Preparing To Chow Down/Hoover

[PrimeTimer]

Since hubby has been very good at sticking to a renal diet and his labs are looking good, we've decided to do the full Thanksgiving meal this year. As you can imagine, this is a BFD for a kidney patient and we are looking forward to doing what they call "Hoovering" and sucking it all up. With the works! Any suggestions on preparing for the big meal? Do you guys starve and dehydrate yourselves in preparation for holiday meals?? The meals I prepare for him are already pretty low in phos, sodium and potassium but wonder if there's anything more people can do to ready their bodies to indulge in all the tasty sins that await us at the dinner table.

[Michael Murphy]

Strictly following a renal diet requires the dedication of a Saint.  Personally I feel that if your labs are ok a little cheating makes the diet more palatable.  Eat a little of the bad food and enjoy,  thanksgiving occurs once a year.

[cassandra]

Hi PT it is like Michael says: he can eat anything, just don't indulge    We don't have Thanksgiving here in the UK (although I think it would be a good idea) but Christmuch lunch is massive, and I still enjoy that, while not eating much of anything, but enjoying everything.


Love, Cas

[Charlie B53]

I maintain to that old "All Things in Moderation" thing which allows me to indulge, slightly.  I just keep somewhat of a tight limit on how much.

Dau and SIL will be coming up for Thanksgiving again this year.  Irritates the Hell out of me as Wife won't allow me to cook.  Instead, Wife and Dau prefer to all go to the buffet for their Thanksgiving dinner.  I much prefer to cook a bird and all the stuffing so that I can have a turkey sandwich the next couple of days.

[Paul]

Early in dialysis, when I realized how unhealthy a dialysis diet is, I asked a dietitian to suggest healthy food that was not too high in the bad stuff. There first suggestion was turkey, which I'm guessing is an ideal Thanksgiving meal (I'm English, so possibly I'm wrong).

I also eat a lot of pasta or rice based meals. I know my family do a lot of cold rice/pasta dishes for party meals. Some contain stuff that is high in potassium, so don't use online recipe sites unless they are on sites designed for us, but you can look up the potassium etc levels of each ingredient and adjust the recipe appropriately.

Also: Do you know you can look up potassium levels on Google? Type "Potassium in apples" without the quotes (obviously replacing "apples" with whatever you want). For about 80% of things Google will give you the answer above the search results.

I would advise going a bit easy before and after the day, but do NOT "starve and dehydrate", just ease up a bit. If he is on dialysis, the machine will help clear up a bit afterwards (but it is not a miracle cure).

In general I would say I mostly stick to the diet. I occasionally cheat (occasional fries, a few lentils and tomatoes in stews, bacon, etc.). Although my liquid levels are too high, everything else is right in the zone. Rule is "a little of what you fancy is OK provided it is not stupid high in anything bad, and as long it is occasional and small portions."

And you can try trading meals. For example, when I was in hospital we were given cereal with our daily milk allowance in the morning. I traded this for water based porridge, so I could have custard in the evening instead.

[PrimeTimer]

Thanks, everyone! I agree, moderation is key. I like Paul's idea about "trade offs". My husband looks forward to the renal Shepherd's Pie every week because that's when he gets to have 2 potatoes (mashed and baked on top of the pie). Maybe instead of potatoes this week I will make it with mashed cauliflower. We plan to have mashed 'taters with our Thanksgiving dinner, so that will be the "trade off". And maybe no dinner rolls until the big meal. Hubby usually has 2 croissants or 2 white dinner rolls at dinner but he can give those up until the holiday. Only a few days and we will be chowing down. Having a little turkey and *gasp* ham. And yes, I've learned to look up the potassium content on EVERYTHING. And if it's not on a label at the store, I don't buy it until I can look it up. I am always reading labels. People see me and probably think I am a picky eater. But it's funny because sometimes I see people picking up the same item after I've picked over the label. It's almost as if they are saying "think I'll buy what that lady is buying". HA....don't think I didn't see you watching me....