I am in the hospital due to my own stupidity.

[Mr Ken]

  You like your bananas too much. You need to run away from those things......    Restricted hospital menus are easy. Just think of all the foods you like then say but I cannot have that. Raw carrots!!

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Then, if you need to tack on the diabetic diet as well..

Oh yes, this, for sure. In my HD days, I swore I consumed cardboard for subsistence. Thankfully (not sure if this is the right word...) my potassium was constantly low so I had a high potassium bath and allowed to eat higher potassium foods 2 to 3 times per week. Luckily, I didn't require binders as my phosphorus was low-ish too. In those days, I distinctly remember eating yogurt like it was going out of style. I was so stuck on what to eat.

And then, one of my nephrologists asked if I ate white or brown bread. So, I said white bread, because of the potassium, you know. He replied that brown was better for glucose. So, my head spun. I avoided any diabetic dieticians like the plague because anything they suggested conflicted with the kidney diet. So, gourmet cardboard it was!

[enginist]

How many chocolate-covered bananas will land you in the hospital?  I'm still pre-dialysis, but the diet is a killer.  I indulge my cravings for meat loaf, pot roast, and linguini with clams about once every seven to ten days.  And sometimes I'll wash it down with a glass of sangria. 

[Mr Ken]

How many chocolate-covered bananas will land you in the hospital?  I'm still pre-dialysis, but the diet is a killer.  I indulge my cravings for meat loaf, pot roast, and linguini with clams about once every seven to ten days.  And sometimes I'll wash it down with a glass of sangria.

Depends on what method of the "D" word you are going for. Hemo is more diet sensitive. PD is more forgiving..... You still have to watch no matter. You should be able to sneak by with the clams but take the binder to mind the phosphorous. Also depends on how much kidney function you still have after start the "D" word....  There are a lot of variables here. Each person is different....

[GA_DAWG]

Don't know why meatloaf or pot roast would be bad for you, although it seems shellfish is definitely on the no-no list.

[enginist]

I went vegetarian about two months ago.  I'm hoping that a meatless diet, recommended by my nephrologist, will slow the decline of my GFR.  Katrina, one of the regulars on this site, has attributed the remarkable longevity of her diseased kidneys to a strict vegetarian diet.

[Riki]

I went vegetarian about two months ago.  I'm hoping that a meatless diet, recommended by my nephrologist, will slow the decline of my GFR.  Katrina, one of the regulars on this site, has attributed the remarkable longevity of her diseased kidneys to a strict vegetarian diet.

Make sure your dietician is aware.  I think if I decided to go vegetarian, my dietician would lose it.  She always told me that if it runs, swims, or flies, I should eat it because I need the protein. Personally, I don't think I could handle a vegetarian diet, though I have no problem with beyond meat products

[enginist]

Yeah, Riki, you're on HD and I'm still pre-dialysis.  Different protein requirements.  My limit is about 40 g per day.

[Mr Ken]

Yeah, Riki, you're on HD and I'm still pre-dialysis.  Different protein requirements.  My limit is about 40 g per day.

No way in  am I going to start counting grams of food content ....... I just wing it and keep tabs on my blood results. When I have to start measuring grams of food intake that is when it is time to hang up the hoses for good. 

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I went vegetarian about two months ago.  I'm hoping that a meatless diet, recommended by my nephrologist, will slow the decline of my GFR.  Katrina, one of the regulars on this site, has attributed the remarkable longevity of her diseased kidneys to a strict vegetarian diet.

Make sure your dietician is aware.  I think if I decided to go vegetarian, my dietician would lose it.  She always told me that if it runs, swims, or flies, I should eat it because I need the protein. Personally, I don't think I could handle a vegetarian diet, though I have no problem with beyond meat products

I was a vegetarian for years and including the years on HD. I managed to prolong my pre-dialysis days for years. It spanned from dealing with paediatric nephrologists to adulthood. When I hit Stage 3, I had to begin watching my potassium, as that is key with vegetarian diets, but I never had any problems. While on HD, my protein and iron stores were always alright. A part of this is because I relied a lot on phosphorus rich products and not everyone has such a luxury.

Transplant has been another story. The tx nutritionist set some really high levels for protein and calcium. I mean, it was understandable since it was a double organ tx (higher healing requirements) and prednisone’s side-effects. So, in order to hit that level, I had to include lean meats. I settled on chicken and turkey although I still hate the taste of the stuff. Still struggling with hemoglobin levels post-tx although I mainly eat a vegetarian diet most of the time.

Beyond Meat products are awesome though higher choices in regards to sodium and potassium. I head down to the USA to pick up some of the product line to stock the freezer. And Thank God that our closest A&W is on the other side of town so the Beyond Meat burgers are a rare thing... otherwise I fear they’d need a crane to get me on the scales.

[Mr Ken]

And Thank God that our closest A&W is on the other side of town so the Beyond Meat burgers are a rare thing... otherwise I fear they’d need a crane to get me on the scales.

A&W are still around?? We use to have those stores wonder if it is the same old A&W...

[enginist]

What about an occasional beer on pre-dialysis?  Could I take a Tums or something as a phosphate binder?

[UkrainianTracksuit]

A&W are still around! However, it is my understanding that the Canadian version of the chain has been operating separately since the early 70s.

Enginist, as for beer on pre-dialysis, "generally" patients are allowed the occasional beer. It all depends on where your phosphorus levels stand before you have a cold one. But generally, it is o.k. I drank beer from time to time, with the blessing of my dietician, so you should be alright. You should ask your dietician in regard to whether you should take a binder or not as they'd have your numbers and know how much you take.

