Managing Diet and Nutrition with Chronic Kidney Disease

When I first found out I had chronic kidney disease, I was petrified. I have family members who died from this disease. I also have family dealing with it now, including my 91-year-old father and my 48-year-old son. I was not happy to hear the news. Most people just told me to change my diet. I figured that meant cutting out a few foods and using less salt. Well, it was a little more complex than that.

Learning my favorite foods were unsafe

I always thought I was eating healthy. I grew up on a farm, so fruits and vegetables were part of my daily life. My favorite foods to eat were bananas, almonds, and avocados. I told my doctor about my diet. I was shocked when he said I should not eat these foods with chronic kidney disease. The crazy part is that my primary doctor told me I should eat them.

My kidney doctor explained how healthy kidneys work. They remove waste to get rid of excess water and protein through urine. But when kidneys start to fail, waste builds up in the blood. He said it is not about calories or weight. You must watch what builds up in your blood. Sodium raises blood pressure. Potassium can trigger heart rhythm issues. Too much protein can weaken the kidneys.

Watching my sodium and potassium intake

Salt is my main culprit. It is in places I never expected, like cereal, deli meats, and breads. I used to put salt on things that did not need it.

Frozen meals also have a lot of sodium. I like these meals too. We must check the sodium intake before eating. We also need to watch our potassium. This does not mean giving up fruits and vegetables. We just need to watch portion sizes. We should choose lower potassium foods like:

• Apples
• Grapes
• Cabbage
• Cucumbers

I was sitting in the doctor's office one day. A woman told me she reduces potassium by soaking her food in water for 5 hours. It does not remove all the potassium, but it helps. Of course, run these things by your doctor first.

The hidden danger of phosphorus

Phosphorus is an underestimated dietary challenge with chronic kidney disease. I never heard this word until my diagnosis. It is present in nearly all foods with protein. It is also added to packaged items in a form that is easy to absorb. Check your processed foods for this ingredient.

My doctor told me to get my sodium under control first. It was affecting my blood pressure and fluid retention. Next was phosphorus, so I had to be careful with processed foods.

Take it one step at a time

Do not try to do everything at once. It can feel like too much. This issue did not start overnight, and it will not get better overnight. I started by cutting back on sodium and reading labels. Trust me, it helps. If you get too overwhelmed, seek help from a renal dietitian.

Remember, you are not alone.