car it wont run for very long.

No offense but you are being a smartass by saying that and it kind of offended me. I dont add water to my car and I only put gas in my car like twice a month. i drive a car, not a truck or SUV.

Lisa

[jeannea]

I guess my question for you is: Is all this meat eating helping you? Albumin goes down fast but up slowly. It didn't seem to matter what I ate. My albumin was almost never above 3.8 (although that was better than the 1.9 when I started hemo). If it doesn't help don't spend the money. I always told the dietician that was how my body worked and that was the best I could do.

[lmunchkin]

I guess my question for you is: Is all this meat eating helping you? Albumin goes down fast but up slowly. It didn't seem to matter what I ate. My albumin was almost never above 3.8 (although that was better than the 1.9 when I started hemo). If it doesn't help don't spend the money. I always told the dietician that was how my body worked and that was the best I could do.

Not to interupt here, but yes, as a PD patient, Lisa has to eat and consume more protein. Protein is needed for growth, building new muscles and repairing old tissue.  However, protein is lost during PD and it needs to be replaced. If she doesnt eat enough protein, her body will start to break down its tissue and she could become malnourished.

Lisa, I know living on military pay is not that great. Trust me, I know.  But eggs & peanut butter are pretty fair priced, just what ever you try to do, eat with every meal.  Try the whey protein powder on your foods or even mixed with a cup of milk or water.  You will be amazed how quickly your protein level would come up with a couple scoops of whey powder a day.  Its not the best tasting stuff, but I think you will get use to it eventually.

PD just requires more protein because its used more while dialysising through the peritoneum cavity. Ill never forget the constant nagging about "Eat more Protein".  It was so darn frustrating not only to John, but me also!

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Leanne]

maybe you could get a small deep freezer?  Small ones here ( i am in WV) cost around $130 to $150 range.  Or search the papers for a used ones. Then you could do what I do.  We live very tight too, borderline poverty thanks to my dialysis trips etc.  But I buy meat in bulk when it is on sale then wrap individual portions in plastic wrap and then bag them in ziplocs.  Then I just take out the amt I need.

Also, do you like deviled eggs? My dietician had that idea. Devil a dozen eggs and eat a couple as snacks or with meals.  Lots of extra protein and eggs are somewhat cheap.  You can experiment with what you put in them to change them up.  It's a bit easier to eat a couple deviled eggs than a big chunk of meat.  Or it is for me.  Sometimes I feel like a piece of meat sits on my stomach like a cinderblock.

My mom was on D too and she liked cottage cheese.  It is on our ok list so I would put protein powder in it forher and she would eat that with a little fruit.  I dont like cottage cheese so I mix the powder with a little sherbet.  It makes it a little grainy but it still tastes decent. 

[MaryD]

I find with whey powder that the only way I can take it without noticing it is in home made iced coffee.  I have tried putting it in lots of things but it spoils the taste or the texture and makes everything else quite unpalatable.  The weather is starting to warm up here so I know my albumin levels are going to be OK without too much effort.

Lillupie - What about cutting down on meat servings for everyone (including you), but cooking an extra serve when you are preparing a meal but which you can eat as a snack later on?

[Sydnee]

Lisa,

I know how frustrating this can be. When Ed got hospitalized in January the very next day I was on the phone with DFS asking about food stamps. Ed is the only one working and we have four kids. I was in a panic. I knew he would be out of work for several weeks or more. What would I feed my family? I was so happy when we were approved for food stamps. I was flabbergasted when we saw the monthly allotment but found that even though they gave us a good amount we still couldn't cover all the meat Ed needed. The kids and I only eat meat once a day if that. At dinner we pack 1-2  serving for Ed to eat latter. We go through quite a few eggs here.

If it would help  and you have the room for a freezer or extra frig. Ask on a freecycle group in your area (yahoo groups) to see if you can get one. If there are CSAs (community supported agriculture) talk to the farmers you might find they would like to help you. It will not help with the meat costs but it would cut down the other food bills.

 

[kporter85db]

Water is a whole lot cheaper then gas but if you put that in your car it wont run for very long.

No offense but you are being a smartass by saying that and it kind of offended me. I dont add water to my car and I only put gas in my car like twice a month. i drive a car, not a truck or SUV.

Lisa

Well I really wasn't being a smartass. I was trying to help you and using what I thought was a fitting illustration to make a valid heart felt point. Perhaps you are too easily offended.