Just beware, you'll hear the broken record warning that beer is empty calories that could be applied to "more nutritious choices" and that any alcoholic drinks are to be included in your fluid restrictions. No duh, really, dietician overlords? 

[GA_DAWG]

One beer is kind of like one potato chip. What's the point?

[Mr Ken]

One beer is kind of like one potato chip. What's the point?

Yes but you cannot just have one 

[Riki]

Yeah, Riki, you're on HD and I'm still pre-dialysis.  Different protein requirements.  My limit is about 40 g per day.

No way in  am I going to start counting grams of food content ....... I just wing it and keep tabs on my blood results. When I have to start measuring grams of food intake that is when it is time to hang up the hoses for good. 

That's pretty much what I do.  If a level is too high or too low in the blood work, I try to think back to what I was doing to screw it up.  Blood work after Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are always out of whack, and after a vacation, cuz I'm gonna have fun on vacation.  As long as it's not gonna kill me, I'll do it. *G*

UkranianTracksuit, have you tried the beyond meat burgers at A&W?  Mom and I have been wanting to try them, but we haven't had the chance yet.  A&W is one of the few fast feed restaurants that we like to go in and sit down at, instead of just going through the drive through and going home.  There's also a new vegan restaurant a few blcoks down from where I live that I've heard nothing but good things about

[UkrainianTracksuit]

UkranianTracksuit, have you tried the beyond meat burgers at A&W?  Mom and I have been wanting to try them, but we haven't had the chance yet.  A&W is one of the few fast feed restaurants that we like to go in and sit down at, instead of just going through the drive through and going home.  There's also a new vegan restaurant a few blcoks down from where I live that I've heard nothing but good things about

Yes! I’ve had the Beyond Meat burgers at A&W and they are delicious! I mean, not exactly like a beef burger but the closest you’ll get. They became an addiction over the summer especially when they were on the cover of the A&W coupon book! My neighbors donated their Beyond Burger coupons to me! I don’t have mine “exactly vegan” as I get mayo and cheese.

I used to get a veggie burger from Harvey’s for dinner or lunch after a dialysis session but A&W is much better!

It’s my opinion that it’s best to eat the Beyond Burgers sitting down in the restaurant rather than drive-thru/take home. It hadn’t happened to me but people complained it was soggy when they got home. It’s understandable since it’s a grain/veggie pattie. So, I hope you and your mom get a chance to sit down in there for lunch or dinner soon!

I’m trying to talk my guy into taking me for one after some appointments at the hospital. But as he says, it’s too busy at lunch... so no stop!

[Riki]

We go to A&W mostly for the root beer, and we go in and sit down to get the frosted glasses.  They won't give you those through the drive through.. *LOL*

[enginist]

Okay, I'll admit it: sometimes I'll have two beers.  How much sodium and potassium are in a Beyond Meat burger?

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I love the frosted glasses in the summer! I rub them all over me  like a low grade (verrrrrrrrry low grade) Cindy Crawford Pepsi commercial.

Enginist, it has 1110mg of sodium (got that from the A&W website). As for potassium, it is not listed so when I bought them at the supermarket, I had to do some investigation. The ingredients list the bad stuff of potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate. Then I noticed it says 341 mg per patty of potassium.

Not a very good renal choice but that is the case with a lot of "faux meat" products. But hey, enjoy those coupla beers! 

[enginist]

Yeah, that's a lot of potassium.  But it's not hard to count grams of protein.  We're all inveterate label readers by now.

[Charlie B53]

I'm half confused.  Are we talking about a burger from the A&W Root Beer chain or a market named A&W?

Knowing those amounts of potassium I would probably NOT eat it as I try to stay very far away from much potassium and phosphorus.

I eat mostly very lean meats on my off days.  A zip lock bag of dry cereal during treatments.  My one large cup of coffee with adulterants and a heaping spoon of protein powder and a blueberry muffin EVERY day.   I am fortunate that my labs remain so well near the bottom of the scales.

I do take binders, a lot.  And there are times when I will have a bute of most anything else, just a bite, not even a whole serving.  I figure that all things in moderation applies.    A monthly stop at Taco Bell for three hard shell deluxe, I sometimes remember to have them leave off the tomatoes, but then again, I sometimes forget.  I also add about 4 packets of HOT sauce to each taco.  Since this is a rare meal I don't worry about it.












Sp mod Cas

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I'm half confused.  Are we talking about a burger from the A&W Root Beer chain or a market named A&W?

Knowing those amounts of potassium I would probably NOT eat it as I try to stay very far away from much potassium and phosphorus.

Sorry Charlie! It's a meatless burger from the A&W burger joint. But Beyond Meat products (the company that makes the burger patties) are available in regular grocery shops. And I agree: unless someone on D is given a little leeway in their diet, knows their numbers and what they could include, I would avoid the burger.

But after getting a good report from Infectious Disease, my husband took me for one of the burgers (as he discussed) and I scoffed it down in like a minute. Then he took me shopping. "Shopping is my cardio" is true as I burned off half the burger by the end! 

[GA_DAWG]

Still say there are vegetable patties, but no such thing as a vegetable burger. Burger means meat. The one good thing about dialysis is it gives me ample reason to avoid things like veggie patties and whole grain bread.

[PrimeTimer]

Did any of you experience swollen feet, ankles and legs and/or A-Fib with your heart troubles? Do water pills like Lasix or Furosomide help?