To tell you the truth, since you are already offended, it sounds as though all you really want to do is whine and complain about your problem instead of finding a solution. I'm sorry I took the time to try to help you.

I'll shut up and go away now, not to offend you ever again.

[Lillupie]

Ken, lol I was so mad at that moment. Yes I get what you were saying. Im just sensitve sometimes. No right now I am living in apartmet with barely room for my dialysis supplies. THere is  NO place to put a freezer.

Yuppers. Deviled eggs. I hadnt thought of that.

We are trying to move on the military base of Ft. Campbell to get an extra bedroom just for dialysis supplies. Meybe then I will have the room for a small deep freezer.

[ChrisEtc]

Ken, lol I was so mad at that moment. Yes I get what you were saying. Im just sensitve sometimes. No right now I am living in apartmet with barely room for my dialysis supplies. THere is  NO place to put a freezer.

Yuppers. Deviled eggs. I hadnt thought of that.

We are trying to move on the military base of Ft. Campbell to get an extra bedroom just for dialysis supplies. Meybe then I will have the room for a small deep freezer.

I eat a ton of eggs.  They're probably $2.50 for 18 eggs. Pork chops are also cheap.  You talked about Mac and cheese for $.99.  Sometimes I see cans of spaghetti with meatballs for a bit more than that.  Probably not the best nutritionally but it has protein and is filling.

[kporter85db]

It's all good Lisa. Sorry I got a little harsh with you.

Keep pressing on. There are solutions to your dilemma.

[drgirlfriend]

The boyfriend and I are on a tight budget and spend around $70 a week on groceries. Believe me, I wish I could do these "stick a piece of meat in the slow cooker with some cheese and a packet of italian dressing mix" recipes. I get sick of trying to come up with stuff to make every week. I have very broad taste in food and he has a very narrow one so I get sick of the whole damn thing.

Eggs are the best albumin suppliers. The boyfriend scrambles a dozen each week and nukes some for breakfast every day. I sometimes buy ground pork and make saltless sausage patties. It's pretty easy and I'd be happy to share the recipe with you. Smoothies with protein powder are good, but you have to find the right powder for you. Lactose is a problem around here so we have to be careful. Speaking of the slow cooker, that thing CAN be your friend. If you do it right you can put together a good meal with leftovers for the rest of your family.

Honestly, you can frequently eat whatever you want if you stay aware and plan your meals accordingly.

[Lillupie]

Yes crockpot is good. But soo many of the recipes what something we cant have. Like I found one recipe that had everything and it sounded good until I read tapocia(sp) pudding. NOOOO grr, we cant have that, so that was one less thing I can make. Most recipes are for stews or shredded pork or something like that.
But if you have a big enough one you can freeze the leftovers and eat them later.

Lisa

[drgirlfriend]

We have a puny freezer in our puny kitchen so I have to use what I freeze in fairly short order. I grew up with a big freezer in the garage and wish I could have one now. If you can spare some room in yours, look into "dump chicken" recipes.

Tell me about this tapioca crockpot madness. I bet you could substitute cornstarch.

Another thing I meant to mention, chicken leg quarters, drumsticks, and thighs are MUCH cheaper than breasts and the nutrition is extremely close. I am liking the range of fat to lean ratio ground beef/chuck that I can get in the stores now, too. I'll mix lean with extra lean to keep the cost down.

[sullidog]

I actually eat packaged lunch meat and my labs are fine, that's not to say you should do it cause what may be working for me may not for you. I also eat frozen foods some of the time do to my visually impairment and because sometimes I don't have the strength to actually cook after dialysis.

[Zach]

Here is a great recipe for meatballs ... eat some and freeze the rest for another time!

Lemon Pepper Garlic Meatballs
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=12313.msg211582#msg211582


 

[gothiclovemonkey]

i eat protien bars, they are kinda high, but you can get a huge thing of them at sams club for like 20 bucks, and one a day, last about a month (not quite.. i want to say its 24 bars?)

i have a lot of trouble with this, and my clinic said if it slips below a certain point they do have a program that covers it, i think either through medicare, or the kidney fund, or someone like that. but it has to be below a certain number, i assume it must be pretty low, because mine is always low, and they continually get on me about it, even though i do try...

and another thing, because ive ALWAYS had great cholesterol (i know, surprising that a fat girl could have good cholesterol lol) but now that ive been trying to eat more protien, ive made myself have really high cholesterol...... apparently eggs are high in it, i didnt realize that, and i ate them all the time, because they are cheap!